French Caribbean Islands: Tighter COVID-19-related international travel restrictions in place for certain travelers as of Dec. 22 /update 29

Event

Authorities in the French Caribbean islands have tightened international entry requirements for certain travelers as part of their efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 and the virus's Omicron variant in particular. As of Dec. 22, the French government has added a fourth tier - scarlet red - to the color-coded system it uses to classify foreign countries and territories based on local COVID-19 activity. Locations designated as "scarlet red" are subject to the strictest international entry restrictions; they currently include South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini. Authorities have also shortened the pre-arrival testing time frame for locations at the green and orange tiers.

Additionally, new directives with regard to travel from the UK are in force as of Dec. 22. All persons arriving or returning from the UK, with the exception of French nationals and their spouses/partners or children, must have a compelling reason for their travel regardless of vaccination status; compelling reasons do not include tourism or professional travel. Moreover, all persons traveling from UK, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure; this rule previously applied only to unvaccinated persons. Lastly, prior to departing for French territory, all individuals traveling from the UK must register the location where they will be staying using an online application. French authorities will use this information to establish self-isolation requirements for both vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers; individuals who test negative for COVID-19 after 48 hours of quarantine may end their isolation.

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

Guadeloupe:
Authorities are maintaining domestic restrictions as of Dec. 22. No nightly curfew is in effect in Guadeloupe and limits on public gatherings have been lifted. However, most establishments still 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 certain other establishments.

Martinique:
Martinique maintains the 20:00-05:00 nightly curfew. All individuals who are outside their residences during curfew hours must carry an exceptional travel certificate in addition to proof of the activity in which they have been engaged; no person may be outside their residence or accommodations without a compelling family, health, or professional reason. Businesses may require 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.

International 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 such 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 pandemic-related protocols upon arrival, including being required to take a COVID-19 test.

Authorities now use a four-tier, color-coded system to classify foreign countries and other territories based on local COVID-19 activity and impose travel restrictions accordingly. The four levels are green, orange, red, and scarlet 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 the European Union with proof of vaccination against COVID-19. All arrivals from locations outside the EU must present a negative result from a PCR or antigen COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before departure. Additionally, travelers from EU countries without a certificate of vaccination or recovery must possess a negative result from PCR or antigen test taken less than 24 hours before travel. Travelers who have not been fully vaccinated may only travel to the French Caribbean islands for imperative reasons. As of Dec. 22, green locations include most countries in Europe as well as Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Qatar, Rwanda, Senegal, Taiwan, Comoros, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

• Orange locations: All arrivals from orange 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 journey is essential, undergo a seven-day quarantine period, and take a COVID-19 test before ending their quarantine. All persons arriving from the UK, regardless of vaccination status, must present a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken within 24 hours prior to travel. Arrivals may also be subject to a COVID-19 test upon arrival. Countries and territories not listed as green, red, or scarlet red locations are subject to these restrictions as of Dec. 22.

• 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 up to 10 days, and must take a COVID-19 test before ending their isolation period. Authorities may demand that travelers isolate in government-approved locations. As of Dec. 22, red locations include Afghanistan, Belarus, Botswana, Georgia, Mauritius, Malawi, Moldova, Montenegro, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Serbia, Suriname, Turkey, Ukraine, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

• Scarlet red locations: Travel from scarlet countries is only allowed for French and European nationals, diplomatic personnel, or flight crews. All arrivals must present a negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before travel or a negative antigen test taken in the 24 hours before travel and must quarantine for 10 days in a government-approved location. As of Dec. 22 South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini are classed scarlet red countries.

Local authorities could reinstate their own stricter and specific 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. 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)