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International Restrictions:
*Entry to The Bahamas: Flight availability is restricted, only limited international and domestic flight options are available while the state of emergency remains in force. Arrival via transit destinations such as Cuba, may be possible for eligible travellers. This is subject to change. Refer to the travel advice and restrictions before travelling.
*Arrival: Health Visa and Quarantine requirement: Under the emergency orders, the government of The Bahamas have introduced mandatory health visa and insurance procedures and mandatory testing for visitors, nationals and residents entering The Bahamas. The orders which set this out are available on the Prime Minister’s website and on the Tourism Ministry’s website. The rules are subject to change at short notice. Visitors entering must follow the mandatory requirements for entering The Bahamas, including the COVID-19 testing and Travel Health Visa Application procedures outlined below. A negative COVID-19 RT PCR (molecular swab) test certificate is required on entry as well as a health visa application for international travel. The negative test results must be uploaded when completing the Travel Health Visa Application prior to arrival. The test must not have been taken more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. The health visa application is available from The Bahamas travel page. Travellers are required to opt-in to a health insurance which covers them for the duration of their stay. The cost will be included in the Travel Health Visa application. An automated email response will be provided once the application is completed. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas. Allow 72 hours to process. Children 11 years old or younger are exempt from presenting a COVID-19 test upon entering The Bahamas. From 1 May 2021 there is an exemption to testing for travellers who can upload evidence of full vaccination to their health visa application.
*Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status: In addition to the health visa requirements, health screening and social distancing measures are in effect at all international and domestic airports. You should expect longer waiting times on arrival. After 1 November, travellers who are staying in The Bahamas more than four nights/five days will be required to take a rapid antigen test and complete daily health questionnaires. More details are available at the Ministry of Tourism’s website.
*Entry for residents: If you are ordinarily resident in The Bahamas but unable to return due to the travel restrictions you should refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for further information on repatriation and the Ministry of Tourism and the COVID-19 Travel page. Internal Restrictions:
*Travel in the Bahamas: A public state of emergency in place under the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) Orders, 2021. The measures are available at the Office of the Prime Minister website and are subject to change by the Bahamian government.
*Inter-island travel: Inter-island travel rules are subject to change at short notice. Before you travel, review the latest schedule of islands that has restricted travel measures in force. From 1 May 2021 there will be an exemption to testing for those persons who can upload evidence of full vaccination to their health visa application. Details of the travel health card application for domestic travel are available from the Bahamian government website.
*Public places and services: Certain rules are in place on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama. Details of these rules, which include a curfew and limitations on social gatherings, are available at the Office of the Prime Minister website, subject to change.
The following measures are in place throughout the Bahamas:
• Face masks must be worn in any public space and must be worn for entry into supermarkets, pharmacies and businesses
• Face masks or coverings must cover your nose and mouth; face mask must also be visible and easily identifiable
• A government issued identification must be carried on person to present at police checkpoints, which have been established on several islands
• Social gatherings are subject to restrictions which vary across the islands
• Socially distancing is set at 6ft apart. You may be required to stand or sit in a designated area according to the social distancing measures in place in a particular location
• Hand washing and/or hand sanitizing is required upon entry into public buildings and private establishments. A security guard may ask you to wash your hands or they may spray your hands with a disinfectant
• Health officers can order persons to be detained for screening and assessment and may order isolation or quarantine on reasonable grounds in order to prevent further spread of the disease. Visitors may incur the cost of quarantine and testing in government designated quarantine facilities
Failure to comply with the Emergency (COVID-19) Orders, will result in fines and/or imprisonment. All Emergency Orders are available on the Office of the Prime Minister’s COVID19 section.
*Accommodation: The Ministry of Tourism provides information about accommodation that has received a ‘Clean and Pristine’ certificate from The Bahamas’ Clean and Pristine Certification Agency. Hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts provide tourists with information on how the Emergency (COVID-19) Orders apply to their establishments.
• Beaches and national parks are subject to restrictions, which vary across the islands
• Social gatherings are subject to restrictions which vary across the islands
• Socially distancing is set at 6ft apart. You may be required to stand or sit in a designated area according to the social distancing measures in place in a particular location
• Hand washing and/or hand sanitizing is required upon entry into public buildings and private establishments. A security guard may ask you to wash your hands or they may spray your hands with a disinfectant
• Health officers can order persons to be detained for screening and assessment and may order isolation or quarantine on reasonable grounds in order to prevent further spread of the disease. Visitors may incur the cost of quarantine and testing in government designated quarantine facilities
Failure to comply with the Emergency (COVID-19) Orders, will result in fines and/or imprisonment. All Emergency Orders are available on the Office of the Prime Minister’s COVID19 section.
*Accommodation: The Ministry of Tourism provides information about accommodation that has received a ‘Clean and Pristine’ certificate from The Bahamas’ Clean and Pristine Certification Agency. Hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts provide tourists with information on how the Emergency (COVID-19) Orders apply to their establishments.