French Caribbean Islands: Authorities in the French Caribbean islands tighten COVID-19 restrictions as of Aug. 13 /update 22

Event

French authorities have issued orders to tighten restrictions across the French Caribbean islands as of Aug. 13 due to increased COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. A longer curfew will be introduced in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy from Aug. 13. Tighter domestic restrictions are also in place in Guadeloupe and Martinique as of Aug. 13.

Guadeloupe
As of Aug. 13, a nightly curfew is in effect between 20:00-05:00. Outside curfew hours, residents can go out for walks and exercise as long as they stay within a 10-km (6-mile) radius of their accommodation; individuals must carry proof of address. Those going beyond a 10-km radius must carry a travel certificate to prove their journey is necessary for essential activities, such as professional, education, or medical reasons. Gyms are closed, and contact sports are banned. Restaurants are open only for take-out and delivery services. Public gatherings of up to 10 people are permitted outdoors. Cinemas, bars, casinos, museums, and theaters are closed.

Passengers traveling between Guadeloupe and Metropolitan France will be required to be fully vaccinated or to provide a family, medical or professional reason to be allowed to travel. Travelers will also be required to provide a negative result from COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours or 48 hours before departure, respectively. Fully vaccinated individuals may also travel to Guadeloupe from Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy, and French Guiana without the need for a pre-travel test or quarantine. Unvaccinated persons arriving from Metropolitan France, Saint Martin, or Saint Barthelemy must quarantine for seven days upon arrival and take another test to end their quarantine.

Martinique
As of Aug. 13, Martinique's nightly curfew between 19:00-05:00 remains in place. However, outside of curfew hours, individuals may not travel beyond a 1-km (0.6-mile) radius of their residence, except for essential travel, such as for professional or health issues, and to go to the airport or for essential purchases. Beaches, gyms, museums, and bars are closed. All persons must stay in their accommodations during curfew hours; those who have a medical or family emergency, are returning home from work or traveling to assist a vulnerable person may be exempt. Public gatherings remain limited to 10 people. Restaurants are open only for take-out and delivery services.

All travelers from Metropolitan France must take a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test 72 or 48 hours before travel, respectively. Unvaccinated travelers must provide a professional, health, or family reason for travel, complete a seven-day quarantine upon arrival, and another test to end their isolation period. Travel from Guadeloupe is allowed without the need for a COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated travelers.

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
From Aug. 13, authorities will impose a curfew running between 20:00-03:00 in Saint Martin and between 21:00-04:00 in Saint Barthelemy. Individuals must wear facemasks in public settings in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy. Those entering hospitals in Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy, except in emergencies or attending appointments for COVID-19 vaccination, must present one of the following:

proof of being fully vaccinated
a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within the previous 72 or 48 hours, respectively
a medical certificate proving they have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months

Travel Restrictions
Authorities use a three-tier, color-coded system to classify foreign countries and other 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 before travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel, and proof of being fully vaccinated. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated can only travel for imperative reasons and are subject to a seven-day quarantine period and a second COVID-19 test before ending the quarantine. As of Aug. 13, green locations include most countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Comoros, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, the US, and Vanuatu.

Orange locations: Arrivals must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel, and proof of being fully vaccinated. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated must prove their travel is essential and are subject to an additional test upon arrival, a seven-day quarantine period, and another test before ending their quarantine. All countries and territories not listed as green or red locations are subject to these restrictions as of Aug. 13.

Red locations: International air and sea travel from red locations remains very limited; travel from red countries to Guadeloupe is fully suspended. For Martinique, vaccinated travelers from red locations must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel, along with proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated travelers must prove their travel is essential. These travelers will also be tested upon arrival, must complete a seven-day quarantine, and be tested again on day seven. As of Aug. 13, red locations include Argentina, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Indonesia, the Maldives, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia, South Africa, Seychelles, Suriname, and Tunisia.

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.