In the temptation to travel to the Caribbean? Know the Covid rules

Although she booked a private villa this year that could be canceled at any time, the weeks before the flight were unpleasant. St. John – as well as the neighboring St. Thomas and St. Croix – requires all arrivals to provide evidence of a negative result of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of landing. The couple made appointments at a medical clinic and then waited nervously for everything. Reports of other islands imposing curfew rules or, in the case of St. Barts, suddenly banning visitors, caused even more discomfort. “I did not stop worrying about the trip until I was on the plane,” Ms Irons said. “Anything could have happened.”

For pandemic-besieged sun-seekers longing for sand, sea and warmth this spring, the Caribbean may seem like the promised land. And indeed, most Caribbean islands welcome American tourists, but the many admission requirements vary greatly and are constantly changing. “Anyone who travels should realize that it’s liquid,” says Michele Rishty, a travel consultant in Bedminster, NJ, who regularly discusses Caribbean vacations. “It changes every day.”

Until that changes again, here’s a snapshot of the obstacles you’re likely to face, and guidance on which islands are the easiest – or most challenging – to visit.

There will be tests

In most countries and dependent areas of the region, you must provide evidence of a recent negative Covid-19 test, even before placing the shifted foot on the tarmac. How fast you have to take the Covid-19 test varies by country. If you are going to the US Virgin Islands, you only need to take one test. But if you’re on your way to any other island – outside the US – you need to provide proof of a negative virus test to return to the mainland. Many of the hotel resorts start testing on site for that express purpose.

Some destinations, including Anguilla, the Bahamas and Jamaica, insist on a second Covid test upon arrival. Bermuda is even faster: visitors must wear a ‘Traveler Wristband’ for the first 14 days of their stay, undergo temperature checks twice a day and undergo additional Covid-19 tests on the fourth, eighth and 14th day of their stay .

By comparison, the test protocols of the Dominican Republic are much more relaxed. Instead of requiring visitors to show documentation of a negative Covid-19 test before arrival, local authorities give randomly rapid tests to a small percentage – between 3% and 15% – of incoming passengers.

What if you have already been vaccinated against Covid-19? For the time being, you cannot be provided with the vaccination of the test requirements.

A paper route

Most islands ask visitors to complete a health questionnaire before or after arrival. And some, like Bermuda and Turks and Caicos, are also asking tourists to come armed with health insurance – or buy it there – which they will cover if they get sick during holidays.

Kristi Mackedanz, a travel consultant at KM Travel Designs in St. Petersburg, Fla., Advises prospective travelers to look at tourist board sites for insurance requirements and associated costs. From there, she says, check the policy to make sure it covers you if you are positive and have to quarantine on the island for 10 days to two weeks. “Every destination is the same,” she warned.

Track and Shield

According to Tara McCoy, a travel consultant from Columbia, SC, who spent a few days on the island of the British Commonwealth in December, Barbados is among the islands that apply stricter travel restrictions. After a striking increase in cases just after the Christmas holidays, the local government issued a curfew rule (set on fire at 7pm) and tightened the other Covid-inspired rules. “One by one, the requirements to travel there are becoming stricter,” she said. McCoy said. How strict? The tourism website (visitbarbados.org) specifies the exact type of Covid test required to enter the country. Before the trip, visitors are instructed to download an app to their phones; Once they arrive, they get an electronic tape that tracks their movement. The first five days on the island have to be spent in a holiday resort or holiday rental – to enforce too far has huge fines. On the fifth day, travelers are tested again and only when they get the green light are they free to explore the island. The British Virgin Islands have a similar tracking device system, with a mandatory four-day quarantine.

Anguilla’s house rules are equally strict. Visitors must show negative results from a PCR test completed three to five days before arrival, and then take a second one after arrival. Holidaymakers staying less than two weeks can only stay in government-approved hotels and villas and go to approved restaurants and on specific activities and excursions. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, the esteemed parliamentary secretary of tourism, describes this tourism bubble as “a bunch of companies that are certified and undergo training to maintain our safety protocols.” Me. Gumbs-Marie also took note of the island-wide masking mandate for tourists. “If you’re a mask … it’s going to be very difficult for you in Anguilla. All our guests must be masked. ”

St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Lucia restricts tourists to certain areas. The latter uses a night clock at 19:00.

Prohibited fruits

In February, when the new variant of the coronavirus took off in Europe, the French government closed its overseas territories – including the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Barthélemy – to all tourists from countries outside the European Union. The US State Department also issued a Level Four travel advice for the entire French West Indies, advising Americans to stay away due to ‘Covid-related conditions’. The Cayman Islands are currently also banned for tourists, with the exception of homeowners, students, family members and other visitors who have been approved.

Is life a beach?

Once you pass the gates, the islands feel relatively normal, Ms. Rishty said, though with far fewer tourists and half-empty hotels. Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said the cast at the 11 all-inclusive Sandals Resorts currently open hovered between 55% and 65% last month, up from 83% last year at the same time.

Ms McCoy, who spent five days in Jamaica in February, welcomed the slower pace. “It was easy, comfortable and sunny,” she said, adding that the Covid-19 restrictions were similar to those in the US. “It really was no different than here in South Carolina. Mask wear and social distance. ”

Corrections and reinforcements

Sandals Resorts currently has 11 resorts open. In an earlier version of this article, it was incorrectly stated that six resorts were open. (Corrected on March 11)