Island Update: COVID-19 and Your Travel Plans (Updated)
Since our last update, almost all the islands in the Bahamas and Caribbean have now re-opened their borders to foreign travelers. Each island has different procedures and regulations. Many of the countries require a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test and an application for pre-authorization to enter the country. Some countries require proof of proper medical insurance to enter the country. In this blog, we’ve outlined the general COVID-19 information you should know before you go and as you’re planning your next trip to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
For more information to plan your next trip to the islands, purchase the AOPA Pilot Guides. Use offer code: GUIDESFREESHIP for free shipping!
Our friends over at the Association of Bahamas Marinas have put together a list of COVID-19 testing sites in Florida and throughout the United States with quick turnaround times to ensure you get your negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test within the required window of time before you arrive at the island you’re visiting. Visit their blog:
www.blog.bahamasmarinas.com/2020/08/30/covid-19-rt-pcr-testing-sites/
Follow the Association of Bahamas Marinas on Facebook for quick and easy-to-process Bahamas COVID-19 updates.
Anguilla
www.Beatcovid19.ai/apply/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
To enter Anguilla, all travelers–including locals–must apply for entry at the COVID-19 government website. All travelers are required to:
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Provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test conducted 3-5 days before arriving.
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Have insurance that covers medical costs associated with COVID-19
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Complete the application and health screening online (link below)
If the application is approved and after the provided documents are verified, travelers will receive a pre-authorization certificate via email. Travelers may be contacted for more information before an application is approved.
While traveling to and visiting Anguilla, travelers are expected to are expected to wear a mask within 3 feet of others and practice preventative measures while traveling.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers are required to:
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Travelers must wear a mask the entire time they are at the airport, including departing the plane.
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Provide the hardcopy of the negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test concluded 3-5 days before arriving
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Undergo a mandatory COVID-19 RT-PCR test and health screening upon arrival
Transportation will be prearranged for arriving travelers. Travelers will be transported to their accommodations to await test results.
All travelers are required to remain quarantined for at least 10 days or until the mandatory COVID-19 PCR test comes back negative. Travelers may be required to undergo regular health monitoring while visiting.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces and when social distancing is not possible.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
Antigua & Barbuda
www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/travel-advisory/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers ages 12 and older arriving by air are required to provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test conducted within 7 days of arrival to Antigua and Barbuda.
Forms: A Traveler Accommodation must be filled out before arriving. Thie can be found in the link above.
Medical insurance is not required to travel to Antigua and Barbuda.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers must wear a mask the entire time they are at the airport, including departing the plane.
A health declaration must be filled out and provided to the Port Health Authority on arrival by the head of the family or all passengers. A Quarantine Directions Form may be required to be signed.
All travelers will be monitored up to 14 days by health officials and may be subject to further COVID-19 testing on arrival or during the travelers’ stay.
All travelers must take certified transportation from the airport to their accommodation. Family and friends are not approved to transport travelers upon arrival in the country.
COVID-19 tests in Antigua and Barbuda are US$100. Test results turnaround can take between 48-96 hours. Travelers can be released early from the mandatory 14-day quarantine by producing a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test provided by the Quarantine Authority.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks that cover the nose and mouth are required in all public spaces. *
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
*Masks are not required to be worn on the beach when social distancing requirements are being met.
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers are required to complete an Embark/Disembark Card (or ED Card) online with approval to be granted entry into Aruba. The ED Card must be complete within 4-72 hours of arrival.
Travelers from most of the United States are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or RT-PCR test conducted within 12-72 hours before arriving in Aruba. All travelers 15 and over are required to be tested.
All travelers are required to have Aruba Visitors Insurance.For detailed information on the insurance, visit the link above. The cost of the insurance starts at $10/day for the first week and decreases in cost per day based on the length of the stay.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers must wear a mask the entire time they are at the airport, including departing the plane.
A temperature check and health screening will be taken upon arrival. If the temperature check and health screening are clear, there is no required quarantining. If any travelers show COVID-19 symptoms during the health screening, the traveler(s) showing symptoms will be isolated and have a COVID-19 RT-PCR test performed. All other accompanying travelers will be transported to their accommodation and required to quarantine until a negative resultis produced.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces and when social distancing is not possible.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
PRE-DEPARTURE:
Travelers are required to complete the electronic Health Visa by at www.travel.gov.bs. The Health Visa takes up to 72 hours to process. Travelers should provide plenty of time to ensure this is processed in time.
Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result conducted no more than 5 days before arriving. Children under 10 are not required to take a COVID-19 test.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers must wear a mask the entire time they are at the airport, including departing the plane. Travelers will have their temperature checked. A 14-day quarantine is required for all travelers.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces. *
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
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Curfew is in place from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. daily, when travelers must return to their respective accommodations. Travelers can roam the accommodation property during curfew hours.
* Masks are required when entering and exiting the beach but not required while on the beach when social distancing requirements are being met.
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers are required to complete the electronic Customs/Immigration form at the link above and submit it 24 hours before arrival.
Travelers from the United States are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 72 hours of arrival. Travelers should bring a hardcopy of the test with them while traveling. Children under 5 years of age are not required to provide test results unless an accompanying traveler has positive test results.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Masks must be worn the entire time at the airport. All travelers will undergo a health screening at the airport upon arrival.
Travelers from the United States that present their negative COVID-19 PCR test results will be quarantined for 14 days at an approved accommodation at the expense of the traveler OR at a government facility free of charge and will undergo health screenings daily. The option to take a second test will be given between 5-7 days to reduce the length of the quarantine.
Travelers that do not present a valid hardcopy of their negative COVID-19 PCR test will be required to take one at the airport and will be held there or at a government facility until a negative result is produced.
Tests completed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness at the airport are provided at no charge.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
British Virgin Islands– CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/british-virgin-islands/entry-requirements
The British Virgin Islands borders are still closed to tourism until further notice.
Cayman Islands – CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
www.exploregov.ky/faqs/covid-19-travel-tourism
Airports and ports are still closed to all international non-essential travel until at least September 30th.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers are tested upon arrival for free. Travelers must quarantine at their accommodation until a negative test result is produced, usually in 24 hours max.
United States' travel to Cuba has become more and more restricted. For more information, visit: www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2019/june/05/new-rule-ends-private-flights-to-cuba
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers are required to:
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Submit a health questionnaire for at least 24 hours before arrival.
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Upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 24-72 hours of arrival. *
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Bring the hardcopy of the negative test result and the confirmation of the health questionnaire on the trip.
*Children under 5 years old do not need to be tested unless an accompanying traveler has tested positive.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers will undergo a health screening and a Rapid Diagnostic test.
If the Rapid Diagnostic test is negative, the traveler must quarantine for 5 days at a government-certified private property or a government quarantine facility.
If the Rapid Diagnostic test is positive, the traveler must take a COVID-19 PCR test immediately and will await results at a government-approved facility at the cost of the traveler.
A PCR test will be administered to all travelers on day 5.
PCR tests are US$40. A stay in the government quarantine facility is $150 the first night and $90/night onward. Meals are charged separately.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene and good respiratory practices
Dominican Republic
www.godominicanrepublic.com/newsroom/coronavirus/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 5 days of arrival through September 14th. Children under 5 years old are exempt from testing.
UPON ARRIVAL:
All travelers must socially distance and wear masks upon arrival.
Until September 14th, if no test is provided, a rapid test will be performed upon arrival at no cost. All travelers will undergo health screening upon arrival.
Starting September 15th, a random 3-10% of arriving passengers will undergo a quick breath test to screen for COVID-19. The breath test will also be administered to those exhibiting symptoms.
Also starting September 15th, upon check-in at all travelers’ accommodations, all travelers will be offered temporary COVID-19 insurance for free through December 31st, 2020.
All travelers must complete and submit a Traveler’s Health Affidavit.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
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Curfew: 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Monday-Friday, 5:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Exceptions to curfew: being transported to/from an airport.
Grenada
covid19.gov.gd
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers are required to:
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Complete and submit the Health Declaration form
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Provide proof of insurance or sign a liability of cost waiver
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Download the Government of Grenada’s Content Tracing App. The app must be kept on your phone for the duration of your quarantine period. Travelers will be required to wear a geofencing watch for the 14-day quarantine.
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Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 7 days of arrival.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers must present a hardcopy of the negative COVID-19 PCR test, the Health Declaration form, and proof of the app download.
All travelers will be PCR tested within 48 hours of arrival free of cost.
Travelers will be quarantined for 14 days at a state-approved quarantine facility or approved accommodation at the travelers’ expense. State-approved quarantine facilities are US$50/night and does not include meals.
Travelers can be deemed cleared after producing two negative PCR tests within 48 hours of each other. These additional PCR tests are USD$150 each.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
Guadeloupe– CLOSED TO UNITED STATES UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
www.guadeloupe-islands.com/reopening/
The travel ban on the United States is being evaluated every two weeks.
For travelers outside of the United States, a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 72 hours of arrival is required.
Haiti – NOT RECOMMEND TO TRAVEL
It is not recommended to travel to Haiti at this time.
No PCR testing is required at this time, but temperatures are taken upon arrival.
It’s unclear if there’s a mandatory quarantine or not. If it is not currently implemented, 14-day quarantine for all international travelers is on its way.
A Health Declaration card will need to be completed upon arrival.
Jamaica
www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers from the United States under 12 years old must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 10 days of arrival in order to submit a Travel Authorization application.
Travel Authorization applications may be completed and submitted up to 5 days before arrival but must include the negative COVID-19 PCR test result to be eligible to submit. Application processing may take up to 48 hours to process with application status updates being sent via email. Travelers must have a Travel Authorization certificate to enter Jamaica which is sent after approval of the application.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers from the United States are subject to health screenings and risk assessments upon arrival and may be subject to additional testing at the airport.
All travelers that have passed all testing and are in the clear will be released to the ‘Stay in Resilient’ corridor. This corridor includes all approved tourist attractions and accommodations. Travelers must travel use ground transportation approved by the Tourist Board Act.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
Martinique
www.us.martinique.org/discover/travel-alerts
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers under 12 years old must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 72 hours of departure. Travelers must also present a sworn statement upon arrival of good health and that the travelers are not aware of encountering any confirmed cases within 14 days of arriving in Martinique.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
St. Barths
www.comstbarth.fr/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers under 12 years old must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 72 hours of departure. Travelers must also present a sworn statement upon arrival of good health and that the travelers are not aware of encountering any confirmed cases within 14 days of arriving in Martinique.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
St. Kitts & Nevis– CLOSED UNTIL OCTOBER 2020
www.nevisisland.com/
The airports are still closed with no official reopening date.
St. Lucia
www.stlucia.org/en/covid-19/
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers coming from the United States are required to complete the Travel Registration form prior to departure.
All travelers over 2 years old are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 7 days of arrival.
Travelers must have confirmed reservations in a COVID-19 certified accommodation for the duration of their trip, the first 14 days of a longer visit or approval to join a vessel immediately after arrival.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers will be subject to screenings and may be subject to additional testing.
Travelers are required to stay at their certified accommodation for the duration their quarantined first 14 days except for:
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Medical emergencies
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To participate in tours
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For return travel
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces.
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
St. Maarten
www.sintmaartengov.org/government/VSA/Health-Updates/NOVELCORONAVIRUS/Pages/default.aspx
PRE-DEPARTURE:
All travelers are required to:
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Complete health declaration forms online 72 hours prior to arrival and bring a hardcopy with them.
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Provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 72 hours of arrival.
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers will need to go through the airport thermal scanner. Travelers will need to show Immigration their health declaration confirmation and hardcopy of the negative COVID-19 PCR test results.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces when social distancing is not possible
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
St. Vincent & The Grenadines
www.gov.vc/index.php/visitors/covid-19-protocols
PRE-DEPARTURE:
Travelers are required to:
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Complete the Pre-Arrival Form
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Provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 7 days of arrival
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Have reservations for a minimum of 5-day stay, fully paid, at an approved Ministry of Health accommodation
UPON ARRIVAL:
Travelers are required to:
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Provide the hardcopy of their negative COVID-19 test and Pre-Arrival form
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Be re-tested upon arrival. Test results should be available within 24-48 hours. Must re-test Day 4 and 5 of quarantine and can leave quarantine after a negative test is produced.
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Immediately be transported to their accommodations for a mandatory 5-day quarantine.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces when social distancing is not possible
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
Trinidad & Tobago– CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
http://www.health.gov.tt/sitepages/default.aspx?id=297
The airports, beaches, and rivers on Trinidad & Tobago are still closed to international travelers.
Providenciales Airport is open for international tourism.
All travelers are required to obtain pre-authorization via the above link.
All travelers over 10 years old are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test result conducted within 5 days of arrival.
HEALTH PROCEDURES WHILE VISITING:
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Masks must be worn in all public spaces when social distancing is not possible
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Social distance with a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and other travelers
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Healthy hygiene practices
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