Bermuda: Authorities keep existing COVID-19 domestic regulations in place as of Aug. 30 /update 29

Bermuda maintains COVID-19-related domestic controls as of Aug. 30; travel restrictions for international arrivals remain in force.

Event

Officials in Bermuda continue to enforce existing COVID-19-related measures as of Aug. 30. Authorities have recently introduced a wristband system to help streamline the international arrivals process for fully vaccinated individuals; further details are listed below. Capacity restrictions and other measures remain essentially unaltered since late June, when the territory entered Phase 4 of its reopening plan.

Domestic Measures
There is no longer a nightly curfew. Large gatherings may have up to 50 people; however, authorities may provide special permits for gatherings larger than 50 people. Retail and grocery stores may open without capacity limitations. Bars, restaurants, and clubs may open for service both indoors and outdoors; most such establishments require customers to present a SafeKey QR code, indicating that the customer is either fully vaccinated or had received a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within the previous 72-hour period.

Weddings and funerals, including ceremonies and receptions, can have up to 50 people. Cinemas and other entertainment venues can also allow up to 50 people. Religious services (other than funerals and weddings) are exempt from capacity restrictions but must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Gyms may open so long as masks are worn indoors while not exercising. Personal care businesses may also resume services, including those that require facemasks to be removed. Facemasks are required to be worn in most indoor public settings, except when all individuals present are fully vaccinated.

International Travel Restrictions
Requirements for travelers entering from international destinations are as follows:

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.
All nonresident travelers aged two years and older must produce a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than four days before their arrival in Bermuda. Authorities encourage pre-arrival PCR tests for residents but do not require them.
All fully vaccinated individuals (i.e., those who received the final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days before arriving) must take an additional COVID-19 test upon arrival and will receive a red wristband. Individuals will then need to quarantine at their accommodations while awaiting the test result and can only remove their wristband and end quarantine upon receiving a negative result. They must also take a COVID-19 test on days four and 10 of their stay.
All fully vaccinated residents aged two years and older without a pre-arrival negative PCR test result will spend their first four days in quarantine at their accommodations. These individuals will need to wear their wristband until the receipt of a negative test result from their day four test, at which point the quarantine period will end, although an additional test is required on day 10.
All unvaccinated travelers - including residents - must take a test upon arrival and quarantine for 14 days at a designated hotel at their own expense. A PCR test will be administered on day 13. Travelers can apply for an exemption from spending the quarantine at a hotel, but they may have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and will need to take a PCR test on day 14.
Visitors should also acquire insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment and hospitalization or be responsible for all health and accommodation costs.

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.