Entry Policies Due to Covid-19 for the Caribbean
Due to the remote nature of the Caribbean islands, the pandemic was a little slower to reach some of these countries. However, their location and limited healthcare facilities made the pandemic even more concerning for the residents and leaders of these islands.
After strict curfews and travel restrictions in many parts of the Caribbean early on in the pandemic, the case numbers have started to reduce, and travel to this part of the world is slowly opening back up.
The Caribbean is an area of the world that is almost entirely reliant on tourism, and with the lack of cruise ships visiting the islands, they were keen to restart the economy and welcome back visitors this year.
Whether you are just planning a trip to one of the islands in the Caribbean or are hoping to hop between a few of them, you'll want to ensure you check out the individual country's regulations and requirements for entry.
If the country you are hoping to visit is open to tourists, ensure you follow the regulations properly before your visit. These countries have more limited healthcare facilities than other areas of the world, and so they are very protective over their citizens.
Minimizing imported cases is critical, which is why a quarantine may be imposed upon your entry to one of the Caribbean islands.
It is very common for COVID-19 testing to be required before you enter the country, and a negative COVIS-19 test certificate may need to be presented upon your arrival. Make sure you check out how far in advance you can complete this to ensure you stay within the requested time frame.
On top of that, an online form or application may be needed to enter, where you'll share your personal details to help reduce the spread of the virus. The safety of both you and the local community you are visiting is paramount for this part of the world.
Protect yourself when planning a trip to the Caribbean by ensuring you are fully prepared for the restrictions before your trip.
Bahamas
Feb 15 2022 Incoming international commercial flights are allowed into the country: flights allowed into the country include those from Canada the United Kingdom (UK) the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) while other repatriation and cargo flights are also exempt. Approved ports of entry for air travel include Nassau (NAS/MYNN) Freeport (FPO/MYGF) Marsh Harbour (MHH/MYAM) North Eleuthera (ELH/MYEH) Georgetown-Exuma (GGT/MYEF) Bimini (BIM/MYBS) Cat Cay (CXY/MYCC) and San Andros (SAQ/MYAN). Ports of entry for sea travel will be: Nassau (Atlantis Bay Street Marina Lyford Cay Albany and Nassau Yacht Haven) Grand Bahama (West End - Old Bahama Bay and Freeport - Lucaya) Abaco (Marsh Harbour Government Dock) Eleuthera (Spanish Wells Marina): Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club) Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club) and Exuma (Georgetown Government Dock). Only cruise ships that carry fully vaccinated travellers exempting those under 12 years of age will be allowed to dock. All inbound travellers with a valid COVID-19 PCR test result or full vaccination are exempt from a 14-day Vacation-in-Place quarantine requirement. Asymptomatic travellers who test positive during their stay must self-isolate for 14 days those with symptoms will be isolated at a designated health facility. Commercial flights public transport and taxi service has resumed at 50 percent capacity. Only public ports are allowed to open in the Family Islands. Fully vaccinated travellers wishing to travel inter-island from New Providence (Nassau) Paradise Island or Grand Bahama Island (Freeport) are required to provide a negative COVID-19 rapid antigen test or PCR test not older than three days prior to travel to other islands: unvaccinated travellers must provide a negative PCR test taken no more than three days prior to departure. Commercial activity has been allowed to resume nationwide with restrictions. Weddings and funerals may operate with up to 30 people. Some restrictions to the operation hours of non-essential businesses remain in effect on Abaco (excluding Green Turtle Cay Grand Cay Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay) Eleuthera Harbour Island Great Exuma Little Exuma New Providence Rose Island and Paradise Island between 21:00-06:00 local time daily while dining at restaurants resumed on Monday to Sunday. Gatherings of up to 20 people with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result may resume indoors and 30 people outdoors while salons barbershops spas and places of worship may resume service. Indoor dining is limited to half capacity. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: Social gatherings of up to five people on New Providence and Grand Bahama as well as all Family Islands are allowed for fully vaccinated people only. Gatherings of up to 20 people with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result are allowed to resume. Domestic inter-island travel requires proof of vaccination and a negative antigen test or a PCR test no older than three days for unvaccinated travellers. Covid Pass availability: Authorities did not immediately specify how vaccination status must be presented in order to be exempt from domestic restrictions. Officials have reinstated temporary lockdown and curfew measures following upticks in COVID-19 infections. International travel has resumed. Some 41 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated as of early February. Before travel All vaccinated inbound travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test not older than three days as part of the electronic Travel Health Visa application at least 48 hours prior to departure. Day trip travellers who have spent less than 24 hours abroad or on a second schedule island including New Providence Acklins the Berry Islands Crooked Island Eleuthera and Inagua will be exempt from COVID-19 testing upon re-entry. Inter-island travellers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or an antigen test for vaccinated travellers not older than three days prior to travel. All unvaccinated inbound travellers must provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test not older than three days as part of the electronic Travel Health Visa application at least 48 hours prior to departure. Day trip travellers who have spent less than 24 hours abroad or on a second schedule island including New Providence Acklins the Berry Islands Crooked Island Eleuthera and Inagua will be exempt from COVID-19 testing upon re-entry. Inter-island travellers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test no older than three days prior to travel. Upon arrival Symptomatic travellers will be required to undergo a rapid antigen test and possible PCR test upon arrival. After arrival All travellers two years of age and older regardless of vaccination status must also undergo a rapid antigen test within two days of arrival except those who depart within that timeframe. HubbCat APP is an optional mobile app for contact tracing. As of 1 November 2020 it is no longer mandatory. Masks must be worn in public on board vehicles in airports and while entering and exiting beach areas but not on the beaches themselves. Masks may be removed for individual exercise. Faceshields are not allowed in place of masks. There are no special requirements to exit the country. Social dispancing measures remain in place after a state of emergency and accompanying curfew orders were lifted on 13 November 2021.
Barbados
Feb 14 2022 Restrictions on gatherings and some businesses remain in effect. Facemasks mandates and physical distancing rules are effective until further notice. All residents and travellers must abide by health protocols. Public transport is is allowed to operate at full capacity. However all passengers must be seated and wear facemasks. Pleasure craft and private boat charters are capped at half capacity. Gatherings are limited to 30 people outdoors food and drink consumption is banned in bars and liquor stores and nightclubs are closed and indoor and contact sports banned. All residents and travellers must abide by health protocols including physical distancing of at least one metre (three feet) hygiene practices wearing of face masks and other relevant measures. Businesses can operate from Monday to Sunday and restrictions on beach and park access were lifted as of 14 February. Covid Pass is required for some domestic activities: Approved cultural and sports events may operate if patrons are fully vaccinated or present a negative rapid antigen test result no older than 24 hours. Indoor events are capped at three hours. Covid Pass availability: Authorities did not immediately specify how vaccination or testing status must be presented in order to be exempt from domestic restrictions. Authorities have periodically imposed lockdowns and curfews in line with the epidemiological situation. Borders are open to international travel. Public health emergency-related measures remain in effect. Some 53 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated as of early February. Commercial flights through Grantley Adams Airport (BGI/TBPB) have resumed. Borders have reopened to all travellers. Before travel All travellers are required to present a negative RT-PCR test result no older than three days or a rapid RT-PCR test no older than 24 hours prior to travel. Upon arrival Travellers with a full vaccination against COVID-19 dating back at least two weeks will be subject to random tests upon arrival. After arrival Non-vaccinated travellers must undergo a test five days after arrival. Travellers are required to download BIMSAFE contact tracing app. The app will be accompanied by a monitoring bracelet during the self-isolation. The app is available for Android and iOs devices. Further details can be accessed at bimsafe.gov.bb/. Travellers without the app will be contacted by health authorities for health tracking via phone calls or SMS for seven days or for the duration of their stay whichever is shorter. Unvaccinated travellers will be given a monitoring bracelet for the duration of their quarantine. Travellers with a full vaccination against COVID-19 dating back at least two weeks will only be subject to random upon arrival tests. Non-vaccinated travellers must quarantine in-room at an pre-approved accomodation for seven to eight days and undergo a PCR test on day five for release. Those who test positive for COVID-19 will be assessed at governments quarantine facilities for at least 24 hours or until recovered: travellers must remain on the island until they have fully recovered and returned a negative COVID-19 test. The penalty for breaching quarantine is a maximum fine of BBD50000 (USD24778) or one-year imprisonment or both. Face masks are mandatory in public places. Travellers requiring a COVID-19 test prior to departure are requested to contact pcrtestvisitbarbados.org at least 72 hours prior to travel.