Barbados: Authorities lift curfew and ease some COVID-related restrictions June 29 /update 31

Event

Authorities in Barbados have eased certain COVID-19-related measures and lifted all curfew restrictions effective June 29. Under the new directives, all businesses and other establishments have permission to reopen provided they adhere to strict protocols on the use of protective facemasks, social distancing, and sanitation, as well as other industry-specific guidelines.

The following restrictions, however, will remain in effect until at least July 19:

• Pleasure craft and charter boats may not carry more than 50 percent of their authorized number of passengers.

• Authorized public entertainment establishments, pleasure craft, or private vessels may host events with up to 150 people. Those attending must either be fully vaccinated or present a negative PCR test taken within 24 hours prior to the event.

• Meetings of civic associations, private or social clubs, and other organizations may resume provided they comply with health protocols. Such gatherings are limited to 100 people.

• The wearing of facemasks remains mandatory in all public spaces; children aged 6 or under are exempt.

• Individuals must adhere to physical distancing protocols by maintaining at least 1.8 meters (6 feet) between each other except in houses of worship, at funerals, or in authorized public entertainment venues, where officials have reduced physical distancing requirement to 1 meter (3 feet).

International Travel Protocols
Travel protocols are applied to all travelers, regardless of their country of departure. All travelers must wear facemasks at the airport. Existing international entry requirements include the following:

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

• All travelers must submit an immigration and customs form 24 hours before travel to enter Barbados; the form is available online or on the BIMSafe mobile application.

• All arrivals must take a rapid antigen test on arrival.

• Unvaccinated travelers must complete a mandatory quarantine period at a government-approved accommodation; they will also undergo another PCR test on their fifth day in the country and may leave quarantine if this test is negative. Travelers must wear a tracking bracelet during the quarantine period.

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

Travelers who provide proof of vaccination are not required to adhere to quarantine measures as long as they present a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than three days prior to departure for Barbados, receive a negative result from a PCR test taken upon arrival on the island, and have also spent 21 days outside of "countries of special consideration" (i.e. India, Brazil, and South Africa) before arrival. Such persons must quarantine at their accommodations until the result of their post-arrival test becomes known; results may take 1-2 days. The government defines "fully vaccinated individuals" as persons who completed their vaccination series more than two weeks before their travel to Barbados.

Travelers who have been to Brazil, India, or South Africa in the 21 days prior to arrival must apply for a visa to enter Barbados and will be subject to at least 8 days of quarantine and other testing requirements regardless of their vaccination status.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions 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