Coronavirus (COVID-19)

St. Kitts & Nevis Revise Entry Requirements for Travelers Arriving by Air

Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 29, 2022) – Effective Friday, April 1, 2022, all international visitors arriving by Air may show proof of either a negative COVID-19 antigen test or a negative RT-PCR test to enter the Federation. Antigen tests must be taken within the 24 hours prior to arrival; RT-PCR tests must be taken within the 72 hours prior to arrival. This is a revision of the previous requirement, which only allowed for RT-PCR tests.

“The Federation is primed to continue welcoming visitors through the spring and summer months. We are fully open for visitors, and we are pleased to share revised entry protocols that make air travel to the destination easier for our international guests,” said Lindsay F.P. Grant, Minister of Tourism, Transport and Ports. “We are confident that these amended entry requirements will aid in the rebound of our air arrivals, and the ongoing recovery of our tourism industry and related economies.”

“Spring and summer are ideal times to experience our destination and easing our entry processes means more seamless arrivals for our guests,” added Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, CEO of the St. Kitts Tourism Authority. “We look forward to travellers immersing themselves in our quintessential Caribbean experiences this season, whether they’re seeking a relaxing escape, the adrenaline of the outdoors, exceptional cuisine, live music, or a destination rich in history.”

Only fully vaccinated visitors may visit St. Kitts and Nevis. Exceptions are in place for children under 18 as well as citizens, residents and returning nationals of the Federation. Children ages 11 and under who are accompanying their fully vaccinated parents or guardians take the vaccination status of their parents. Unvaccinated children ages 12-17 must test upon arrival and vacation in place with all family members while awaiting test results.

For all the Travel Protocols and Requirements remaining in place for the Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis, including the submission of negative test results, please visit https://www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-requirements.

Below are the travel requirements for fully vaccinated visitors as of April 1, 2022:

• All visitors 18 and older must be fully vaccinated. A visitor is considered fully vaccinated when two weeks have passed since receiving their second dose of a two dose vaccine series (Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm or Sinovac), or two weeks after they have received a single dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). Mixing of approved vaccines for St. Kitts and Nevis is accepted.
  • Unvaccinated children ages 12-17 will need to take a COVID-19 test (paid for by visitor) upon arrival; the entire family will need to vacation in place until receipt of negative COVID-19 test.
  • Children ages 11 and under take the vaccination status of their parents.

Submit negative COVID-19 test results; visitors may choose between:

• RT-PCR negative test results from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEO 17025 standard, taken 72 hours prior to travel
• Negative antigen test results from a CLIA/CDC/UKAS approved lab accredited with ISO/IEO 17025 standard, taken 24 hours prior to travel.
• Travelers should note that no self-samples or home test will be considered valid.
• Fill out the embarkation form and all other supporting documentation.
• Fully vaccinated visitors will be required to submit a copy of their official vaccination record card including dates when doses were administered.
• All incoming visitors must have a hard copy of their negative RT-PCR or antigen test results, and vaccination record card.
• Forms must be submitted no later than 24 hours prior to travel: visit here to access form, upload test results and vaccination record card.

Health Screening Questions:

• If the visitor’s application has not been flagged by Health Officials, visitors will be automatically processed and directed to Immigration.
• In the event a visitor’s application is flagged, they will undergo health screening questions and if they exhibit any covid symptoms, the visitor will be required to take a COVID-19 test on site at the visitor’s expense.

• Antigen tests are available for outbound air visitors whose countries of origin accept approved rapid testing upon return from international destinations. RT-PCR testing is also available. The Federation has removed the exit testing requirement for visitors whose countries of origin do not require return testing.

Anguilla Lifts Travel Authorization Requirements for Fully Vaccinated Visitors, Effective April 1st, 2022

The Valley, Anguilla, March 28, 2022:  Anguilla’s Ministry of Health has released new guidelines for Anguilla’s entry protocols, in accordance with their evolving COVID-19 Exit Strategy. The new guidelines will come into effect on Friday, April 1^st, 2022.

1. As of April 1^st, 2022, all fully vaccinated travellers to Anguilla who are 18 years and older will no longer need to apply for permission to enter the island via the travel portal at IvisitAnguilla.com.  They will still need to present evidence of full vaccination status with an approved vaccine and a negative COVID-19 test; that is an NAA/PCR/RNA test taken within 3 days of travel or a rapid antigen test taken within 2 days of travel. This information must be presented to the aircraft, ship, agent or fixed based operator.
2. The arrival testing will be discontinued for persons who have been fully vaccinated within the last six months, and for persons who have taken a booster dose where completion of the primary series (full vaccination) occurred six months or more prior to arrival; a valid negative test result must be presented pre-arrival.
3. Vaccinated adults and minors, who were fully vaccinated with a complete primary course more than 6 months prior to arrival, but have NOT had a booster dose, are still considered fully vaccinated and will not need to apply for entry via the portal. They shall, however, be subject to testing on arrival, at their own expense and a valid negative prearrival test result must be presented. The testing fee is US$50.
4. Unvaccinated visitors under 18 years old are only permitted to enter Anguilla if they are accompanied by fully vaccinated travellers. It should be noted that the exemption for pregnant women is removed given that several COVID-19 vaccines are now approved for use in pregnancy.
5. Persons arriving into Anguilla without the appropriate documentation (proof of vaccination and test results) will be required to return to their country of origin; and if it is not possible to return, they shall complete arrival and exit tests, and quarantine for 5 days at their own expense. Each visitor that is allowed to quarantine shall pay the Government of Anguilla a fee of USD$200 in addition to any fines for unapproved entry.
6. Unvaccinated visitors who have been granted a medical exemption will be required to apply on the entry portal, test on arrival, quarantine for 5 days and receive a negative test result to exit quarantine. Accordingly, the fee is USD$100 per person.

For information on Anguilla please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; YouTube; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla

Antigua and Barbuda Lifts Travel-Testing Requirement

JOHN’S, ANTIGUA (March 16, 2022) – The Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda has as of March 16, 2022, lifted the travel testing requirement for fully vaccinated visitors to the destination.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism and Investment, The Honourable Charles Fernandez said, “Our aim is to continue to ensure travellers have a safe vacation in Antigua and Barbuda, in adherence with the covid-19 protocols created by the Government to responsibly manage the various stages of the pandemic and maintain the health and safety of the population.”

CEO of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority said, “The announcement of the removal of the travel testing requirement, will reduce travel costs and prove to be a compelling enough incentive for fully vaccinated visitors to book travel to the destination. It is a development that will make a positive impact on our tourism rebound, and most importantly to the persons who are employed within the industry.”

Antigua and Barbuda’s latest travel advisory as outlined by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda includes:

1. Fully vaccinated arriving passengers are not required to present a PCR/Rapid Antigen Test negative result to be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda, (unless they show symptoms of possible infection). This includes transiting passengers.
2. Fully vaccinated passengers showing symptoms of possible infection may be required to submit to a RT PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 upon arrival at their own expense. Instructions on permissible activities while awaiting results will be provided by Port Health officials.
3. Partially/unvaccinated British citizens en route to, and partially/unvaccinated residents of, Montserrat are permitted to land in Antigua and Barbuda and transit via aeroplane from V.C. Bird International Airport to Montserrat. Such passengers will not be permitted to leave the airport prior to departure.
4. Unvaccinated minors between the ages of five and eighteen years old must present a negative RT PCR test of four days or fewer from date of testing.
5. Children below the age of five (5) years entering Antigua and Barbuda, DO NOT REQUIRE a COVID -19 RT-PCR test.
6. The wearing of face masks in public spaces is actively encouraged throughout Antigua and Barbuda and social/physical distancing protocols should still be adhered to. Therefore, all passengers arriving in Antigua and Barbuda are encouraged to wear face masks wherever there are gatherings of significant numbers of people e.g., ports, supermarkets, bars and clubs.

Antigua and Barbuda is fully open, and visitors to the destination can expect to enjoy a range of excursions, attractions and dining experiences, to include newly opened restaurants and tours. Beaches are open and all curfew restrictions have been removed.

For the March 16, 2022 updated travel advisory go to www.visitantiguabarbuda.com

The Bahamas Relaxes Protocols as COVID Cases Decline

NASSAU – Bahamas, 2nd March, 2022 – The Government of The Bahamas has relaxed the after-arrival Covid-19 testing mandate, as a result of declining cases and International protocol adjustments.

Effective immediately, all persons travelling to The Bahamas are no longer required to take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on the fifth (5th) day of travel regardless of vaccination status. However, visitors must follow the Covid testing requirements for return to their respective countries.

“It is important to remain fluid and adapt our protocols to reflect a changing environment”, said Acting Prime Minister the Honourable I. Chester Cooper, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation, “and we are pleased to be able to eliminate The Bahamas’ testing requirements”.

Our visitors are required to follow prescribed Entry protocols including, applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs and uploading their pre-departure test results, taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival. Visitors should visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates to review accepted forms of testing for entry based on vaccination status. An island-by-island list of approved testing sites is available at Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

“Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the strong desire for travel to The Bahamas has not diminished,” said Latia Duncombe, Acting Director General, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. “We remain positioned for a steady tourism recovery, and we will continue to assist efficiencies of travel-related requirements for our beloved visitors, while protecting the health and safety of everyone.”

For full details on current COVID-19 protocols for all travellers, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Amendment to Protocols for Entry to Dominica

Roseau, Dominica – February 24, 2022, The Ministry of Tourism International Transport and Maritime Initiatives announced new measures for COVID-19 pre-arrival and entry protocols for travellers to Dominica with immediate effect.

Hon Denise Charles, the Minister for Tourism, International Transport, and Maritime Initiatives indicated that this move is yet another responsible decision in managing the safety of travellers while allowing greater convenience in their travel journey. We are optimistic that the tourism stakeholders will profit from greater arrivals as a result of the relaxation of these protocols, as we have harmonized the protocols for both air and sea travel, allowing visitors to choose their preferred method of transportation to visit Dominica.

The major amendment indicates that All travellers are required to:

• Complete a health questionnaire online before arrival in Dominica at http://domcovid19.dominica.gov.dm and can complete it on arrival if they experienced problems completing it prior to boarding.
• Upload a negative PCR test result from a swab taken within 72 hours prior to arrival OR upload pre-arrival negative Rapid Antigen Test result from a swab taken within 48 hours prior to expected arrival time into Dominica.

Prior to boarding airlines or other travel carriers, travellers must also present a Negative PCR test result OR a Negative Rapid Antigen Test result.

• Upon arrival in Dominica, fully vaccinated travellers shall be medically cleared after documents have been validated. For un-vaccinated travellers, the protocols for disembarkation remain unchanged. Therefore, un-vaccinated travelers shall take a Rapid Antigen test and proceed to a Safe in Nature certified property for at least 5 days.

These revised protocols are to be applied to travellers to Dominica by air and sea. All other protocols for un-vaccinated protocols remain unchanged.

Additionally, the limitations previously placed on ferry operations regarding a limit on the number of passengers and number of calls per week have been lifted.

Director of Tourism, Colin Piper indicated that the change in protocols allowing pre-arrival Antigen testing has been requested from potential visitors in the US and the French West Indies who have had difficulties procuring PCR test results within the testing window. This will benefit all tourism stakeholders, especially accommodations, who have experienced cancellations due to potential visitors’ inability to obtain the required tests in time. With the new protocols, lifting of Ferry restrictions, and direct American Airline flights, visitor arrivals are expected to increase.