Posted on 07/28/2020

Here are the latest developments across the region:

Antigua and Barbuda

The Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda is now open to international travelers, including Americans. Currently, temperature checks are required upon arrival, and face coverings are required in the airport. Antigua is a popular tropical destination thanks to its 365 white sand beaches, its crystal-clear water and its many popular hotels and resorts that cater to couples and families.

American began a daily flights from Miami. Arriving passengers must complete a health declaration form as part of the screening process and submit proof of a negative virus test taken seven days before boarding. Visitors will be monitored for Covid for up to 14 days of their stay and may be required to undergo testing on arrival or at their hotel. Face masks are required in public.

Aruba

Americans can also travel to the Dutch island of Aruba, which sits close to South America in the Caribbean. Travelers from some states like California and Florida will be required to be tested for coronavirus and upload their results as part of the embarkation/disembarkation process before they depart from the U.S. Visitors are required to have proof of a negative Covid test done within 72 hours of arrival and fill out an embarkation card prior to departure. Visitors who arrive with no test results will be tested at the airport, followed by a mandatory quarantine at their hotels until test results are received. Mask wearing is mandatory in public spaces.

The country reopened its borders for inbound travel for visitors from Bonaire and Curacao on June 15; and the Caribbean (with the exception of the Dominican Republic and Haiti), Europe and Canada on July 1.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas are also open to international travelers, although those who arrive in this island nation are required to present a verified, negative coronavirus test that was taken within the last seven days. Travelers also are required  to upload results of a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 10 days of arrival and provide contact information. An automated response will be provided once the application is completed. The only people approved to travel are those who have received a green color-coded response as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in the Bahamas. Children under 10 are not required to take a test.

Also expect temperature screenings in airports, new rules in hotels and resorts and enhanced cleaning protocols to be in place when you arrive.

As of July 20, 2020:

• Bahamasair will cease outgoing flights to the United States, effective immediately.
• Outgoing flights by U.S. commercial airlines will be permitted to accommodate all current visitors scheduled to return to the United States after Wednesday, July 22nd.
• Private international flights and charters from the U.S. for Bahamians, residents and visitors will be permitted.
• Pleasure craft and yachts will also be permitted.

For more information about the Bahamas travel restrictions, please call our office for more information.

Barbados

Barbados is also open to Americans as of July 12, 2020, although you will need to be tested for coronavirus within 72 hours of departure and bring a negative test result along. Commercial flights from Europe and Canada resume on July 12. JetBlue is tentatively set to return to service July 25 and American on Aug. 5.

Travelers from high-risk countries must take a Covid test within 72 hours of departure and fill out an online Embarkation/Disembarkation card (ED card) prior to arrival. When all supporting documents are uploaded, travelers will receive a bar code via email to clear health and immigration in Barbados.Those without a documented test result from an accredited laboratory will be tested and will be quarantined for at least 48 hours, pending the test results.

Belize

Belize is expected to open its borders to international travelers on August 15. Not all hotels and resorts will open right away, and the ones that do will be considered “full service” properties that can fully accommodate their guests with everything they need on-property. A negative COVID-19 test result from within the last 72 hours will also be required upon arrival.

Bermuda

As of July 1, Bermuda is also open to air travelers, including Americans. No more than five days before departure, visitors must be tested for Covid and present proof of a negative result upon arrival in Bermuda within 72 hours of departure for your trip .You will need to complete a pre-departure form online at least 48 hours from when you’re expected to depart, which requires a $75 fee for each traveler. All visitors are tested again upon arrival and must wait in their hotel room for results (usually six to eight hours). If visitors do not have a pre-departure test, they are tested upon arrival and must quarantine in the hotel for three days until they are tested again. If the test is positive, the quarantine time is 14 days. 

Additional Covid tests are required of all visitors on day seven and day 14 at pop-up testing centers with immediate test results.

Face masks are required in public spaces.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic, which is home to popular tropical destinations like Punta Cana and La Romana, is also open to international travelers, including Americans. Not all hotels are open quite yet, so make sure your book with one of our Travel Consultants. 

Travelers must fill out a Traveler's Health Affadavit and have their temperature checked upon arrival at the airport. If a visitor exhibits symptoms, a Covid-19 test will be administered. If the test proves positive, the visitor will be quarantined at their hotel. Also watch for enhanced safety precautions, and mask requirements.

Jamaica

Jamaica opened its borders to international tourists on June 15, although you can mostly only travel within a "coronavirus-resilient corridor" along the northern coast of the island. This includes destinations like Montego Bay and Ochos Rios. 

In addition, effective for travel July 10 or later, travelers from Florida, Texas, New York and Arizona must upload the results of a negative Covid-19 test, not older than seven days before the date of travel, to the visitjamaica.com site prior to departure so that their arrival can be approved before they've left the U.S.

Screenings upon arrival will include electronic thermal scans. Face masks and social distancing in public spaces will be required of all persons, including visitors. This includes points of entry, ground transportation and accommodation facilities.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is open to travelers, although you will have to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours upon arrival. Travelers will also need to fill out a travel declaration, wear a mask in the airport and make peace with thermal temperature readings when in transit.

If travelers arrive without the test, they will be tested at the airport and must quarantine for 14 days or until a negative result is obtained.

The 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew has been extended through July 22. Masks are mandatory in public. Restaurants, spas, museums, theaters and casinos are open and operating at 75% capacity.

St. Barts

The island of St. Barthelemy began welcoming international tourists on June 22. Visitors are required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arrival and bring their negative test results with them. Passengers will be asked to present the negative test document at check-in. Without the document, boarding will be denied. For visitors staying on the island for more than seven days, a second test will be required during their stay.If you plan to stay for more than a week, you must also agree to be tested again on the seventh day of your trip.

Many restaurants have resumed dine-in service with social distancing and safe serving practices in place. Beaches are open.

St. Lucia

The island nation of St. Lucia began the first phase of its reopening in June, and they’re already rolling out a new tourism marketing campaign aimed at luring back repeat visitors and finding new ones. Effective July 9, travelers must provide proof of a negative Covid test done within seven days of travel and must complete a pre-arrival registration form. Travelers must also indicate which Covid-19-certified hotel they will be staying in: Bay Gardens Beach Resort & Spa, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Ladera, Stonefield Resort Villas and Sugar Beach-A Viceroy Resort. For more information of what hotels are available, contact one of our Travel Consultants.

All passengers will be screened at the airport. Symptomatic passengers will be tested and then quarantined at their hotel until the result is received. If positive, they will be in isolation at one of two hospitals. Mask wearing is mandatory in public spaces.

St. Maarten

While the current roadmap for reopening is always subject to change, St. Maarten plans to welcome Americans back to its shores starting on August 1. You will need to bring a negative COVID-19 test taken in the previous 72 hours with you, and you should expect to have your temperature taken and undergo additional screening at the airport. Masks must also be worn at the airport at all times.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

The first reopening phase, which runs through July 30, requires that all visitors be tested upon arrival (the test is $40) and undergo a 24-hour quarantine in their hotel while awaiting results. Visitors who arrive with proof of a negative test conducted within 72 hours of arrival do not have to quarantine. All travelers must complete an online health questionnaire and submit to screening upon arrival.

Based on data gained during Phase One, travelers will have testing done in Phase Two depending upon their country of origin.

Turks and Caicos

Turks and Caicos is currently set to reopen on July 22 with advanced security measures in place. For starters, masks will be required in all public places until December 21, 2020. 

The Grand Turk Cruise Center will remain closed until Aug. 31. International travelers will be required to obtain certification using TCI Assured, an online portal. The portal will require travelers to submit the following information: a negative Covid-19 PCR test result taken within five days of travel; proof of medical/travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, costs related to quarantine, ambulance care or care at a local hospital; and a completed online health screening questionnaire. Once uploaded, the documents will be verified and a TCI Assured certification issued.

U.S. Virgin Islands

The U.S. Virgin Islands are also open to tourism as of June and of course, they are welcoming Americans from the mainland. Guidelines for tourism ask travelers to wear face coverings when in public spaces, wash hands frequently and maintain social distancing. You will also be subject to health screenings upon arrival.

Any questions you may have about your next Caribbean vacation, please feel free to contact us for more information.

Credit: Travel Weekly and Travel Pulse