Joanna James
After braving the restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caribbean Islands will open for travel, on October 1st 2021, under strict safety measures and new protocols. If you are planning on visiting the islands, here is a guide on safety procedures on some of the popular islands.
You can avoid going into quarantine when visiting the islands if you have proof of full vaccination, plus, a negative PCR report that was taken seven days before you travelled. According to directives issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visitors who offer proof of vaccination can book accommodation at bio centres certified as safe.
If you are planning to visit the island of Anguilla, you must be vaccinated at least three weeks before the date of arrival. Negative PCR tests too are required; one test should be done five days before your departure date and the other should be done on arrival. Anyone applying for permission to visit the Caribbean's from outside the islands must apply online for permission to enter. Visitors who book stays at resorts, villas, or hotels will not be asked to go into quarantine; instead, they must do a PCR once more on the fourth day of their stay in the nation. For easy Caribbean Island flights, you can check out the scheduled regional airlines such as interCaribbean Airways, which offer routes to over 20 cities within the archipelago.
Aruba Tourism Authority asks travellers visiting the place to take a COVID molecular test 72 hours prior to flying or on arrival. They also require tourists to fill an embarkation and disembarkation form (ED) at the airport as well as purchase an Aruba Visitors Insurance. The fee is applicable to individuals above 14 years of age. You will be required to wear your masks when in public places and outdoors.
To enter Barbados, travellers must show a negative PCR report taken three days prior to arriving. They have to also take a rapid PCR test upon arrival and go into quarantine until results are released. Any unvaccinated visitors arriving in Barbados will be put into a five-day quarantine after which they must do a PCR test. Further, travellers are required to download a BIMsafe app and fill in an immigration form. Plus, for the next seven days, they must keep a check on their temperatures and are required to wear masks in public.
Both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists can visit the Bahamas. Any traveller who is fully vaccinated must upload their proof online. All travellers are required to take an antigen or PCR test within the first five days of coming to the Bahamas. Inter-island travel is allowed only with a negative result. Any children below the age of 12 must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within five days of arriving.
Travellers who are vaccinated must also have a negative PCR test or negative antigen taken five days before they arrive. This applies to unvaccinated children as well. Forty-eight hours before arriving on the island, travellers are required to register with the BVI Gateway portal.
A PCR test taken ten days before arriving is needed to enter the Cayman Islands. Plus, visitors will be asked to quarantine for 10 days on arrival.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
