French Caribbean Islands: Most COVID-19-related domestic restrictions lifted as of April 14 /update 33

Event

Authorities in the French Caribbean islands have lifted most COVID-19-related domestic restrictions as of April 14 as the islands have ended the health state of emergency. All nightly curfews have been lifted. The requirement to present a COVID-19 health pass to enter most establishments has been lifted across all French Caribbean islands; however, those entering hospitals and other medical facilities must still present the document. The requirements to wear facemasks in public spaces have mostly been lifted, except on public transport and aircraft.

Additionally, some travel measures have been eased. The French Caribbean islands have lifted quarantine requirements for non-vaccinated arrivals from Green and Orange locations while maintaining the requirement for unvaccinated arrivals to justify their travel. Additionally, the pre-travel testing timeframe for all arrivals has been extended from 24 hours before travel to 72 hours before travel for PCR tests and 48 hours before travel for antigen tests. French authorities have also updated the list of countries in the three-tier color-coded system used to apply international travel restrictions. Other travel measures remain largely unchanged.

Domestic Measures
All individuals must wear facemasks on public transport and on aircraft. Hospitals and medical facilities continue to require that individuals present a COVID-19 health pass to enter. 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.

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 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 use a three-tier, color-coded system to classify countries and 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: All arrivals ages 12 and older must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken 48 hours before travel. Additionally, travelers without a certificate of vaccination or recovery may only travel to the French Caribbean islands for imperative reasons and may be tested upon arrival. As of April 14, most countries are classed as green locations, including all European member states and the vast majority of countries in the Americas, including the US, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile. Additionally, most sub-Saharan African countries are considered green locations. Fewer Asian-Pacific countries are currently considered Green locations, including India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, and New Zealand.

• Orange locations: All arrivals ages 12 and older must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken 48 hours before travel. Travelers without proof of vaccination must prove their journey is essential and may need to take a COVID-19 test upon arrival. All countries and territories not listed as green locations are currently subject to these restrictions as of April 14, including Australia, China, Thailand, Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic, Algeria, Libya, and Mali.

• Red locations: All arrivals ages 12 and older must present a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure or an antigen test taken 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 April 14, no locations are classed under this level.

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)