Caribbean Update: Who's Open and What Visitors Need to Know

At this point in time, all travellers must complete a Travel Authorization form prior to boarding their flight and individuals ages 12 and up rare required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 molecular (PCR, NAA, RNA) or Antigen test performed by an accredited lab for which the sample was collected within three days of the travel date.

Quarantine requirements are determined based on the traveller category and most tourists fall into category two (staying within the Resilient Corridors) and are not required to quarantine.

More details can be found at the Jamaica Cares website; https://www.visitjamaica.com/travelauthorization/.

Jamaica Tourism officials say they expect that 50% of tourism workers will be vaccinated by the summer.

"We're incredibly optimistic about the future," Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said during the CHTA press event on Thursday.

Bartlett said some 7,000 rooms could be added to the island's hotel inventory by 2025, including 1,7000 rooms at the Hard Rock in St. James Parish, 950 new rooms for Sandals Resorts and the massive Harmony Cove development west of Falmouth, which he said is worth $7.5 billion and includes luxury hotels, a golf course, spa, marina and private residences.

Until recently, visitors to Grenada had to undergo a seven-day quarantine. As of May 1, those arriving in the country still need to present a negative PCR test taken with three days of their flight. They're also required to get a test upon arrival. But fully vaccinated visitors only need to quarantine for 48 hours. If a visitor is not fully inoculated, they need to quarantine for five days and then take a COVID-19 tests.

A Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate is needed by each traveller including children arriving in Grenada.

Click here for more information: https://www.puregrenada.com/travel-advisory

Grenada will get a new Kimpton Kawana Bay Hotel near the end of 2021 between St. George's and Grand Anse. A new Six Senses property is due to open next year in the southeast corner of the island.

Beginning May 1, the Bahamas is now allowing anyone who has received full doses of COVID-19 vaccine to avoid quarantine, provided their last dose was taken 14 days prior to arrival. No PCR tests will be required, and fully vaccinated visitors no longer need to take a rapid antigen test five days into their stay, officials explained yesterday.

Unvaccinated travellers entering The Bahamas and/or those travelling inter-island from Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco, Eleuthera or Harbour Island, must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR (swab) test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas.

All persons travelling to The Bahamas, and those travelling inter-island, are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs.

Speaking during a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) virtual press conference on Thursday, tourism officials said there's plenty new to check out in the destination, including a new Margaritaville Beach Resort in Nassau that's due to officially open July 1.

Officials said google searches for Bahamas hotels were up 10 per cent in April of this year compared to April of 2019, and that the Out Islands are expected to do quite well this year as visitors look for quiet places where they can easily practice social distancing.

All arriving passengers by air must have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction) test for SARS-CoV-2 using a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab taken within seven days of their flight. (This includes transiting passengers). Children below the age of 12 years, entering Antigua, DO NOT REQUIRE a COVID -19 RT-PCR test.

Passengers who knowingly present false declarations of Covid-19 certificates on arrival will be fined according to the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.

Visitors may be required to undergo testing for COVID-19 on arrival or at the hotel or place of lodging as determined by the Health Authorities.

As of May 8, 2021, the Barbados Travel Protocols changes have been implemented, with notable updates to the second COVID-19 test requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers and new protocols for countries of special interest including Brazil, India and South Africa.

The process for vaccinated travellers is as follows:

COVID-19 PCR test taken with negative result 3 days prior to arrival in Barbados and result uploaded to the BIMSafe App or online at www.travelform.gov.bb and travel with a copy of the results.

Second COVID-19 PCR (or Rapid Test for vaccinated travellers) on arrival at either the airport or approved accommodations.
*While awaiting test results, travellers are required to remain on property at approved quarantine rules for the selected property.

Once travellers receive negative test results from the second test, which may be either the same day, or 1-2 days later, can enjoy Barbados freely. Visitors will continue to respect health and safety protocols including wearing a mask and social distancing.

The process for unvaccinated travellers is as follows:

COVID-19 PCR test taken with negative result 3 days prior to arrival in Barbados and result uploaded to the BIMSafe App or online at www.travelform.gov.bb and travel with a copy of the results.

Use specially designated transportation to approved accommodations and quarantine for 5 days. During this period, unvaccinated travellers are not permitted to leave their rooms/suites.

A second COVID-19 PCR is required 5 days after arrival. Travellers who refuse a second test may be denied entry or be quarantined for 14 days.

Once travellers receive negative test results from the second test, either the same day or 1-2 days later, can enjoy Barbados freely. Visitors will continue to respect health and safety protocols including wearing a mask and social distancing.

The updated Barbados Travel Protocols reflects new testing arrangements for travellers - vaccinated or unvaccinated - who have travelled to Brazil, India, or South African within the last 21 days:

Travellers require a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival.

COVID-19 PCR test conducted on arrival at the airport, followed by a 7-day quarantine period.

After 7-days of quarantine, travellers are required to take a second COVID-19 PCR test.

Once negative test result is received, travellers can enjoy Barbados freely.

Commitment to the preparation for a safe return to travel is furthered by the reopening of additional tours and attractions on the island as of May 2021, including:

Agapey Chocolate Tours

Animal Flower Cave

Banks Beer Brewery Tour

Blackwoods Screw Dock

Barbados Wildlife

Caribbean Cigar Company

Caribbean Wax Museum

Clock Tower & Garrison Monument

Coco Hill Forest

Codrington College

Codrington College Riding Stables

Endless Kiteboarding

Exchange Museum

Exclusive Cottons of the Caribbean

Flower Forest

Glass Creations Inc.

Glory Tours*

Historic Speightstown Experience

Huntes Gardens

Jah Works Stables

Lickrish Food Tours

MariZayra's Nature Sanctuary

Medford Mahogany

Mount Gay Visitor's Centre

Ocean Echo Stables

Oistins Fish Fry

Paddle Barbados

Peg Farm & Nature Reserve

St. Nicholas Abby

The Boatyard

Walkers Reserve Bee Tours

Welchman Hall Gully

*Tours by appointment only, group tours for vaccinated guests

According to the DR website, travellers no longer need to provide a negative PCR or COVID-19 test upon arrival. Instead, airports and other ports of entry will perform a quick, aleatory breath test to between 3% and 15% of passengers, and all those who present symptoms, upon arrival. Passengers under the age of five and crew members are exempt from this procedure.

All passengers will also need to perform a temperature check. Passengers who present symptoms or whose test results are positive will be isolated and attended at authorized locations. Prior to departure, travelers should confirm with their airline provider and airport of origin regarding any testing or other related requirements for inbound flights to the Dominican Republic, or necessary requirements needed upon arrival to their country of origin.

The Government of Anguilla recently announced that the island's borders will reopen to visitors on May 25th, 2021. This is following a month-long closure for the effective management of a cluster of active COVID-19 cases, identified on April 22nd.

light of the successful containment of this recent cluster, and the progressive vaccination program on island, The Government of Anguilla has reduced the quarantine period to seven (7) days for visitors who are fully vaccinated; meaning visitors who have had their last dose of vaccine administered at least three weeks before arrival on island.

"We suffered a temporary setback when we had to close our borders on April 22nd," declared the Hon. Parliamentary Secretary Tourism, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie. "We acted swiftly and implemented a number of proactive measures to manage and contain this cluster of infections, along with an expanded vaccination outreach. The result is that we are confident we can now safely reopen while protecting the health of our residents and visitors."

The previously released measures will remain in place:

Vaccinated and Non-vaccinated Visitor(s)

Apply for entry permission.

Provide proof of health insurance coverage (this requirement pertains only to non-vaccinated visitors).

Produce a negative rt-PCR test administered 3 to 5 days prior to arrival on island.

Undergo a PCR test on arrival at port of entry.

The quarantine period for travelers with evidence of full COVID- 19 vaccination with the final dose administered at least three weeks (21 days) before arrival date will be reduced to 7 days. (Non-vaccinated travelers' quarantine remains as 10-14 days depending on country of origin).

Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of unvaccinated and vaccinated persons will all have to quarantine for a 10-day period, utilizing only approved short stay services.

PHE-approved COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test will be approved for use for persons requiring a test for onward travel only. These tests will not be utilized for persons entering Anguilla or to exit quarantine.

Fees for visitors will be $300 for individual + $200 for any additional person(s) on application.

The fees for visitors staying in private accommodation will be:

1) vaccinated person(s) $300 for an individual + $200 for any additional person(s).

Persons traveling in groups (more than 10 persons) will be required to be vaccinated to enter and conduct any mass gatherings in Anguilla i.e., conferences, weddings, etc.

Spa, Gym and Cosmetology services will be permitted to short-stay visitors if both staff and visitor(s) are fully vaccinated, i.e. three weeks have passed since the final dose of an approved vaccine.

July 1st, 2021 | Vaccinated Visitor(s)

All visitors to Anguilla who are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are required to be fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arrival.

Travelers with evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination will not be required to quarantine on arrival if the final vaccine dose is administered at least three weeks before the date of arrival.

Persons entering Anguilla will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 test administered 3-5 days prior to arrival.

Fully vaccinated persons will not be tested upon arrival.

Visitors must apply for entry permission.

No proof of health insurance is required.

No fees for entry.

Multi-generational families and/or groups with a mix of individuals who are not eligible for the vaccine (i.e. children), will not need to quarantine, but they will need a negative PCR test administered 3-5 days ahead of arrival, and may be tested on arrival and subsequently during their stay. Said tests may be subject to a fee.

The requirements and steps to follow depend on if the passenger is traveling in a holiday package (air and stay at all inclusive hotels) or if they are traveling independently and staying in a private home:

For passengers staying at regular all-inclusive hotels, they need:

1- PCR test 72 hours prior entering Cuba

2- A new PCR is performed at the airport in Cuba upon arrival (this one is FREE)

3- Direct transfer to the hotel they booked.

4- They must always wear mask for the first 24 hours till they get the test results (of the PCR done at the airport).

5 - Canadians need to get another PCR 72 hour before they return to Canada (this PCR is done at the hotel and it cost 30:00 USD).

For clients staying in private homes, they have to book specific hotels where they have to quarantine minimum 5 days.

They also need the same as aforementioned group:

1.- PCR test 72 hours prior entering Cuba.

2.- A new PCR is performed at the airport in Cuba upon arrival (this one is FREE)

3.- Direct transfer to the hotel they booked to quarantine at.

4.- They need a second PCR test at the 5th day. If the test comes back negative, they are free to go…if they test positive they have to go to a hospital.

5.- Canadians need to get another PCR 72 hour before they return to Canada (for travellers staying at private homes, this PCR is done at the international clinics and it cost 30:00 USD).

Here is the website where visitors staying in private homes can book their hotel on line to quarantine at, they also can book the hotel at the airport upon arrival:

https://www.viajescubatur.com/ofertas-en-cuba

List of approved hotels per destination where they can quarantine:

Havana:

1- Vedado

2- Capri

3- Parque Central

4- Comodoro

5- Melia Habana

6- Quinta Avenida

7 - Tulipan

Varadero

Las Palmas

Cuatro Palma

Villa Clara

1- Complejo La Granjita y Los Caneyes

Jardines del Rey

1- Sol Cayo Coco

Camaguey

1- Hotel Plaza

Holguin

1- Mirador de Mayabe

Santiago de Cuba

1- Versalles

Officials note that the COVID-19 situation around the world is fluid, and that requirements could change at any time.