Caribbean islands are reacting to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by enforcing and altering travel restrictions. Here's the latest from several islands:
Anguilla
Anguilla has closed all ports—sea and air—for 14 days for all passenger movements. This will come into force from 11:59 pm on Friday, March 20. This does not include the movement of goods. All persons arriving in Anguilla who have traveled outside of the Caribbean within the last 14 days, will be quarantined for 14 days on their arrival. A judgement will be made on arrival by health professionals if this can be self-quarantine or in a government run health facility.
Antigua and Barbuda
Passengers and airline crew who have been in China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea or Singapore in the past 28 days are not allowed to enter Antigua and Barbuda. Nationals and resident diplomats of Antigua and Barbuda who have been in China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, or Singapore in the past 28 days are allowed entry. Airlines must provide their advance passenger information before departure.
The Bahamas
At this time, there is one confirmed case of coronavirus in Nassau, The Bahamas, and the patient is in isolated quarantine. Effective Thursday, March 19, expanded travel restrictions will be introduced. Foreign nationals and foreign individuals who have travelled within the last 20 days from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe will be prohibited entry into The Bahamas. This is in addition to restrictions already in place for China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. This restricted travel list of countries will be continuously monitored and updated as necessary.
Traveler health questionnaires and a screening protocol are used at ports, hotels and rental properties to identify guests who may require surveillance or treatment. In addition, all Bahamian nationals and residents returning to The Bahamas through any point of entry from any of the restricted countries or an area where community infection and spread is present will be quarantined or be placed under self-isolation upon arrival and are expected to follow the protocols of the Ministry of Health.
Barbados
As of Sunday, 22 March, all visitors arriving from the United States, United Kingdom and Europe will be subject to a 14-day quarantine. Citizens and residents of Barbados will be subject to a home-quarantine. Currently, all arriving passengers who have been in Iran are subject to a 14-day quarantine. Travelers arriving from China and South Korea who are exhibiting symptoms are also subject to a 14-day quarantine.
British Virgin Islands
From Thursday, 19 March, entry by sea or air for all passengers who are not nationals, belongers, work permit holders or persons ordinarily resident in the territory, or their dependents is not allowed. The travel restriction does not apply to flight crews. Visitors who have been in or transited through countries specified on the Special Interest Group List or Very High Risk Country List (which comprise China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain, Germany, United States, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway) in the last 14 days will not be allowed to enter.
Locally, any mass gatherings or festivals that were scheduled to take place in the BVI during the next month will be postponed until further notice. This includes the 2020 BVI Spring Regatta, scheduled for March 30 to April 5, and the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival scheduled for April 11 to 13.
Curaçao
All incoming flights are canceled with the exception of flights carrying local residents in the possession of a valid retour-ticket and a sedula. All returning residents are obliged to spend 14 days in quarantine. This needs to take place at home, as long as this is possible. Regarding departing flights, only non-residents are allowed to travel; residents are not allowed to travel abroad. There have been three cases of COVID-19 identified on Curaçao as yet.
Dominica
Dominica has banned all travel to and from China. Arriving travelers will be required to complete a health declaration form and be screened for elevated 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.
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina reported the island will be closing the country’s borders by land, sea and air effective Thursday, March 19, for the next 15 days. Only ferry places will be allowed for the departure of foreign citizens, as well as the arrival of planes, cargo ships and fuel to guarantee supplies to the island. Medina also requested to the National Congress to declare a national emergency. There are currently 21 confirmed cases in the DR.
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. The Government of Grenada is conducting thermal screening at airports and sea ports, and if travelers are found to have higher-than-expected temperatures, they will be subject to further screening
Guadeloupe, Martinique
On March 18, the governments of Martinique and Guadeloupe began restricting air transportation, and is only approved for essential purposes. This restriction will severely limit the ability of U.S. citizens to return to the U.S.; Flights to France will continue until midnight on Sunday, March 22.
Jamaica
Jamaica’s Prime Minister has activated the Disaster Risk Management Act, which in effect means COVID-19 has been declared a national emergency. Its Ministry of Health and Wellness has imposed travel restrictions to include nine countries in efforts to control the coronavirus: China, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Iran, Spain, France, Germany and the UK. Travelers who have been to these countries in the past 14 days and do not have permanent residency or marriage exemption in Jamaica will not be landed on arrival to the island. In addition, all persons arriving in Jamaica, regardless of destination of origin, are subject to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Montserrat
Montserrat 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. Barth's
Entry to and from St. Barth's is restricted to only approved essential purposes.
St. Kitts & Nevis
To date, St. Kitts & Nevis still has no confirmed cases of COVID-19. However, to help control the spread of the virus, the federal government of St. Kitts & Nevis has issued COVID-19 travel advisories for visitors, citizens and residents arriving in from China, Italy, Iran, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain.
Air passengers traveling to/from any of the above listed destinations within the last 14 days are asked to note travel restrictions and the 14-day mandatory quarantine period that is enforced for nationals, residents and visitors. Persons who travel to St. Kitts & Nevis from these destinations will be subject to screening at the port of entry and a mandatory 14-day quarantine period, wherein their movements will be restricted to a designated facility -- for air passengers, most likely their hotel. Air travelers are advised to contact their hotel in advance of arrival to determine if the hotel can accommodate a quarantine and to request information about fees and policies if travelers choose to postpone or cancel their trip.
St. Lucia
St. Lucia is restricting entry of any foreigners who have been in mainland China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Spain, mainland France, Germany, Iran, and the United Kingdom during the past 14 days. The government will quarantine any St. Lucia nationals returning from or transiting through China for 14 days. St. Lucia is closed to all non-cargo sailing vessels.
St. Martin
Entry to and from St. Martin is restricted to only approved essential purposes.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
There are no travel restrictions, but anyone arriving in the country who has traveled from or through China, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, or South Korea in the past 14 days will be placed in a 14-day quarantine. Persons showing symptoms will continue to be isolated and quarantined at the main hospital in Kingstown.
Others
Additionally, Aruba, the Cayman Islands, St. Maarten and Trinidad are totally closed to international visitors for two to four weeks. This closure went into effect Monday, March 16. Any visitors will be quarantined if they show symptoms.
This article originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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