00:00A month after the devastating hurricane Melissa, Jamaica takes a key step in its recovery.
00:06The United States has lowered its travel alert for the island.
00:10Our correspondent Crystal Hoyer brings us more details.
00:17The United States has downgraded its travel advisory for Jamaica to Level 2,
00:23advising travelers to exercise increased caution.
00:26A shift from the previous Level 3, reconsider travel designation.
00:31The downgrade comes as Jamaica continues its recovery from Hurricane Melissa,
00:36the Category 5 storm that struck the island in late October 2025.
00:41The hurricane killed at least 45 people and caused more than $9 billion in estimated damage.
00:48Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a written statement,
00:51following a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio,
00:55welcomed the advisory change.
00:58He said the decision reflects sustained improvements in public safety and security
01:03and described it as important for tourism, investor confidence,
01:07and people-to-people exchanges between both countries.
01:11Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica's rapid post-storm recovery
01:15helped demonstrate the country's readiness to safely receive visitors.
01:19The story is about a little country that was resilient,
01:25and that in four weeks after, we had all our main infrastructure back.
01:35And in six weeks, we had 90% electricity, water, all our main road networks intact,
01:47and we started to rebuild.
01:52Despite the downgrade, the U.S. State Department warned that violent crime remains a concern,
01:59though it noted that tourist areas generally experience lower rates of violent crime
02:04than other parts of the country.
02:07The advisory also highlighted damage to health care facilities in western Jamaica
02:11following Hurricane Melissa,
02:13and advised travelers to confirm the availability of services before visiting.
02:19Crystal White, Tala Sur, Bridgetown, Barbados.
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