Bahamas to reopen to overseas visitors from 1 July

24 Jun 2020by James Chapple

The Bahamas will reopen to overseas visitors from 1 July, subject to a stringent new coronavirus testing and certification regime.

James Chapple

News editor

James Chapple

News editor

There will be new entry requirements for visitors when the country reopens

All visitors must present a negative PCR (antigen) test on arrival, the results of which must be no more than 10 days old.

They must also complete an electronic health visa.

There will be no quarantine on arrival requirement, but those showing symptoms will be steered away from other passengers for further testing and evaluation.

Inter-island travellers will be required to complete an electronic domestic travel form prior to departure, which must be shown on arrival, to assist contact tracing efforts, if necessary.

All airport and seaport will arrivals will be subject to temperature checks. Masks will be required wherever social distancing is necessary, such as transiting through air and sea terminals, while clearing security and customs, and at baggage reclaim.

As part of the second phase, hotel and holiday rentals will be allowed to reopen, while domestic and international airlines will be permitted to resume services. The country expects a number of carriers to confirm new schedules over the coming weeks.

The country’s ministry of tourism and aviation said the effort would support and build on existing rules and regulations governing travel to and within the Bahamas, both for citizens and visitors.

Upon arrival, visitors will be encouraged to follow the country’s Health Traveller Campaign, which promotes social distancing, good hand hygiene, and the wearing of PPE.

Several Bahamian ministries have come together to create a new certification agency to enforce its Clean and Pristine programme across the islands, which denotes businesses operating within government-approved health and safety guidelines.

Further reopening of the Bahamas’ borders will be monitored by the government and health officials, with any dates subject to changes in Covid-19 trends.