SAN JUAN – The Jamaican government has increased aerial patrols to bolster security ahead of U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to the island later this week.

The increased activity over Kingston began over the weekend and the special operations are expected to end Friday, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller’s administration said in a statement.

Obama is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica late Wednesday and to meet the following day with Simpson Miller and several other Caribbean Community heads of state and government.

“Members of the public should not be alarmed at this increased activity, which will be coordinated and monitored by the Jamaica Defense Force and the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority,” the government said.

Other security measures include road closures and significant traffic restrictions and re-routing in Kingston, changes “associated with the need to facilitate movement” for U.S. and CARICOM delegations coming to Jamaica.

Obama and the CARICOM heads of government are expected to proceed from the high-level encounter in Jamaica to Panama City for the April 10-11 Summit of the Americas.