Pilots should carefully consider any flights to the Bahamas
Tourists must present negative COVID-19 test
As the number of coronavirus cases in the Bahamas have fluctuated, government officials have opened, closed, restricted, and revised guidelines for travel to the islands multiple times since first opening to general aviation pilots and private boaters on June 15.
On August 4, Bahamas Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis announced a national lockdown that will last a minimum of two weeks. International travel to the Bahamas during this time remains open.
Travelers will be required to comply with the national lockdown. Everyone traveling to the Bahamas must apply for a Bahamas Health Visa, and everyone 10 years and older, except “pilots and crew who remain overnight in the Bahamas,” must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test that was taken no more than 10 days before arriving on the islands. In addition, visitors must quarantine for 14 days after arriving in the Bahamas, which can be done at a hotel, private club or boat, or rented accommodations.
Pilots should carefully consider whether to fly to the Bahamas during the pandemic, particularly now when the nation has experienced “a surge in hospitalizations and demand for ICU beds.”
GA pilots should note that their passengers will be subject to a $9 security fee when departing the Bahamas; pilots and crewmembers are exempt from the fee.
