French Caribbean Islands: Authorities ease some COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of June 17 /update 18

Event

As of June 17, authorities in the French Caribbean islands have eased certain COVID-19-related restrictions on travel between metropolitan France and the overseas French departments. Restrictions have also been eased for arrivals from a number of countries experiencing low disease activity.

Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated individuals traveling between Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, or Saint Martin no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 test and will not be subject to quarantine requirements. All travelers entering the French Caribbean islands from metropolitan France, however, must present a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travelers entering from metropolitan France or traveling between Guadeloupe, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, or Martinique must quarantine for seven days. Those required to quarantine must undergo a new COVID-19 test before being allowed to end their isolation period. Travel to Guadeloupe and Martinique for unvaccinated travelers from Saint Martin is only permitted for compelling reasons.

International travel is also gradually resuming in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthelemy. Authorities have begun using a three-tier color-coded system for classifying foreign countries and territories by local COVID-19 activity and imposing travel restrictions accordingly. The three levels are green, orange, and red in order of increasing transmission risk; the restrictions associated with each are as follows:

Green locations: Arrivals must present a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated will be subject to a seven-day quarantine. As of June 17, green locations include all countries in the European Economic Area, Australia, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Singapore.

Orange locations: Arrivals must present a negative result from a PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to arrival or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated will be subject to a seven-day quarantine and must prove that their travel is essential due to family reasons, health emergencies, or professional travel. All countries and territories not listed as green or red are subject to these restrictions as of June 17.

Red locations: International air and sea travel from red locations remains very limited; travel from red countries to Guadeloupe remains fully suspended. These travelers must present a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before arrival. A second antigen test will be required at the airport. Arrivals must prove that their travel is considered essential. Unvaccinated travelers will be subject to a quarantine period defined by local authorities. As of June 17, red locations include Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, French Guiana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay.

Domestic Restrictions

Guadeloupe
The nightly curfew remains in force 23:00-05:00. From June 19, public gatherings of up to 10 people will be permitted and several business restrictions will be eased. Restaurants may open to the public for indoor dining with a 50 percent capacity limit and no more than six people per table; bars will be allowed to serve customers outdoors. Gyms, and fitness centers, as well as casinos, will reopen following protocols and capacity limits. Certain tourism activities will be allowed to resume. The use of facemasks will remain a requirement in public settings for anyone over 11 years old.

Martinique
The nightly 23:00-05:00 curfew remains in effect. Cinemas and theaters are open, albeit with restrictions and capacity limits in place; indoor dining in restaurants and sports events are allowed. Several non-essential businesses are open. The use of facemasks remains mandatory and gatherings of more than six people are banned.

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
Individuals must wear facemasks in public settings in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. Public gatherings of more than six people remain prohibited. As of June 17, a 20:00-03:00 curfew remains in place in Saint Martin.

Local governments could reinstate their own stricter measures, including curfews and other travel restrictions, depending on local disease activity. All restrictions are subject to amendment at short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions.