Barbados: Authorities modify COVID-19 restrictions April 27-May 17 /update 28

Event

Authorities have issued orders to update domestic restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 April 27-May 17. Authorities will enforce eased travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals from May 8.

Under the new orders, a nightly 00:00-05:00 curfew will be implemented through May 17, with the exception of the following dates, when a 24-hour curfew will be in effect: April 28, May 1, May 2, May 9, May 16. During these dates, all nonessential activity is prohibited. Those considered essential employees are exempt from the restrictions.

All businesses except for night clubs are permitted to open and operate Monday-Saturday. Restaurants and other food establishments may open and operate on Sunday. Social gatherings remain prohibited.

Other restrictions remain in effect. These measures include the following:

• Bars may operate at no more than 50 percent capacity.

• Pleasure craft and charter boats may not carry more than 50 percent of their authorized number of passengers.

• Parties, dances, receptions, team sports, and meetings in private, social, or civic organizations are prohibited. Night clubs must remain closed.

• The wearing of a facemask remains mandatory in all public spaces.

• Individuals must adhere to physical distancing protocols by maintaining at least six feet between each other.

• Establishments must enforce strict physical distancing and sanitization protocols.

International Travel Protocols
International travel is continuing. Standard travel protocols are being applied to all travelers, regardless of the country departure point. All travelers are required to wear facemasks at the airport. Entry requirements until May 7 are:

• Authorities require all persons intending to enter Barbados to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

• For entry into Barbados, all travelers must submit an online Immigration/Customs form 24 hours before travel, available online or on the BIMSafe mobile application.

• All arrivals are required to take a rapid antigen test on arrival. Travelers who test negative are required to complete a mandatory five-day quarantine at a government-authorized quarantine center before another PCR test is administered to confirm if the traveler is safe to exit the quarantine. Travelers will be required to wear a tracking bracelet during the quarantine period.

• Any traveler who tests positive will enter an isolation facility.

Beginning May 8, fully vaccinated travelers will not be required to quarantine, as long as they present a negative PCR test taken within three days of arrival, and test negative at a PCR test taken upon arrival on the island. They must wait for the results of this second test within their place of accommodation. Fully vaccinated individuals are those who have more than two weeks of completing their vaccination process; they must also have spent 21 days outside of countries considered of special concern by Barbados authorities, which as of April 26 are India, Brazil, and South Africa. Vaccinated individuals must provide proof of vaccination.

Travel restrictions for unvaccinated individuals will remain unchanged following May 8.

Authorities could amend any domestic restrictions or entry requirements 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 arrangements.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government Travel Protocols
Pre-Arrival Travel Form