Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Statement on Updated COVID-19 Measures

NASSAU, Bahamas, August 20, 2020 – In effort to effectively respond to and control the spread of COVID-19 in The Bahamas, particularly on New Providence and Grand Bahama Island, new Emergency Orders have been issued by Prime Minister, The Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis.

Based on the number of new cases and other indicators regularly reported on by the Ministry of Health, more aggressive and comprehensive measures are required to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, the following protocols and restrictions are in place:

• A mandatory curfew is in place from 10:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m. daily. Residents are not permitted to leave their homes during this period, except to seek urgent medical care at a hospital.
   
• All business and commercial activity will be closed and employees required to work remotely, with the exception of essential businesses including grocery stores, pharmacies, water depots, gas stations and hardware stores. These businesses are permitted to operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Commercial banks and credit unions may also open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
   
•  Domestic travel is limited to emergencies and for the transport of essential goods or freight services. In addition, persons who undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test no more than ten (10) days prior to travelling, and obtain a negative result, may travel inter island. However, upon arrival to the other island, the person must submit to a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a government identified facility or any other appropriate facility as determined by the Ministry of Health.
   
  • Residents from islands where there are no cases or suspected COVID-19 indicators may travel to and from without submitting to testing and quarantine. At this time these islands include Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay.
     
• Hotels are permitted to operate with essential staff, but guests may not leave the premises except to visit essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, water depots and banks.

Implications for Travellers:

While The Bahamas is looking forward to safely welcoming visitors to its shores, the health and wellbeing of residents and visitors remain of upmost importance. All travellers to The Bahamas will be required to adhere to all protocols and restrictions as outlined in the most recent Emergency Powers Order, inclusive of mandatory curfews.

Requirements for entering The Bahamas include:

• All travellers must apply for a Bahamas Health Visa at travel.gov.bs by selecting the International option and completing all required fields.
   
• All incoming visitors, as well as returning citizens and residents, must show proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, taken no more than ten (10) days prior to the date of arrival. All test results must be uploaded when applying for a Bahamas Health Visa.
  • The only applicants that are not required to provide a COVID-19 test are:
    • Children under the age of ten (10).
    •   Pilots and crew who remain overnight in The Bahamas. 
       
• All visitors and returning residents are required to quarantine for 14-days upon arrival into The Bahamas.
  • Travellers are permitted to quarantine at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations (like Airbnb), as well as on a private boat.
  • All persons must submit to monitoring and install the Hubbcat App on their cellular phones for purposes of contact tracing.
  • After the 14 days, all persons intending to remain in the country will be required to complete another COVID-19 test, at their own expense, to exit quarantine. 

Full details on entry protocols to The Bahamas can be found on bahamas.com/travelupdates.  For additional details and the Prime Minister’s recent remarks and statements, please visit opm.gov.bs.

The Bahamas has remained diligent in efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case. Due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change. The health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority, and public health officials are closely monitoring indicators to determine whether more or less stringent measures will be required going forward.  

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PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty
General Manager, Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
ajohnson@bahamas.com

Weber Shandwick
Public Relations
Bahamas@webershandwick.com