Bermuda: Authorities tighten COVID-19-related travel restrictions, ban flights from Brazil, India, and South Africa as of April 27 /update 24

Event

Officials in Bermuda have issued orders tightening travel restrictions as of April 27 to curb the spread of COVID-19. Flights from Brazil, India, and South Africa are banned until further notice. Any arriving passenger who has been in any of these three countries within the two weeks prior to their arrival in Bermuda will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon entry and will be subject to electric monitoring.

Additionally, starting May 2, all unvaccinated passengers will be required to quarantine for four days upon arrival and take a PCR COVID-19 test on day four of the isolation; such persons will be able to end the quarantine once they obtain a negative test result. An individual is considered vaccinated two weeks after the date of their final vaccine dose. This policy is currently in place for travelers from the UK.

Other requirements for travelers entering from international destinations remain in place, including:

• All individuals - including residents - wishing to travel to Bermuda must apply for government authorization by completing an online form one to three days before departure.

• For authorization, travelers aged 10 years and older must produce proof of having tested negative for COVID-19 via a polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the test must be taken no more than five days before their departure for Bermuda.

• Residents of Bermuda may enter without obtaining negative test results prior to arrival; however, such individuals are required to quarantine for at least eight days upon their arrival and take a COVID-19 test.

• Visitors should also acquire insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment and hospitalization or be responsible for all health and accommodation costs.

• All individuals - including those who are vaccinated - must undergo an additional PCR test upon arrival at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) and quarantine while awaiting results, which take approximately 24 hours to process.

• Visitors must undergo additional tests on the fourth, eighth, and 14th days of their stay and receive daily health checks for the first 14 days of their trip to Bermuda.

• Immunized travelers without a valid pre-arrival test must also self-quarantine for four days. The quarantine period ends once the second COVID-19 test, taken from day four, is negative.

• All nonimmunized returning residents and visitors are required to wear a color-coded Traveler Wristband for the first 14 days of their stay; this will be distributed during testing upon arrival, at the traveler's expense. Travelers who refuse to wear the wristband will be required to quarantine at their accommodation for 14 days.

Domestic Restrictions
A curfew is in place nightly between the hours of 20:00-06:00; businesses allowed to operate can do so daily between 07:00-19:00. Retail stores and restaurants can operate for delivery, pickup, and curbside services, while grocery shopping continues to be permitted only on select days based on the first letter of an individual's last name. Laundry services can be used by appointment only. Construction and landscaping services are allowed to operate. Parks can open and recreational boating can resume, but gatherings and the mixing of households remain banned. Remote work remains mandatory. These measures will be in place until at least May 3.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, 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 arrangements. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of Bermuda - COVID-19
Travel Authorization Form