Suriname: Government modifies nationwide coronavirus-related restrictions, extending them through Feb. 23 /update 23

Suriname modifies COVID-19-related restrictions and extends them until Feb. 23. International travel ban remains in place.

Event

Officials in Suriname have modified the existing internal and international travel restrictions that are in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and extended them through at least Feb. 23. While some restrictions on internal movements and business operations have been loosened, international commercial passenger flights remain banned from entry, and transit across the country's land borders remains highly restricted. The following restrictions are in place under the current orders:

General Domestic Measures
Weekday curfew hours have been shortened to 2100-0500 Monday through Thursday, while weekend curfew hours run 1700-0500 Friday through Sunday. Only essential workers, including medical workers and emergency services personnel, are exempt from the curfew. All stores must close at least one hour before curfew and only one person per family is permitted to enter markets and stores.

Under the loosened restrictions, some nonessential businesses, such as casinos, resorts, gyms, and salons may reopen. Night clubs and bars remain closed. Restaurants may be open for pick-up until 2000. However, food deliveries remain banned after 2200 and seated dining in restaurants remains prohibited. The cap on the size of gatherings has been increased to 10 persons. Government offices may begin to reopen, albeit with strict limits on occupancy, and some schools will reopen Feb. 15. All persons over 12 years of age are required to wear facemasks when outside of their homes.

International and Domestic Travel
All international commercial passenger flights are banned from entry, with only cargo flights and specially permitted repatriation flights allowed. Domestic flights are also restricted to cargo transport and emergency flights. The movements of arriving travelers are highly restricted; transport airport to accommodations is controlled and all incoming travelers must complete a mandatory seven-day quarantine. The following additional entry requirements are in place:

Incoming travelers must provide a negative result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test taken 72-120 hours before their for Suriname.
Arriving travelers must provide proof of a confirmed accommodation booking of at least seven days at a registered Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA) hotel or lodging. Home quarantine is only allowed with written permission from the Ministry of Health.
Nonresidents are required to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage.

Passenger travel via Suriname's land and sea borders remain restricted; however, cargo, medical, and emergency transportation is continuing.

Officials are likely to deploy increased security to enforce the restrictions and facilitate domestic movements around the country. Authorities could reimpose, extend, further tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel and transportation arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.