The United States has lifted travel restrictions for international travel for fully vaccinated individuals from most countries.
Starting November 8 every foreign national individual wishing to enter the US must prove that they are fully vaccinated and submit a negative covid-19 test.
The approved vaccines to enter the US as of November 8 are Moderna, Phizer, Johnson and Johnson, Astrazeneca, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
There are few exemptions to the vaccination requirements for children under 18, emergency and humanitarian reasons. The CDC also exempt persons from countries with low vaccine availability.
Throughout the pandemic most artists from Jamaica either didn’t have shows or did most of their shows virtually. As the music industry bounces back, its seems only those with exemptions or willing to be vaccinated will be able to fully participate.
The United States is one of the largest music markets in the region accounting for much of the consumption of reggae/dancehall music globally. States like New York already have strict vaccine only policies for certain venues like the Barclay stadium where the recent dancehall Verzuz event headlined by Supercat was held.
In August New York City implemented guidelines around vaccines. Among them barring everyone over the age of 12 from entering large venues without having proof of being vaccinated.
Even then, at least two reggae and dancehall artists have made it clear that come what may, they will not be forced to take the vaccine.
Buju Banton and Tanya Stephens have came out guns blazing against vaccines and other mandated protocols put in place as a means to get back to normalcy or incentivize participation in day to day activities.
Banton who is unable to travel to North America due to a drug conviction was flagged by Instagram for making false claims about COVID-19.
He did an instagram live lashing out at authorities in Jamaica and abroad.
In that Live video he took the time speak directly to his colleagues in the industry.
“Some people who mi love as entertainers too, mi si dem bow out; guh unda. Some a show di mark a di beast to mi people dem and hold it up inna hand sign and meck dem insignia. Becaw dem know weh dem a do and dem want da money yah so much caw a dat a run di earth, so dem a sell everything; even dem very soul.”
Last year Banton made a similar call against mask mandates in a post titled “Free My People”
“We want done with this mask wearing thing innah Jamaica, who fi dead aguh dead and nuh haffi dead aguh just live…Jamaican people need to wake up and me done with the ^&*( me nah wear nuh mask cause mask nuh mek fi man…Free mi people Freee my people now”
He said insightfully.
Meanwhile Tanya Stephens said she won’t be traveling anywhere that ‘Violates Her Human Rights”. Per Dancehall Mag
The Goggle artist said,
“World BIG and a long time me a run up and dung inna it from some bwoy deh pon man coattails a hope dem get a buss. Me good.”
Her comments came soon after the US had announced its intention to put in place the international travel vaccine mandate.
Stephens posted a picture of Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness gathering less than six feet a part while on his visit to COP26 event in Glasgow Scotland last week. In the frame were Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince William and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
“If I know my rule is f*ckry so I won’t adhere to it was a person @andrewholnessjm @christufton at least pretend you think covid is dangerous ffs”
Other countries with strict vaccination travel polices include the UAE, Canada and the UK.
These markets are among the places where reggae and dancehall artists go on tour each year.
See full list of countries and their vaccine requirements here
