April 30 - The health and wellbeing of all who enter or reside in The Bahamas remains the number one priority, and diligent efforts are enforced to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The following travel and entry protocols have been put in place to ensure The Bahamas is a safe and clean destination for all to enjoy.

 

Pre-Departure & Arrival

*Please note: testing requirements have changed for vaccinated travellers

 

STEP 1: Testing Requirements

Vaccinated tourists:

• Effective immediately, a Bahamas citizen or resident who is fully vaccinated – after receiving their second dose – will be exempted from COVID-19 testing requirements when travelling inter-island from New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and Eleuthera

• Effective May 1, 2021, visitors travelling to The Bahamas from other countries who are fully vaccinated and have passed the two-week immunity period will be exempted from COVID-19 testing requirements for entry and inter-island travel

 

Unvaccinated tourists:

• Unvaccinated travellers entering The Bahamas and/or those travelling inter-island from Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco, Eleuthera or Harbour Island, must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR (swab) test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas

          > Children 10 and under, and pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight in The Bahamas are not required to take a test

          > Negative PCR test results must be uploaded in order to complete a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, and must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas

          > Any person presenting test results older than 5 days will not be allowed entry into The Bahamas

 

STEP 2: Bahamas Travel Health Visa Application

All persons travelling to The Bahamas, and those travelling inter-island, are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs.

 

Vaccinated tourists:

• Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to upload proof of vaccination confirming they have passed the two-week immunity period

 

Unvaccinated tourists:

• Unvaccinated travellers will be required to upload their negative COVID-19 PCR test results. Tests must be taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival

 

*Unvaccinated Bahamian citizens or residents planning to travel abroad for five (5) days or less must secure a test in the destination they visited before travelling back to The Bahamas. Any PCR test taken in The Bahamas prior to travel will not be valid for re-entry.

 

All tourists vaccinated and unvaccinated:

• As part of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, travellers will be required to opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas. The cost of insurance is included in the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application fee

• Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications take up to 48 hours to process and should be completed with adequate lead time

• The cost of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa is dependent on length of stay and vaccination status

• All travellers eighteen (18) years of age and older are required to complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa

• Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of their parent or guardian

During Travel

While travelling to The Bahamas & once arrived the following protocols must be followed:

 

Wear a face mask:

• Entering and transiting terminals, at security and customs screenings, at baggage claim

 

Comply with health monitoring procedures:

• Any visitor exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms at any time during their stay will be required to take a rapid antigen test and receive a negative result before being permitted to continue with their vacation. If a person tests positive they will be required to follow up with a COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test

 

Vaccinated tourists:

• Fully vaccinated travellers will be exempt from on-island rapid antigen testing requirements for the duration of their stay, and will not be required to complete a daily Health Questionnaire

 

Unvaccinated tourists:

• Day 5 Rapid Test: Unvaccinated travellers who are staying in The Bahamas for longer than four (4) nights and five (5) days will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test:
This also applies to unvaccinated residents and visitors who are travelling inter-island from Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, Abaco, Eleuthera or Harbour Island, and are staying in their destination for longer than four (4) nights and five (5) days

• Visitors departing on or before five days will not be required to obtain this test

• The rapid tests are easy, quick and will yield results in 60 minutes or less with results being provided electronically via SMS text message and email

• An island-by-island list of approved testing sites is available below

 

Daily Health Questionnaire

Unvaccinated persons travelling into and throughout The Bahamas will be required to complete a short daily Health Questionnaire during their stay:

• The questionnaire must be completed upon arrival and each day thereafter for up to 14 days, or the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter

• This includes the day of departure, if travelling less than 14 days

On-Island Experience

 

Wear a face mask and physical distance when in public places:

• When travelling in a taxi or on a bus, when standing in lines, when entering any establishment, while entering or exiting a restaurant

• When entering and exiting beaches (not required on the beach)

• Before and after exercise (masks must be visible on your person during exercise)

 

Abide by all protocols and restrictions as outlined in the most recent Emergency Powers Order:

• Some islands may be following different orders than others, such as curfews and reduced operating hours and/or services for shops, restaurants and businesses

• Travelers should check the status of their island destination before travelling below

Failure to Follow Protocol

 

All Rules and Regulations Are Being Enforced

• Travellers who do not complete a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and present either a valid proof of vaccination or COVID-19 RT-PCR Test with a negative result will be denied entry

• Travellers who show symptoms of COVID-19 may be transferred to an area away from others for further testing and evaluation, and quarantine may be required by health personnel

• A $250 fine or a penalty of one month imprisonment, or both, is to be enforced for visitors or residents found not wearing face masks in areas where it is required

• For unvaccinated travellers staying longer than four nights and five days, failure to take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day will result in a $1,000 fine or one month imprisonment

• Citizens and residents who fail to complete the daily Health Survey will be required to submit to a mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility

• Unvaccinated travellers who fail to complete the daily Health Survey will be subject to deportation

 

For more information and FAQ, please visit bahamas.com. To apply for Bahamas Health Visa, please visit travel.gov.bs.

 

 

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