Travelling to Eleuthera or another island in the Bahamas and are wondering what are COVID-19 travel requirements?

The following travel and entry protocols have been put in place to ensure The Bahamas is a safe and clean destination for all to enjoy.

STEP 1: Testing Requirements

VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Effective August 6, 2021, those travelling to The Bahamas from other countries who have been fully vaccinated will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival in The Bahamas. The name and address of the lab where the test was performed must be clearly displayed on the test result.
  • Effective August 6, 2021, all fully vaccinated travellers wishing to travel inter-island within The Bahamas, including Bahamian citizens and residents, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of travel from the following islands: Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, Abaco, and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Unvaccinated travellers ages 12 and older entering The Bahamas and/or those travelling inter-island from Nassau & Paradise Island, Grand Bahama Island, Bimini, Exuma, Abaco, and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island, must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR (swab) test taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival. Test must return a negative result for entry into The Bahamas.
  • As of August 6, 2021, all children, between the ages of 2 and 11, wishing to enter The Bahamas will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), taken no more than five (5) days prior to the date of arrival to The Bahamas.
  • All children under the age of 2 are exempt from any testing requirements
    • Negative PCR test results must be uploaded in order to complete a Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, and must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.
    • Any person presenting test results older than 5 days will not be allowed entry into The Bahamas.

STEP 2: Bahamas Travel Health Visa Application

All persons travelling to The Bahamas, and those travelling inter-island, are required to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa at travel.gov.bs.

VACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • Fully vaccinated travellers will be required to upload negative test results (either a Rapid Antigen Test or PCR), in addition to valid proof of vaccination (such as CDC or government issued vaccine record card).
    • Please note: Fully vaccinated persons applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa up to and including Thursday, August 5, 2021, will not be subject to a COVID-19 test.  
    • Applications for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa can be submitted 14 days prior to travel; therefore, all applications submitted and approved prior to Friday, August 6, 2021, will be honoured for the purpose of entering The Bahamas. 
  • For international travellers, proof of vaccination must confirm they have passed the two-week immunity period.
  • At this time The Bahamas Government will only be accepting vaccines by Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca.
  • Mixed and matched second doses of COVID-19 vaccines of either AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna or even Johnson & Johnson are also accepted.

UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS

  • All unvaccinated persons, ages 12 and older, will be required to upload their negative COVID-19 PCR test results. Tests must be taken no more than 5 days prior to the date of arrival.
  • Children between the ages of 2 and 11 will be required to upload their negative Rapid Antigen Test or PCR test results.
    • Please note: Children ages 2-11 applying for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa up to and including Thursday, August 5, 2021, will not be subject to a COVID-19 test.  
    • Applications for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa can be submitted 14 days prior to travel, therefore, all applications submitted and approved prior to Friday, August 6, 2021, will be honoured for the purpose of entering The Bahamas. 

ALL TRAVELLERS: VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED

    • As part of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application, travellers will be required to opt-in to COVID-19 health insurance that covers them for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas. The cost of insurance is included in the Bahamas Travel Health Visa application fee.

 

  • Bahamas Travel Health Visa applications take up to 48 hours to process and should be completed with adequate lead time.
  • The cost of the Bahamas Travel Health Visa is dependent on length of stay and vaccination status.
  • All travellers eighteen (18) years and older are required to complete an individual Bahamas Travel Health Visa application.
  • Persons seventeen (17) years and younger are to add a profile within the account of their parent or guardian.

Basic Q & A for On Island Experience

Are on-island businesses, restaurants and attractions operating normally?

Notwithstanding any public health restrictions that may be implemented from time to time, all travellers abiding by these new protocols will be permitted to move about and explore the beauty and vibrant culture of The Bahamas beyond the confines of their hotel or other accommodations.

Conditions and instances of the virus can be different on each of the 16 islands available to welcome visitors, which may lead to increased restrictions for businesses, restaurants, beaches and attractions.

  •  In some cases, islands may have curfew or lockdown orders in place for limited periods of time.
  • Travellers should check the status of their island destination before travelling, by visiting the “Know Before You Go” Interactive Island Guide on Bahamas.com/travelupdates.

What are the requirements for travellers who are staying on an island that has curfew or lockdown measures in place?

  • Visitors will be required to adhere to all island restrictions, including curfew and lockdown measures, applicable to the island where they are staying.
  • As curfews may be in place, travellers should check the status of their island destination before travelling by visiting the “Know Before You Go” Interactive Island Guide on Bahamas.com/travelupdates.
  • Hotel guests must stay within hotel grounds for the duration of the lockdown or curfew period; however, they are permitted to move about the property and access all available amenities.

What is the status of beaches?

  • All public and private beaches and parks are operating normally, with a few restrictions. Please check our Interactive Island Guide for details.

What is the status of restaurants?

  • Restaurants on most islands are allowed to operate indoor and outdoor dining, as well as curbside pickup, delivery, drive-thru and takeaway; however, some restrictions are in place by island. Please check our Interactive Island Guide for details. Please check our Interactive Island Guide for details.

When do I have to wear a face mask?

  • All travellers must wear a face mask in any situation where it is necessary to enforce physical distancing guidelines, such as:
    • When entering and transiting air and sea terminals
    • During security and customs screenings
    • At baggage claim
    • When checking in and boarding aircraft, vessel or other form of transportation
    • When travelling in a taxi
    • When standing in lines
    • When entering any establishment
    • While checking into a hotel

Do I have to wear a face mask at the beach?

  • Face masks are not mandatory on the beach but must be worn in all other public spaces that surround the beach and while entering and exiting the beach.
  • Social distancing is mandatory on the beach

What if I don’t wear a face mask?

  • All persons, including Bahamian residents and visitors, are subject to a new fine of $250 or a penalty of one month imprisonment, or both if they are found not wearing face masks in areas where it is required.

 

For further information visit https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates.