Bermuda: Authorities to ease islandwide restrictions starting April 20 /update 23

Event

Officials in Bermuda have issued orders to ease certain COVID-19 restrictions effective April 20 while maintaining their current requirements for international travelers.

Under the new directives, a nightly curfew will be imposed 20:00-06:00; businesses allowed to operate will be able to do so daily 07:00-19:00. Retail stores and restaurants will be able to operate for delivery, pickup and curbside services, while grocery shopping will continue 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 can resume operations. Parks will reopen 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.

International Travel
Pandemic-related international travel protocols are likely to remain in place for most travelers over the coming months, albeit subject to amendment. The following entry requirements are in place as of April 19:

• Officials require all individuals - including residents - wishing to travel to Bermuda to 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 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 must undergo an additional PCR test upon their arrival at L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA) and must quarantine while awaiting results, which take approximately 24 hours to process. The following additional testing and quarantine protocols are in place after arrival:

• 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.

• Anyone entering Bermuda who has traveled in the UK in the past 14 days before arrival is required to self-quarantine for four days regardless of a negative COVID-19 test. The quarantine period ends once the second COVID-19 test, taken from day four, is negative.

• 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. An individual is considered immunized two weeks after the date of their final vaccine dose.

• All nonimmunized returning residents and visitors are required to wear a color-coded Traveller 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.

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