Caribbean

Caribbean: Border Closures, Travel Restrictions And COVID Cases

By Matt Turner Mar 26, 2020 11:48am

Caribbean destinations continue to react to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with some closing their borders and others implementing travel restrictions. Here’s the latest…

Anguilla

Anguilla has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders. As of 11:59 pm on March 20, Anguilla closed its airports and seaports for 14 days for all passenger movements. All persons arriving in Anguilla who have travelled outside of the Caribbean Region within the last 14 days will be quarantined for 14 days on their arrival.

Antigua and Barbuda

Beginning Thursday, March 26 at 8 p.m. local time, the V.C. Bird International Airport on Antigua will close to all international commercial flights originating in North America and Europe. After Thursday, commercial airlines will be able to fly in empty planes for the sole purpose of repatriating citizens. The destination has recorded three confirmed cases of coronavirus; all are in isolation and have either traveled from the U.S. or U.K.

The Bahamas

From March 24, the prime minister of the Bahamas closed all airports to incoming international flights carrying visitors and closed all seaports to international and regional seafaring and private boating. The order also imposes a 24/7 nationwide stay-at-home order.

Barbados

Barbados has 18 confirmed cases coronavirus within its borders and has confirmed one case aboard a cruise ship in Barbadian waters. On March 22, the government of Barbados announced that American Airlines flights will resume on Thursday, March 26, with two flights from Miami to Barbados and one flight from Charlotte to Barbados until Wednesday, April 1. It also announced that JetBlue will provide a direct flight on Saturdays from New York for an undetermined amount of time. All visitors arriving from the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

British Virgin Islands

As of March 22, entry by sea or air for all passengers is prohibited for 14 days. The BVI has no confirmed cases of coronavirus.

Cuba

Started March 24, all tourists in Cuba will be quarantined inside hotels or home-stay locations, until they have secured travel outside of Cuba. The borders are closed to all non-residents. Cuba has only reported a total of five cases of COVID-19.

Dominica

Dominica has no travel restrictions from the U.S. or Europe; arriving travelers will be required to complete a health declaration form and will be screened for body temperature. If determined necessary, anyone showing symptoms or who has been to an affected area in the past 14 days may be placed in 14-day home quarantine. The island has seven confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has 392 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 10 confirmed deaths. On March 19, the president of the Dominican Republic suspended the arrival of incoming passengers and has effectively closed the borders of the Dominican Republic for an initial period of 15 days. Flights to the U.S. are available through Jet Blue and Delta.

Grenada

International travelers to Grenada who have been to Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran, Italy or Germany in the last 14 days are subject to quarantine or other restrictions. Grenada has one confirmed case of COVID-19 within its borders.

Guadeloupe, St. Barth’s and St. Martin

Guadeloupe has 76 confirmed cases of COVID-19 within its borders; St. Barth’s has three; and St. Martin has eight. From March 23 to April 15, international commercial flights and flights between France, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Reunion, Mayotte, St. Martin and St Barth's are prohibited except for essential purposes.

Martinique

In accordance to the French Government travel restrictions, Martinique International Airport is not allowing inbound flight anymore (leisure, family visit etc.) to the Island. The Martinique Port Authority has stopped all cruise calls scheduled for the season. Due to travel restrictions, most hotels and villa rentals are bringing their activities to a close, while waiting for the departure of their last guests. No new guest will be allowed, and all the amenities such as pools, spa and other activities are closed to the public. Martinique has 66 confirmed cases.

Montserrat

Monserrat has one confirmed case of coronavirus and has begun additional screening of any foreigners who have been in mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran and Italy during the past 14 days.

St. Kitts and Nevis

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis announced that all borders will be closed from 11:59 pm, on March 25 and will remain so, until April 7. Special provisions will be made for cargo vessels and medical aircraft. There are two confirmed cases on the islands.

St. Lucia

On March 23, St. Lucia’s airports closed to all incoming commercial and private flights until April 5. The island has three confirmed cases of coronavirus.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

As of March 23, passengers arriving from China, the European Union, Iran, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States are required to quarantine for 14 days. There’s one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the destination.

Others

Aruba, the Cayman Islands, St. Maarten and Trinidad remain closed to visitors for one to three more weeks, after closing their borders March 16.

This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.