Barbados: Officials to intensify COVID-19-related restrictions Feb. 3-17 /update 21

Event

Officials in Barbados have announced that stricter domestic measures and requirements for entry will be implemented Feb. 3-Feb. 17 to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The new measures will severely restrict all nonessential business and commercial activity in Barbados. Existing restrictions will continue to be enforced unchanged until the new measures take effect.

Effective Feb. 3, the current 2100-0500 curfew will be amended to 1900-0600. Only essential services, fuel-related businesses, and hotels are permitted to operate during the curfew. Officials have already banned all social gatherings, while commercial pleasure cruises and paid public parties or fetes remain prohibited; these restrictions will continue. Other tightened restrictions on businesses will be enforced from Feb. 3 as follows:

• Only essential services in the public and private sectors will remain in operation.

• Supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations, excluding convenience stores, will remain open. Supermarkets may operate 0800-1500 Monday-Friday, while pharmacies and gas stations may also operate on weekends.

• Gyms, restaurants, bars, markets, and shops must stay closed.

• Banks must remain closed Feb. 3-9.

• Construction projects must stop; only work on Highway 1 will continue.

• Public transport may only operate at 60-percent seating capacity.

• The wearing of a facemask will be 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
Effective Feb. 3, authorities will 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. Nonetheless, these testing requirements are already in place for travelers from high- and medium-risk countries and territories, though all travelers will also be required to take a rapid antigen test on arrival. Additionally, from Feb. 3, travelers who test negative will also be 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. Any traveler who tests positive will enter an isolation facility.

As of Jan. 27, pandemic-related travel protocols based on the risk levels of any countries that a traveler has traveled or transited from within 21 days before their arrival in Barbados are still being applied and will likely remain in place until the new requirements take effect. Currently, except for persons arriving from low- and very low-risk countries, all travelers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival for entry permission. Travelers from low-risk countries may present a negative test taken up to five days before travel or take a test upon arrival. Any traveler who tests positive will enter an isolation facility. Visitors arriving from designated high-risk and medium-risk countries must take a second PCR test five days after their arrival. All travelers are required to wear facemasks at the airport. For entry into Barbados, all travelers must submit an online Immigration/Customs form 24 hours before travel. Health screenings and quarantine protocols vary for travelers, depending on the country of origin:

• High-Risk Countries: Travelers must arrive with negative test results and complete a period of so-called "restricted movement" at a government facility or approved private accommodation. This period will last until travelers test negative for COVID-19 a second time. The second test is administered five days after the first negative test. Completion time is typically 24 to 48 hours after the test arrives at the laboratory. Upon completion of the second test, the restricted movement period ends. Travelers will be subject to daily health monitoring for seven days. High-risk countries include the US, UK, Canada, and Mexico.

• Medium-Risk Countries: Travelers must arrive with negative test results and are subject to daily health monitoring for seven days. Travelers are required to take a second test five days after the first accepted negative test.

• Low-Risk Countries: Travelers are encouraged to arrive with negative test results. Those who fail to do so will be required to take a test upon arrival.

• Very Low-Risk Countries: Travelers will not be subject to any additional health screening and quarantine protocols.

As of Jan. 27, high- and medium-risk countries where stricter entry requirements are in place include Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Martinique, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, United Kingdom, United States, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela (all high-risk), as well as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, New Zealand, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (all medium-risk).

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks. The risk classification of all countries is also subject to change at short notice.

Advice

Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Confirm appointments and travel arrangements. Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.

Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
Government Travel Protocols
Pre-Arrival Travel Form