Aruba: Aruba maintains international travel restrictions and domestic business measures related to COVID-19 as of Dec. 22 /update 18

Officials in Aruba maintain COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of Dec. 22. Other internal measures remain in place.

Event

As of Dec. 22, Aruba maintains international travel and domestic restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Travelers from Canada, the US, Europe, and all Latin American countries except Venezuela are permitted to travel to Aruba; those from other countries are not permitted entrance. Despite the travel bans, cargo and emergency flights at Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) have been allowed to operate normally.

Enhanced health screenings and requirements continue to be enforced for arriving passengers:

All travelers are required to complete a digital Embarkation-Disembarkation Card (ED card) and must purchase mandatory coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health insurance before travel.
Arrivals must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure for Aruba and uploaded no later than 12 hours before departure.
Any persons arriving without a negative COVID-19 test will be tested at the airport at their own expense, followed by a mandatory 24-hour quarantine in their accommodations while awaiting test results.
Passengers who decline to take the test and those who test positive for COVID-19 will be quarantined at an approved location.
Travelers from Bonaire do not need to be tested or quarantined, and COVID-19 insurance is not required.

Domestic Measures
All businesses and establishments must continue to ensure that employees and customers keep at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart, that sick workers stay home, and that enhanced sanitation and hygiene protocols are enforced. Some industries may be required to adhere to additional sector-specific requirements. Other previously announced restrictions on movements, group activities, and commercial activities remain in place. As of Dec. 1, some restrictions have been eased on family visits and restaurants:

Individuals are required to use facemasks in all indoor public spaces, public transport, and tour buses.
A so-called "area ban" prohibits all visits to beaches, coastal zones, and parking lots between 0001-0500.
All commercial establishments are required to close by 2300.
All large gatherings in the workplace are to be avoided.
Restaurants may operate with seating capacity limits; groups of 14 people are allowed to sit together indoors and 20 outdoors. Bars, nightclubs, and rum shops must stay closed, and musical entertainment is suspended except for ambient or background music.
Funerals are to be limited to 25 attendees. Churches may offer services under strict operating protocols.
Beach weddings are only permitted with up to 25 people in attendance.
Visits to elderly care homes are prohibited.
All contact sports and indoor group sports are prohibited.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on local disease activity.

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. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.