KINGSTON, Jamaica, Oct 23, CMC – The Jamaica government has imposed an immediate halt to all official overseas travel across the public sector until March next year, as the Andrew Holness administration moves to contain expenditure.
The move is also intended to redirect resources towards national recovery and reconstruction following the devastation caused by the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October when the country suffered damage estimated at US$9.9 billion.
A government memorandum sent by Cabinet Secretary Audrey Sewell to permanent secretaries, outlining the new measure, said that the directive also applies to Cabinet ministers, ministers of state, permanent secretaries, senior public officers, heads of government agencies, board members, chief executive officers and other public sector employees.
The restriction will remain in effect for the remainder of the 2026/2027 financial year, subject to limited exceptions including post-Melissa reconstruction and recovery, national security matters, standing bilateral and multilateral engagements, essential tourism promotions and emergencies.
“The existence of an exception category shall not constitute automatic approval for overseas travel,” the memorandum said, noting that “all proposed travel falling within the permitted exceptions must be supported by a written justification.”
It said international conferences, study tours, training programmes, and ceremonial events must be deferred or conducted virtually unless they fit an approved exception.
“The Government must lead by example in demonstrating prudence, restraint and an unwavering commitment to directing scarce public resources towards the country’s most urgent priorities”.
The government has also directed that all previously approved overseas trips that have not yet taken place be reviewed to determine whether they comply with the new restrictions.
CMC/kj/ir/2026