Barbados: Authorities extend COVID-19-related curfew and most restrictions through at least Aug. 22 /update 34

Event

Authorities in Barbados are extending the COVID-19-related curfew as well as other public health measures through at least Aug. 22. The nightly curfew remains 23:00-05:00; all persons, except those providing an essential service or attending to an emergency, must remain in their homes during curfew hours.

Currently, all businesses, except for dance studios and clubs, are allowed to operate provided they adhere to strict protocols on the use of protective facemasks, social distancing, and sanitation, as well as other industry-specific guidelines. From Aug. 9, dance studios and clubs will also be allowed to reopen with protocols in place.

Additionally, the following restrictions remain in effect:

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

• Private parties are banned.

• 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 under five years of age are exempt.

• Individuals must adhere to physical distancing protocols by maintaining at least 1 meter (3 feet) of space between each other in most public spaces.

International Travel Protocols
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 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

• All travelers must submit online or present to authorities an immigration and customs form by the time of arrival to enter Barbados; the form is available online or on the BIMSafe mobile application.

• Fully vaccinated travelers must take a second PCR test upon arrival and remain at approved accommodations while awaiting the test result. They may travel through the country upon receiving a negative result from this test.

• 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.

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

In addition to adhering to the abovementioned pre-arrival testing requirements, travelers who have been in "countries of special consideration" within the past 21 days must take another PCR test upon arrival, complete seven days of quarantine, and test negative for COVID-19 again on the eighth day after arrival in order to travel throughout the country, regardless of whether or not they are fully vaccinated. As of Aug. 7, the following are considered "countries of special consideration": Argentina, Angola, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Georgia, Eswatini, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nepal, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Reunion, Republic of the Congo, Singapore, South Africa, Suriname, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Fully vaccinated individuals traveling from "travel bubble" countries and territories are exempt from taking a second test upon arrival. As of Aug. 7, "travel bubble" countries and territories include the following: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Bonaire, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos, and Montserrat.

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