French Caribbean Islands: Authorities to update some domestic COVID-19 restrictions from Oct. 8 /update 24

Event

French authorities continue to update COVID-19-related restrictions across the French Caribbean islands as of Oct. 8. Guadeloupe announced that certain domestic measures will be eased from Oct. 8 due to a decline in COVID-19 infections.

Some businesses in the French Caribbean islands may request that customers present a COVID-19 health pass to enter establishments. The COVID-19 health pass refers to documented proof that an individual has done one of the following:

• been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

• tested negative from a PCR or antigen test taken within the 72 hours prior to entering a business.

• recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months (medical certificate required).

Guadeloupe
From Oct. 8, the nightly curfew will be in effect 22:00-05:00, instead of 20:00-05:00. Outside curfew hours, residents will be allowed to leave their accommodations without having to remain within a 10-km (6-mile) radius of their accommodation. Certain establishments will be allowed to reopen to the public, but businesses must ask customers to provide a COVID-19 health pass if more than 30 people are present. Businesses subject to COVID-19 health pass requirements include restaurants, casinos, cinemas, theaters, museums, zoos, and several other establishments. From Oct. 22, most businesses will be required to ask all customers to show a COVID-19 health pass.

Martinique
As of Oct. 8, Martinique's nightly curfew between 19:00-05:00 remains in place. Outside of curfew hours, individuals may not travel beyond a 10-km (6-mile) radius of their residence, except for essential reasons, such as professional or health issues, going to the airport, and making essential purchases. All individuals 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 six people. Some businesses are open, but they may ask customers to present a COVID-19 health pass.

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
As of Oct. 8, a 23:00-05:00 curfew remains in place. Individuals must wear facemasks in public settings. Those entering establishments are likely to be asked to present a COVID-19 health pass.

Travel Restrictions
As of Oct. 8, passengers traveling between the French Caribbean islands and Metropolitan France no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test if they show proof of being fully vaccinated. Travelers who are not fully vaccinated are required to provide a negative result from COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken 72 hours or 48 hours before departure, respectively. These travelers must quarantine for seven days and take another test to end the isolation period. Unvaccinated travelers are also required to prove their journey is essential due to a family, health, or professional reason that cannot be postponed.

Authorities use a three-tier, color-coded system to classify foreign countries and other territories based on 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: No testing requirements are in place for those with proof of being fully vaccinated. 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 if they are not 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 must take a second COVID-19 test before ending the quarantine. As of Oct. 8, green locations include most countries in Europe, as well as Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Comoros, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

• Orange locations: All 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. Travelers without proof of being fully vaccinated must prove their journey is essential, undergo a seven-day quarantine period, and another test before ending their quarantine. These travelers may also be subject to a test upon arrival. All countries and territories not listed as green or red locations are subject to these restrictions as of Oct. 8; this includes the US and the UK. Those coming from the UK must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours prior to arrival if they are not vaccinated.

• Red locations: International air and sea travel from red locations remains limited. Vaccinated travelers from red locations must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Unvaccinated travelers must prove their trip is essential. Unvaccinated travelers will also be tested upon arrival, complete a seven-day quarantine, and be tested again on day seven. As of Oct. 8, red locations include Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Georgia, Indonesia, Iran, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Russia, Seychelles, South Africa, Suriname, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Depending on local disease activity, local authorities could reinstate their own stricter measures, including curfews and other travel restrictions. 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.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of France - COVID-19 Information
Government of Guadeloupe
Government of Martinique
Governments of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy