As of June 15th, 2020, The Bahamas have opened their borders to all commercial flights and private yachts and pleasure craft. All visitors will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days of travel, as well as proof of health insurance. All visitors will also be required to fill out a health declaration form upon arrival.
Currently, The Bahamas has a travel advisory in place for all visitors. Visitors are required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 5 days of travel, and must present the test results upon arrival. All visitors are also required to complete a travel authorization application prior to travel. For more information, please visit The Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism website.
What are the current Bahamas travel restrictions?
At present, all islands in The Bahamas are open to international and domestic arrivals, including commercial and private aircraft, as well as private yachts and pleasure craft. However, the Government of The Bahamas may occasionally restrict travel into or out of certain islands.
If you test positive for COVID-19 or show any symptoms upon arrival in The Bahamas, you will be required to quarantine for a period of time. There is no specific quarantine requirement, but you will need to remain in isolation until you are no longer symptomatic.
What documents do I need to travel to Bahamas
US citizens traveling to The Bahamas are generally required to present a valid US passport when traveling. Those traveling to The Bahamas on a cruise may use another Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document.
The following measures are in place throughout The Bahamas: Face masks must be worn in many public spaces and entry into supermarkets, pharmacies and businesses. Hand sanitizing stations have been installed at various locations. Social distancing of six feet must be practiced as much as possible. These measures are necessary to protect the health and safety of all Bahamians.
Do I need a negative Covid test to fly?
Airlines should refuse to board anyone who does not have a negative test result for COVID-19 or documentation of recovery. This is necessary to protect other passengers and crew members from exposure to the virus.
Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to upload proof of vaccination (such as a CDC or government issued vaccine record card) confirming they have passed the two-week immunity period. Proof of vaccination will be uploaded in lieu of the PCR test requirement for unvaccinated travellers.
Do I need a Covid test to get back into the US?
If you are planning to travel to the United States, you will need to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 2 days before your flight. This is a requirement for all passengers, so be sure to get your test done in plenty of time before your trip.
If you are not fully vaccinated, you will not be able to board your flight to the United States. You may be able to board if you meet criteria for one of the exceptions.
Do I need a Covid booster to travel
Please be aware that some countries are now requesting evidence that you completed your COVID-19 vaccine course at least 14 days before arriving in their country. They may also require evidence of a booster dose depending on how long ago you completed your COVID-19 vaccine course. Please check with the relevant authorities before travelling to ensure you have the correct documentation.
A PCR test can tell you if you have an active COVID-19 infection. It is generally used for people who are showing symptoms, and is most accurate when the test is done within 3-5 days of the start of symptoms. You may be able to get a PCR test if you are age 55 or older and have not had a COVID-19 vaccine booster dose, have a high-risk medical condition, or have a weak immune system (immunocompromised).
Do I need a negative test to enter the US?
As of now, there are no entry requirements for American citizens related to COVID-19. This may change in the future, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest travel advisories. As of now, neither a negative COVID-19 test nor proof of vaccination is required for entry into the United States.
PCR tests are the most accurate and reliable tests for diagnosing infections, but they can take up to 48 hours to process in a lab. If you are planning to travel internationally, you will likely need to get a PCR test.
What does fully vaccinated mean
A person is considered fully vaccinated against Covid-19 two weeks after receiving their last dose of vaccine. The vaccines currently available in the United States are Pfizer and Moderna, which require two doses given a few weeks apart. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is a single dose.
If you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can upload your TCI COVID-19 Vaccine E-Certificate when applying for travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands through the TCI Assured Portal. This will help facilitate your entry into the country.
Is vaccination required to enter US?
All non-immigrant, non-US citizens who wish to travel to the United States by air are required to be fully vaccinated against various diseases and to provide documentation of their vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane bound for the US. The required vaccinations vary depending on the traveler’s country of origin, but may include vaccinations for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
This means that if you receive your primary series vaccination(s) on or after January 1, 2019, your proof of vaccination will be valid until September 27, 2019.
Conclusion
The government of The Bahamas has implemented a series of travel restrictions in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
As of March 17, 2020, all incoming travelers to The Bahamas, regardless of nationality, will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result from within the last 10 days.
Incoming travelers who cannot present a negative test result will be required to quarantine for 14 days at their own expense in a government designated facility.
All outgoing travelers from The Bahamas will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result from within the last 10 days.
The Bahamas will be implementing a “travel bubble” with the U.S. states of Florida and Georgia starting July 1st, 2020. This will allow for Bahamians and residents who have a negative COVID-19 test result to travel to and from these states without having to quarantine.
Starting July 15th, 2020, all incoming travelers to The Bahamas will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test result from within the last 5 days.
The Bahamas have a travel advisory in place for visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All visitors must have a negative COVID-19 test result within 5 days of travel and must quarantine for 10 days upon arrival. Visitors are also encouraged to get tested again after 5 days of being in the Bahamas.
