French Caribbean Islands: Authorities update certain domestic COVID-19-related restrictions as of Nov. 9 /update 26

Event

Authorities in Martinique have shortened the island's COVID-19-related curfew by one hour as of Nov. 9. Pandemic-related restrictions in other French Caribbean islands remain largely unchanged.

Businesses in the French Caribbean islands may request that customers present a COVID-19 health pass to enter establishments. The COVID-19 health pass constitutes documented proof that an individual has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, received a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within the 72 hours prior to entering the business, or tested positive for COVID-19 between 11 days and six months ago but has since recovered.

Guadeloupe
A nightly 00:01-05:00 curfew is in effect in Guadeloupe. Most establishments require that customers provide a COVID-19 health pass to enter. Businesses subject to COVID-19 health pass requirements include restaurants, casinos, cinemas, theaters, museums, zoos, and multiple other kinds of establishments. Authorities have lifted limits on public gatherings and the public can access beaches and riverbanks without time restrictions.

Martinique
As of Nov. 9, curfew hours in Martinique run 20:00-05:00 nightly. Sports, cultural, and leisure facilities, as well as dining establishments, can remain open until 22:00. However, individuals who are outside their residences between 20:00-22:00 must carry an exceptional travel certificate in addition to proof of the activity in which they have been engaged, such as restaurant receipts or a gym membership. After 22:00, all individuals must stay in their accommodations unless they have a medical or family emergency, are returning home from work, or are traveling to assist a vulnerable person. Public gatherings remain limited to six people at beaches, riverbanks, and parks. Businesses may ask customers to present a COVID-19 health pass.

Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
Individuals generally must wear facemasks in public settings. Those entering establishments may be required to present a COVID-19 health pass. Establishments requiring a health pass may modify COVID-19-related regulations at their discretion, including lifting requirements for individuals to wear a facemask, easing capacity limits, and relaxing social distancing measures.

Travel Restrictions
France's overseas territories, including the French Caribbean islands, can enforce their own COVID-19-related international entry restrictions based on local epidemiological trends. Some COVID-19-related entry measures, however, apply across each territory. In general, all arriving travelers must complete a sworn statement affirming that they have no COVID-19 symptoms and have not come into contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. Arrivals may be subject to COVID-19-related protocols upon arrival, including being required to take a COVID-19 test.

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 pre-travel testing requirements are in place for travelers arriving from green locations with proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Unvaccinated travelers from green locations generally must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated may only travel to the French Caribbean islands for imperative reasons. As of Nov. 9, green locations include most countries in Europe as well as selected other locations, including Australia, Argentina, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, the Comoros, Hong Kong, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Taiwan, the UAE, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

• Orange locations: All arrivals from orange locations must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel or an antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Travelers without proof of vaccination must also prove their journey is essential, undergo a seven-day quarantine period, and take a COVID-19 test before ending their quarantine. These travelers may also be subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival. All countries and territories not listed as green or red locations are subject to these restrictions as of Nov. 9; this includes the US and the UK. Unvaccinated individuals traveling from the UK must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours prior to departure.

• Red locations: International air and sea travel from red locations remains limited. All travelers arriving from red locations must present a negative result from a PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before travel. Travelers without proof of vaccination must prove their trip is essential. Unvaccinated travelers may also be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival, are subject to a quarantine period of seven to 10 days, and must take a COVID-19 test before ending their isolation period. As of Nov. 9, red locations include Afghanistan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Suriname, 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 For Foreign Nationals
Government of Guadeloupe (French)
Government of Martinique (French)
Governments of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy (French)