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International Restrictions:

*Entry to Antigua and Barbuda: All aircrafts must arrive at VC Bird International Airport or the private jet terminal. Only licensed taxis are permitted to pick up or drop off passengers at either the airport or private jet terminal.

All Marine Pleasure Craft and Ferry Services entering the waters of Antigua and Barbuda should contact the Antigua Port Authority, using VHF Channel 16, at least six (6) hours prior to arrival. Instructions will be given to guide the crafts to either the Nevis Street Pier or English Harbour Ports or to a holding area.

*Testing / screening on arrival: The following measures apply to travellers to Antigua and Barbuda regardless of vaccination status:

All passengers 12 years and older arriving by air in Antigua and Barbuda, including those transiting the country, must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test. Up to and including 31 May this must be taken no more than seven days before arrival. From 1 June the test must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Only tests administered by health care professionals are valid. Home tests are not permitted.

Further health screening is in place at VC Bird International Airport and the private jet terminal for all international arrivals. All passengers arriving on or after 1 June will be tested for COVID on arrival in Antigua and Barbuda by health officials. This test must be paid for. This travel advice will be updated on cost and payment methods once confirmed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Additional measures are subject to change but may include mandatory temperature, travel history checks, a check on whether your accommodation is on the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Approved List, and completion of a Health Declaration Form. You should expect long waiting times on arrival.

You should arrange to take a private test. Passengers arriving by sea up to and including 31 May must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than seven days before their last point of departure and follow the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Yachting Health and Safety Guidance and Operational Protocols.

From 1 June, this test must be taken no more than 72 hours before the last point of departure. All Marine Pleasure Craft and Ferry Services entering the waters of Antigua and Barbuda should contact the Antigua Port Authority, using VHF Channel 16, at least six (6) hours prior to arrival. Instructions will be given to guide the crafts to either the Nevis Street Pier or English Harbour Ports or to a holding area where they must follow the screening and quarantine instructions of Port Health. All passengers arriving on or after 1 June will be tested for COVID on arrival in Antigua and Barbuda by health officials. This test must be paid for. This travel advice will be updated on cost and payment methods once confirmed by the government of Antigua and Barbuda.

*Quarantine requirements: On arrival, you will be subject to health screening including, from 1 June, COVID tests. The Ministry of Health and Wellness of Antigua and Barbuda advise that all arrivals will be monitored for coronavirus for up to 14 days and that ultimately it is the decision of the Quarantine Authority on who must self-isolate or quarantine on arrival.

In practice, tourists arriving with pre-booked hotel accommodation from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Approved List will normally be permitted to travel to their accommodation after screening (including COVID tests) and be allowed to move around the country providing they adhere to local social distancing measures. This is regardless of their vaccination status.

Visitors staying with family, friends, in private accommodation, in their own place of residence, or other location not on the Government of Antigua and Barbuda’s Approved List will be subject to an interview to determine suitability to leave for their accommodation arrangements. Those permitted to self-isolate in their accommodation will have to do so for a period up to 14 days and may be required to wear a quarantine bracelet to ensure compliance. This is regardless of their vaccination status.

Residents of Antigua and Barbuda who have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine regimen, or one dose of a one-dose regimen, who arrive at least fourteen after their last / only vaccine days will be permitted to travel to their accommodation (if deemed appropriate) and self-isolate pending the results of the COVID test taken on arrival.

Residents and visitors not deemed to have suitable accommodation arrangements will be obliged to remain in government quarantine at their expense for the period directed by the Quarantine Authority up to a period of 14 days. The fee is XCD 100 per day.

Failure to comply with any order, guideline or direction of the Quarantine Authority or other health authorities is considered an offence carrying a fine of up to XCD 10,000 and/or six months imprisonment.

Internal Restrictions:

*Travel in Antigua and Barbuda: For information on entering Antigua and Barbuda, see Entry requirements. A State of Emergency is in place until 30 June. Under these measures:

• all persons must remain in their accommodation from 11pm to 5am each day unless seeking urgent medical attention

• face masks must be worn in any public place and must be worn for entry in to any supermarket or market

• face masks must cover nose and mouth, leave eyes, forehead, and ears visible, and cannot be worn at the same time as head coverings or dark glasses

• all bars are closed. Gyms are allowed to operate providing all patrons make an appointment, wear a mask the entire time, and must not remain in the gym for longer than one hour

• in-house dining at restaurants is permitted

• retailers such as food and clothes shops, pharmacies, and hardware stores are allowed to operate

• public-facing government offices have restricted opening hours and visitors beaches are open between 5am and 7pm for exercise or relaxation only. During these hours picnics, music, drinking alcohol, and parties are prohibited. See Swimming for more information. All beaches will be on 24 May for local public holidays.

• no more than two people may travel in a motor vehicle at any one time if they are not of the same household. Members of the same household comprising more than two people may travel together in the same vehicle. Face masks must be worn in motor vehicles when there is more than one occupant

• Only licensed taxis may pick up or drop off passengers at VC Bird International Airport; private vehicles may not pick up or drop off passengers

• people may undertake exercise in open fields, at the side of roads, and play golf or tennis between 5am and 6pm each day. They may be accompanied by members of their household, or by one other person if they are not of their household. All must observe a distance of six feet and wear face masks.

• private parties, social events such as banquets, and clubs/societies which host more than one household are permitted provided there are no more than 25 persons and all must observe a distance of six feet and wear face masks

• church services may resume face-to-face gatherings providing that they all observe distances of six feet and wear a face mask

• weddings, funerals, and baptisms may take place with a limit of 25 participants; no celebrations/wakes may be held after the service;

• residents of Antigua and Barbuda who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to enter government quarantine and wear a quarantine bracelet. Those in their household will be required to undergo testing and may also be required to enter a government quarantine facility and wear a quarantine bracelet.

Failure to comply with the State of Emergency regulations and/or instructions from government health authorities will result in either a fine of up to XCD10,000 and/or six months imprisonment.

The Antigua and Barbuda Emergency Medical Service are asking the public to call the COVID-19 inquiries hotline on (+1 268) 462 6843 if they suspect they might have contracted the virus, been exposed to or any other matters relating to the virus. The public are asked to call the hotline and not visit a healthcare facility unless instructed to.