Barbados: Officials to loosen COVID-19-related curfew and other restrictions from March 15 /update 25

Event

As of March 15, officials in Barbados are continuing their reopening plans under the COVID-19 response, and have eased several restrictions. The nightly curfew has been scaled back by two hours to 2100-0600 and will remain in place until March 27. Residents are not allowed to leave their homes during the curfew, except for emergencies and authorized personnel.

Effective March 15, several nonessential businesses that were previously ordered to close, may reopen including include grooming services, fast-food restaurants for drive-through and pick-up, restaurants for in-house dining, nurseries, and daycares. Bars, cinemas, gyms and fitness studios, nightclubs and discos, are to remain closed and pleasure craft operations and private boat charters remain suspended. Other restrictions on business operations, public gatherings, and recreational activities include:

• Authorized businesses may operate Mondays through Saturdays, until 1800. Only essential businesses and services are allowed to operate on Sundays.

• All social gatherings and events are banned.

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of five people per group (or eight people from the same household).

• Religious services are to be capped at 75 people, while funerals and weddings are limited to 25 and 20 people in attendance respectively.

• Beaches and public parks will be opened 0600-0900 and 1500-1800 daily, for exercise only.

• Public transport is capped at 75-percent capacity.

• The wearing of a facemask remains mandatory in all public spaces.

Individuals must continue to adhere to physical distancing protocols by maintaining at least 1 meter (3.3 feet) between each other. Authorities also require establishments to enforce strict physical distancing and sanitization protocols; additional industry-specific protocols are likely in place.

International Travel Protocols
International travel is continuing. Standard travel protocols are being applied to all travelers, regardless of the country departure point. All travelers are required to wear facemasks at the airport. Entry requirements are:

• Authorities require all persons intending to enter Barbados to present a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

• For entry into Barbados, all travelers must submit an online Immigration/Customs form 24 hours before travel, available online or on the BIMSafe mobile application.

• All arrivals are required to take a rapid antigen test on arrival. Travelers who test negative are required to complete a mandatory five-day quarantine at a government-authorized quarantine center before another PCR test is administered to confirm if the traveler is safe to exit the quarantine. Travelers will be required to wear a tracking bracelet during the quarantine period.

• Any traveler who tests positive will enter an isolation facility.

Authorities could amend any domestic restrictions or entry requirements with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government Travel Protocols
Pre-Arrival Travel Form
Government Restrictions March 15-27