Antigua and Barbuda: Authorities ease some COVID-19-related domestic measures as of Oct. 19 /update 23

Event

Authorities in Antigua and Barbuda continue to ease certain COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of Oct. 19. Restrictions on international travel remain largely unchanged.

Domestic Measures
The nightly curfew that was previously in effect 20:00-05:00 has been shortened to 23:00-05:00 as of Oct. 19. Individuals are not allowed outside their residences and accommodations during curfew hours unless seeking urgent medical attention.

Gyms and cinemas may only admit fully vaccinated clients. Individuals may also only enter restaurants for in-house dining if they are fully vaccinated; delivery and pick-up services will remain available to all clients regardless of their vaccination status. Beaches are open 05:00-19:00 daily, except on public holidays; drinking alcohol, playing music, or participating in picnics and parties remains prohibited. Public gatherings are limited to 10 persons, except for funeral services, wedding ceremonies, and several other events where up to 25 people are permitted to attend.

Nationwide requirements for individuals to wear facemasks in public spaces and businesses to observe special health protocols and enforce social distancing of no less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) between individuals remain in effect until further notice. The facemasks must cover the mouth and nose but leave the eyes, forehead and ears visible, meaning that sunglasses and head coverings are not allowed to be worn with a facemask.

Travel Restrictions
The following requirements remain in place:

• Passengers five years and older must have a negative PCR test taken within four days prior to departure. Antigen and home tests are not accepted.

• Passengers 18 years and older, including transit passengers, must have received at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine to enter Antigua and Barbuda. Approved vaccines are Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Janssen, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.

• Fully vaccinated residents (those who received their last dose of the vaccine more than 14 days before entering Antigua and Barbuda) are not required to quarantine upon arrival; partially vaccinated residents will need to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at a hotel.

• Fully vaccinated visitors will be allowed to stay at Bio Safe-Certified accommodations; partially vaccinated visitors will also be allowed to stay in certified accommodations but may be required to quarantine.

All persons traveling to Antigua and Barbuda must complete a health declaration form. Visitors entering Antigua and Barbuda will be subject to enhanced screening and may be required to go through additional COVID-19 testing at the airport at their own expense.

Those required to quarantine may need to wear a monitor bracelet during the isolation period and may be required to undergo further COVID-19 tests. Passengers arriving by sea are also subject to quarantine measures as determined by the port authorities.

All individuals who have been in Brazil or South Africa in the 14 days before their travel to Antigua and Barbuda, with the exception of flight crews, are still prohibited from entering the country.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, 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 COVID-19 Information

Travel Advisory