Curacao: Authorities have tightened COVID-19-related international travel restrictions as of Sept. 13 /update 30

Event

As of Sept. 13, authorities in Curacao have tightened COVID-19-related international travel restrictions, requiring pre-travel tests to be taken within 48 hours before departure instead of 72 hours prior to departure for Curacao from selected locations. Domestic restrictions remain unchanged compared to those in place in late August.

Under the current directives, all travelers entering Curacao must have medical insurance that covers their trip. All arrivals must also complete the digital immigration card and the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) prior to departure; travelers must carry printed or digital proof of having completed the PLC.

Additional requirements for individuals aged 12 or older depend on the designation of the location they are traveling from:

• Very Low Risk: No additional requirements. As of Sept. 13, locations under this risk rating are: Cayman Islands, China, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Montserrat, New Zealand, Poland, Saba, Singapore, Saint Eustatius, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Taiwan.

• Low Risk: There are no additional requirements for fully vaccinated residents. Unvaccinated residents and all visitors must show proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure for Curacao or an antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure; these travelers must also take an antigen test three days after arrival. As of Sept. 13, low-risk locations are Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Germany, Guyana, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Peru, Saint Barthelemy, Sweden, and Uruguay.

• High Risk: All travelers must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure, or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure. All travelers, except for fully vaccinated residents, must take an antigen test three days after arrival. High-risk locations include all countries and territories not mentioned in the abovementioned categories.

• Very High Risk: All travelers must show proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure, and must take an antigen test three days after arrival. Aruba, Cuba, Dominica, France, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Israel, Martinique, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, the UK, the US, the US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela are considered very high-risk locations as of Sept. 13.

Individuals under the age of 12 who do not show symptoms are not required to be tested. All passengers arriving in private vessels are subject to the same restrictions as those arriving from a high-risk location. All travelers may also undergo additional health screenings. Officials could place travelers with COVID-19 symptoms in mandatory quarantine.

Domestic Measures
Under the current directives, a nightly 00:01-04:30 curfew is in place, during which only people working in essential services are allowed to be outside of their residences. Additionally, gatherings of more than 100 people are banned. Businesses must close at least one hour before the start of the nightly curfew. Individuals are required to wear protective facemasks in indoor public settings and while riding public transportation.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, tighten, 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. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government of Curacao
Government COVID-19 Information
Government Travel Restrictions
Digital Immigration Card and PLC