Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Statement on Updated U.S. Guidelines on Testing and Quarantine for All Air Passengers Arriving in The United States
Bahamas Protocols Help Travellers Seamlessly Integrate New Regulations Which Take Effect on January 26, 2021

NASSAU, Bahamas, January 22, 2021 – On January 12, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a requirement that all air passengers flying to the U.S. from a foreign country will be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (PCR or Antigen test), taken no more than 3 days prior to the flight.

Yesterday, the U.S. Government released a new executive order which states travellers will also be required to comply with other applicable CDC guidelines concerning international travel, including recommended periods of 7-10 days self-quarantine or self-isolation after entry into the United States. These new regulations will apply to all travellers ages 2 and older, including U.S. citizens and international travellers. The order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last three months must be prepared to show documentation of recovery, which consists of proof of their positive viral test, coupled with a letter from a healthcare provider or a public health official, providing clearance to travel.

Airlines will be responsible for confirming the negative test result or documentation of recovery for all passengers before they board and will deny boarding to any person who does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery or chooses not to take a test. 

Upon entry to the United States, the CDC recommends that travellers receive another test 3-5 days after travel and stay home or otherwise self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. Even if the test is negative, travellers should stay home for the full 7 days. For those who do not get tested, they are required to stay home for 10 days. State and local recommendations or requirements related to travel will also apply to each individual. 

The Government of The Bahamas has successfully implemented stringent measures to protect its citizens, residents and visitors, and is well positioned to adhere to this new order, seamlessly integrating the CDC’s testing requirements into The Bahamas’ existing COVID-19 protocols.

Currently, visitors to The Bahamas who stay longer than four nights and five days are required to take a rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their stay, with a number of testing sites throughout The Bahamas approved to administer tests. This means travellers and residents alike, readily have access to the viral tests, now required to enter the U.S.  

“The Bahamas Government will continue to work in accordance with the CDC to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has been our top priority since the onset of this global pandemic,” said Dionisio D'Aguilar, The Bahamas Minister of Tourism & Aviation. “Our journey has not been without bumps in the road, but we have made great strides in combatting this virus as evidenced by the very low case numbers we have now achieved.

Visitors to our shores should have peace of mind knowing that we are making every effort to keep The Bahamas safe, and can now offer a turnkey, affordable and reliable testing process that meets U.S. requirements.”

All U.S. travellers to The Bahamas as well as Bahamian citizens and residents are required to abide by the CDC’s protocols to enter the U.S. An overview of these requirements, as well as FAQ, can be found on the CDC website.

For a list of approved COVD-19 testing sites in The Bahamas, as well as a full overview of The Bahamas’ travel and entry protocols, please visit Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

Due to the fluidity of COVID-19, the Government of The Bahamas will continue to monitor cases across the islands and loosen or tighten restrictions as needed. The Bahamas is an archipelago with more than 700 islands and cays, spread over 100,000 square miles, which means conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors. Travellers should check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting Bahamas.com/travelupdates. 

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PRESS INQUIRIES

Anita Johnson-Patty
General Manager, Global Communications
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation
ajohnson@bahamas.com

Weber Shandwick
Public Relations
Bahamas@webershandwick.com