Bahamas To Reopen with COVID Restrictions

With the Bahamas slated to reopen to international travel and tourism on July 1, the country has issued new health protocols for visitors. To protect the safety of travelers and residents alike amid the recent rise in coronavirus cases in the U.S., the Bahamian government has mandated that in addition to temperature screening on arrival, all visitors must present a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative swab test, with the results no more than 10 days old.

Exemptions will include children under two years old, private pilots who do not deplane, and Bahamian citizens, residents, and homeowners returning from English-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries.

All travelers will be required to file an electronic health visa, and masks and social distancing will be enforced. No quarantine will be required upon arrival, but any travelers showing symptoms of COVID-19 could be transferred away from other passengers for further testing and evaluation.

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Other island authorities are adopting similar or even more stringent requirements for international arrivals. As Bermuda reopens on July 1, it will require proof of a negative COVID test taken no later than 72 hours before departure, and upon arrival on the island, every passenger must undergo testing and remain under quarantine in their accommodations until the results are received within 24 hours. Business aviation crews are encouraged to drop and go and will not be permitted to leave the FBO.