Curacao: Authorities ease certain COVID-19-related measures Feb. 21 /update 37

Event

Authorities in Curacao will ease certain COVID-19-related travel measures from Feb. 21. While all territories were previously considered "very high risk" locations, authorities will classify Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Maarten, and Statia as "very low risk" locations from Feb. 21. Travelers who have remained on these islands for at least 14 days prior to travel to Curacao must complete an immigration card and Passenger Locator Card prior to departure but will be exempt from pre-travel testing requirements.

The nightly curfew has been lifted and all COVID-19-related restrictions on the hour's businesses are allowed to operate have been lifted. Authorities have also lifted social distancing requirements and the mandatory use of facemasks outdoors; facemasks are still required when indoors and recommended if social distancing is not possible outside and maintaining social distancing is still an official recommendation. Limits on public gatherings have been lifted.

Domestic Measures
Individuals must continue to wear a facemask within enclosed spaces, while providing services to others, on public transportation, and its use remains a recommendation in places where it is physically difficult to practice social distancing. There are no limitations on public gatherings as of Feb. 21.

Individuals in Curacao are only eligible to receive a digital vaccination certificate (DCC) only after receiving both a full series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine and a booster shot.

International Travel Restrictions
Officials currently classify countries and territories into different COVID-19-related risk categories for the purposes of applying corresponding international travel restrictions. As of Feb. 21, Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Maarten, and Statia are considered "very low risk" locations, and all other countries and territories are considered "very high risk" locations. For a full list of countries and territories by risk designation, click here.

To enter Curacao, individuals who have been in a "very high-risk" location in 14 days prior to travel must complete a digital immigration card before travel and a Passenger Locator Card within 48 hours prior to departing for the island. These travelers must also have proof of a negative result from a PCR test taken 48 hours prior to their flight and must take an antigen test on their third day in Curacao. If travelers have been in a "very low risk" location for at least 14 days prior to travel, they will be exempt from pre-testing requirements.

Authorities in Curacao accept the DCC of Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, and the EU as official proof of vaccination, and permit holders of these documents to travel to the island with such proof of completed vaccination.

Individuals under the age of 12 who do not show symptoms are not required to comply with testing requirements. All arriving travelers are subject to a health screening at Curacao International Airport (CUR). Arriving travelers displaying COVID-19 symptoms or failing to comply with COVID-19-related travel restrictions may be subject to quarantine.

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