Coronavirus (COVID-19)

New Travel Health Insurance Now Available for Purchase Online

Belize City,  Belize, February 7th, 2022:  The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is pleased to announce that the travel health insurance required from all visitors upon entry to  Belize with effect from Feb. 15, 2022,  is now available for purchase online at www.belizetravelinsurance.com

The Belize Travel Insurance is mandatory and will help protect travelers against incurred medical and non-medical expenses, if they test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Belize.

The Insurance  Plan, available for $18.00 US,  provides coverage for up to $50,000 USD in medical expenses related to treatment of COVID-19 for a period of 21 days including lodging expenses due to quarantine up to $2,000 USD (max $300/day USD). Travelers will also be covered for emergency assistance services such as air evacuation and emergency expenses related to pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, it will also cover trip cancellations and expenses incurred by COVID-19 positive travelers for extended stays.

Some important entry highlights are listed below:

• The Belize Travel Insurance is available for purchase online at www.belizetravelinsurance.com This link is also available on the BTB websites at www.belizetourismboard.org and www.travelbelize.org
  Please click HERE for a list of FAQ’s.
• Airlines are not required to verify that a traveler has a purchased insurance policy upon check-in.  Verification of travelers will take place at the Phillip Goldson International Airport in Belize by the Immigration Department of Belize.
• It is recommended that travelers purchase the Belize Travel Health Insurance prior to their travel to Belize. However, purchases can be made upon arrival at the Philip Goldson International Airport or at Belize’s land borders.
• Exempted from purchasing the insurance are QRPs, Belizeans & permanent residents, foreign homeowners, long-stay non-nationals, Peace Corps, military personnel, airline crew and persons in Belize for less than 24 hours are exempted.
• Please visit www.travelbelize.org/health-safety/for more information on the Belize Safe Travel Requirements.

In the past year, Belize has implemented several traveler protocols to keep visitors feeling safe, including the Tourism Gold Standard Program which enables travelers to seamlessly plan their vacation with certified hotels and tour operators (an entry requirement). The new Travel Health Insurance mandate underscores Belize’s commitment to health and safety, enhancing travel confidence and giving visitors peace of mind to schedule that well-deserved vacation for 2022 and beyond.

Statia Remains Cautious While Further Easing the COVID-10 Measures

The Public Entity St. Eustatius strongly advises Statian residents to remain cautious by taking personal responsibility (respecting hygiene guidelines, getting tested and vaccinated) while the government further eases the COVID-19 measures as of Tuesday February 1^st, 2022. A maximum of 25 persons (instead of now 15) is allowed to be inside the restaurants and bars, or 50 percent of the full capacity. Dancing is still not allowed. Schools, day care centres and out of school organizations can allow 25 students per class instead of 15. The easing of measures is not yet applicable to supermarkets and non-essential businesses.

Gatherings will be once again possible as of February 1^st, 2022. However, a maximum of 25 persons is allowed or 50% of the capacity of the venue. For indoor and outdoor sport activities a maximum gathering of 25 persons is also applicable. Both Government Commissioners repeat the call to the residents to get vaccinated and to get tested when not feeling well. “Considering the high number of infections, worldwide, and the contagiousness of the Omicron variant, it is impossible to get and keep Statia COVID free. Therefore, we have a shared responsibility to protect the vulnerable groups in our community. These are the elderly and persons with underlying health conditions,” says Government Commissioner Alida Francis.

The virus is spread on the island, and it is expected that it will be around in the coming months. “The overall vaccination percentage of the population is still too low, 50%. The risk during an outbreak is that non-vaccinated elderly and other vulnerable groups on our island run the risk of getting infected, so they should be protected. But we must also further ease the measures as these are a burden to our economy”.

Reason

The pressure on the economy is another reason that the local government further eases the COVID-19 measures, while remaining cautious and taking steps to protect the population. This approach is aimed at keeping a balance between public health and economic development. “Additional nursing staff provided through the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (VWS) are now working on the island. The capacity in the health care sector is adequate. If needed, St. Maarten can accommodate patients from Statia as the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has enough capacity.  COVID-19 patients will be transferred to St. Maarten in case of deteriorating health in an early stage to assure the most optimal care. This is already the case these past weeks since the outbreak.”

Also, Alida Francis says, the number of cases is stabilizing, the infections are less severe, and the symptoms are generally very mild. In addition, the number of persons needing hospital care is very low: less than 2 percent needed hospitalization up till now. The Government Commissioner further says that the population in general adheres well to the hygiene measures: wearing a face mask, keeping social distance and respecting the measures taken at public places such as restaurants, bars and supermarkets.

No changes

Non-essential businesses such as nail salons, barbershops and hair salons must adhere to the same measures. For these businesses nothing changes yet. They can only accept two customers at the time, with an appointment. These close contact professions must always wear face masks and gloves. Supermarkets and other essential businesses can only allow a maximum of 10 persons inside at the same time. Smaller shops can allow 5 persons at the same time.

Entry Policy

The entry policy will also be less strict as of February 1^st, 2022. As of February 1^st, all countries will be considered as high risk. The requirement of a negative PCR test within 48 hours before departure to Statia will remain in effect. However, the mandatory entry test for vaccinated persons will not be applicable anymore.

All persons entering Statia from a high-risk country still must stay in quarantine (non-vaccinated persons, 7 days) or monitoring (vaccinated persons, 5 days). A mandatory anti gen test at the end of the quarantine period or monitoring period is still applicable.

Non vaccinated persons from a low-risk country must go into quarantine for 7 days with a mandatory exit antigen test on the 7^th day

Testing and vaccination

The Public Health Department will keep the intensity of testing and vaccination high. Vaccination is possible twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. Testing is possible daily.

After a person is tested positive, isolation of 7 days is mandatory, instead of the current 10 days. On the 7th day persons can be released after a negative antigen test. If the test is positive a re-test will be done every 3 days until there is a negative result.

If someone was in contact with a person who tested positive, quarantine of 7 days (instead of 10 days) with an antigen test on the 7^th day is required. This applies to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals.

The easing of the measures was decided upon after careful deliberation with stakeholders: the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (VWS), Dutch Institute for Health and Environment (RIVM) the Public Health Department, the Crisis Team, the Island Council, the St. Eustatius Business Association, the tourism and hospitality sector, school principals/management and church leaders.

The Cayman Islands Welcomes Families Traveling with Children

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (28 January 2022) – The Cayman Islands has officially entered Phase 5 of the destination’s strategic phased reopening plan, effective 20 January 2022. Under this new phase, children aged 11 years and younger will be permitted to travel to the destination accompanied by vaccinated adults regardless of the child’s vaccination status. In addition, quarantine requirements for all travellers are shortened from 10 days to seven days, and testing protocols have been altered – now requiring travelers to submit a lateral flow test (LFT) on days two, five and seven of their stay.

“These changes outlined in Phase 5 of the Government’s reopening plan will make it much easier to travel to our destination with children and allow families to enjoy a well-deserved, relaxing holiday in Cayman once again,” said Hon. Minister Kenneth V. Bryan. “Family travel is an important segment of our tourism industry, and these new protocols will bring a range of encouraging benefits to Caymanians and our tourism partners. We are very excited to usher in this new phase and remain optimistic for the future of Cayman tourism.”

Traveling with Children:

Under Phase 5, children aged 11 and younger are permitted to travel to the Cayman Islands regardless of the child’s vaccination status, provided they are traveling with a verified, fully vaccinated adult. Children between the ages of five and 11 will be required to undergo the same testing requirements as adults, while children below the age of five are not subject to pre-arrival, or on-site testing.

COVID-19 Testing Requirements:

As of 20 January, all inbound travellers aged five years and above must provide a negative pre-departure test, either a certified rapid test/LFT or PCR test, taken no earlier than the day before departure. Convenient, video-proctored at-home tests have been made available by AZOVA Inc.

On-island testing requirements have also been adjusted. Travellers must complete a certified LFT through an approved provider on days two, five and seven of their visit, but a test on day 10 is no longer required. If the traveller tests positive, the PCR test confirmation and any additional testing to exit quarantine will be covered by the Cayman Islands Public Health Department. Children aged four years and under will not require testing. Children between the ages of five years to 11 years will be required to undergo the same testing requirements as adults.

Lastly, Phase 5 protocols require travellers to the Sister Islands to provide a negative certified LFT or PCR test prior to departure to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

Duration of Isolation:

As announced by the Public Health Department on 18 January 2022, the isolation period for vaccinated persons who test positive is now seven days (as opposed to the previous 10-day requirement). Persons testing positive will be required to isolate for six days and take a PCR test on day seven.

“For nearly two years, families with young children have been unable to experience the magic of the Cayman Islands together. Now, they can return to our shores and create lifetime memories in a safe environment,” said Mrs. Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism for the Cayman Islands. “We are eager to welcome families back and share all that our beautiful islands have to offer.”

For more information on travel to the Cayman Islands, including the latest entry requirements under Phase 5, visit www.visitcaymanislands.com/welcomeback.

Note for editors: All travellers aged 12 and above must be verified and fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to enter the Cayman Islands

Bahamas Tourism Ministry Updates Testing Protocols

NASSAU, Bahamas, 4 January 2022 – The Bahamas has suspended the mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travellers, which was expected to take effect on 7 January 2022.  Vaccinated persons, as well as children ages 2-11, may continue to present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or negative RT-PCR Test.

In addition, effective 4 January 2022, all persons remaining in The Bahamas for longer than 48 hours will be required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test, regardless of vaccination status.

Details of the protocol changes are as follows:

• All those travelling to The Bahamas from other countries, whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival in The Bahamas.
  • Vaccinated travellers and children between the ages of 2- 11, can present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test.
  • All unvaccinated travellers, ages 12 and older, must present a negative RT-PCR Test (acceptable tests include NAAT, PCR, RNA, RT-PCR and TMA).
  • All children under the age of two are exempt from any testing requirements.

• 48 Hour COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test: Effective 4 January 2022, a Rapid Antigen Test will be required for all travellers staying in The Bahamas longer than 48 hours (two (2) nights), regardless of vaccination status.

For full details, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

St. Kitts & Nevis Travel Advisory Update for Travelers from Brazil, India, South Africa & UK

Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 13, 2021) – St. Kitts & Nevis has extended the travel advisory for travelers arriving from the U.K., Brazil and South Africa as of May 4 to June 4, 2021. The travel advisory now includes India. Persons from the aforementioned destinations are advised not to travel to St. Kitts & Nevis at this time. Entry into the Federation will be denied. Citizens and Residents of St. Kitts & Nevis who are arriving from any of these countries must process their travel request through the online platform www.knatravelform.kn and will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, even if they have been fully vaccinated.

The decision to extend and expand the advisory is based on the advice of the Ministry of Health and enacted by the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis through the National Covid-19 Task Force in the interest of protecting its borders and the health of its citizens. The Government is extending the advisory in response to Covid-19 variants that have originated in the UK, Brazil and South Africa and the widespread rates of Covid-19 currently being experienced in India. The Federation of St. Kitts & Nevis will continue to monitor the developing situation and will provide updates accordingly.

Travelers should regularly check the St. Kitts Tourism Authority (www.stkittstourism.kn) and Nevis Tourism Authority (www.nevisisland.com) websites for updates and information.