CARIBBEAN BORDER CONTROLS

With partial travel restrictions having, and continuing to be, introduced across the world – including now in Canada – travel has never been trickier, or more difficult to accomplish due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday we offered a comprehensive global round-up (click HERE https://travelindustrytoday.com/global-border-controls/), today we offer the latest reports from the Caribbean*:

*Unless designated, quarantine periods are 14 days; high risk countries generally include China, Italy, Iran, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), Ireland, France, Germany and Spain, but NOT Canada.

Antigua and Barbuda (one confirmed case): The islands remain open to travellers except for those who have been to China, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea and Singapore in the past 28 days. Several precautionary measures have also been put in place including educational campaigns at hotels, with a focus on identifiable prevention, preparation and identification tips. (Update from: 16/03)

The Bahamas (one confirmed case): Launched National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19 including new border controls that include enhanced screening, quarantine protocols, and prohibiting entry for persons travelling from highly infected areas, including Europe in the past 20 days. (16/03).

Barbados (no confirmed cases): No current travel restrictions, but advance screening and testing protocols remain in effect. Quarantine for passengers from high risk countries. (13/03).

Belize (no confirmed cases): Task force launched; limits on non-essential travel and social distancing prescribed. (13/3)

British Virgin Islands (no confirmed cases): The Tortola cruise port has been closed to cruise ships for 30 days. Also, the number of international ports of entry into the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have been limited to facilitate the effective screening of passengers, who may be quarantined, and those having travelled to high risk countries barred entry. (16/03)

Cayman Islands (one confirmed case): International airport closed March 22 to April 16; inter-islands flights restricted to residents; cruises ships banned for 60 days; arrivals from high risk countries banned, others quarantined. (16/03)

Cuba (five confirmed cases): No restrictions on admittance or travel; the government claims it is prepared to deal with any escalation of the disease. (17/03)

Dominican Republic (11 confirmed cases): Flights from Europe are barred and cruise ship arrivals suspended for 60 days. Visitors from high risk countries isolated upon arrival. (16/03)

Jamaica (eight confirmed cases): A national emergency has been declared. Travellers who have visited high risk countries in the past 14 days are barred entry, others screened by heat-sensing scanners at the airport. All public activities in March have been cancelled. (14/03)

Martinique (four confirmed cases): Crisis division activated; all disembarking cruise passengers are being systematically screened and anchorage to come ashore for smaller luxury boats is no longer permitted except at port terminals screened by the Regional Health Agency of Martinique.

Puerto Rico (five confirmed cases): An island-wide curfew (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) is in effect and all nonessential businesses closed. Airports remain open for inbound and outbound travel with adjustments in travel itineraries at the discretion of each airline and in accordance with US travel restrictions. San Juan Bay is closed to cruise ships. Hotels remain open but amenities such as pools and spas closed. (15/03)

St. Kitts & Nevis (no confirmed cases): The government has issued COVID-19 travel advisories for visitors, citizens and residents arriving from high risk countries that include screening and a mandatory quarantine (at their hotel if possible). (16/03)

St. Lucia (two confirmed cases): Arrivals are subject to strict surveillance and screening measures including and persons who show symptoms are transferred to the isolation for further testing and diagnosis. Travel restrictions in place from nine high risk countries. (15/3)

St. Martin (four confirmed cases): Passengers who have been in high risk countries in the past 21 days barred entry. All disembarking cruise passengers are being systematically screened. (12/3).

Trinidad and Tobago: All cruise ship visits through the end of this cruise season (April 24) cancelled.

Turks and Caicos (no confirmed cases): Flights and travellers from affected countries banned; refusal of entry to cruise ships; screening and quarantine protocols. (12/3)