French Caribbean Islands: Authorities ease COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of July 2 /update 19

Event

As of July 2, authorities in the French Caribbean islands have eased several COVID-19-related domestic restrictions, including business controls. Travel restrictions have remained largely unchanged since mid-June.

Guadeloupe
Authorities have eased several domestic restrictions and the nightly curfew has been lifted. Public gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted and several business restrictions have been relaxed. Restaurants may open to the public for indoor dining with a 50 percent capacity limit and no more than six people per table; bars and restaurants are allowed to serve customers outdoors. Gyms and fitness centers, as well as casinos, have reopened in compliance with health protocols and capacity limits. Cinemas, museums, and other establishments may operate at 65 percent capacity. The use of facemasks outdoors is no longer a requirement unless social distancing is not possible; facemasks in indoor public settings are still required for anyone over 11 years old.

Martinique
The nightly curfew has been lifted in Martinique and the limit on public gatherings has increased from six to 10 people. Cinemas and theaters are open, albeit with restrictions and capacity limits in place; sports events and indoor dining at restaurants are allowed. Several nonessential businesses are open. The wearing of facemasks remains mandatory.

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
The curfew that was in place in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy has been lifted; however, restaurants and bars are still required to close by 23:00 in Saint Martin and 01:00 in Saint Barthelemy. Public gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. Individuals must wear facemasks in public settings in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy.

Travel Restrictions
Fully vaccinated individuals traveling between Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Barthelemy, or Saint Martin no longer need to present a negative result from a 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 COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. 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 take 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 are using a three-tier, color-coded system to classify foreign countries and territories by local COVID-19 activity and impose 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 COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to travel. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated are subject to a seven-day quarantine period. As of July 2, green locations include all countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Canada, South Korea, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Singapore, and the US.

Orange locations: Arrivals must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated are subject to a seven-day quarantine period and must prove that their travel is essential due to family reasons, a health emergency, or professional travel. All countries and territories not listed as green or red locations are subject to these restrictions as of July 2.

Red locations: International air and sea travel from red locations remains very limited; travel from red countries to Guadeloupe remains fully suspended. Travelers from red locations must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. A second antigen test is required at the airport. Arrivals must prove that their travel is considered essential. Unvaccinated travelers are subject to a quarantine period defined by local authorities. As of July 2, red locations include Afghanistan, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Turkey, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Uruguay.

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.