Bermuda: Authorities ease COVID-19 domestic regulations May 10. Travel restrictions remain unchanged /update 25

Event

Officials in Bermuda have issued orders to ease several restrictions, and shorten the nightly curfew, which have been in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, May 10. Travel restrictions will remain unchanged through June 6.

Under the new directives, the nightly curfew will remain in place, but it will be three hours shorter, running 22:00-05:00. Essential workers, people responding to an emergency, or people going to or from the airport are the only ones allowed on the streets during the curfew hours.

Working remotely continues to be recommended, but it is no longer required. Schools and daycare facilities may reopen, and retail and grocery stores can reopen at 20-percent capacity; there is no longer a restriction on who can attend a store. Restaurants, bars and sports clubs may resume outdoor dining services, with all customers seated, and a maximum of six people per table; nightclubs must remain closed.

Gatherings of up to 10 people are now allowed, and individuals may request authorities if they plan to host larger gatherings. Weddings, funerals and religious services may occur at 20-percent capacity or a maximum of 25 people present; receptions must be limited to 10 people. Entertainment venues can open at 20-percent capacity or a maximum of 25 people, and personal care businesses and gyms can open while enforcing social distancing; however, activities that require the removal of the facemasks are prohibited.

Travel Restrictions

Flights from Brazil, India, and South Africa remain 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, all unvaccinated passengers are required to quarantine for four days upon arrival and take a PCR COVID-19 test on day four of the isolation; such persons are 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.

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.

Effective June 6, authorities intend to tighten the restrictions for non-immunized travelers, including a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

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