Caribbean here we come! What travellers need to know when planning a trip to the Caribbean

BY JONELL PANTLITZ

If you are ready to travel, we got you covered. Here is a break down of some Caribbean Islands whose borders are open.

First, make sure to register as a Canadian Abroad. It is a free service that allows the Government of Canada to notify you in case of an emergency abroad or a personal emergency at home. The service also enables you to receive important information before or during a natural disaster or civil unrest. Now that you are covered there, let’s get you travelling.

Aruba
In Aruba, visitor’s insurance is mandatory. Proof that you do not have COVID-19 is also a mandatory requirement to enter Aruba. Take good notice of the mandatory quarantine period of 24 hours in case one opts to be tested upon arrival. Purchase Aruba’s COVID-19 insurance and agree to health screening as well as temperature checks on arrival.

Antigua and Barbuda
Borders are open to foreign travellers. All travellers and transit passengers arriving by international flights must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR medical certificate issued within seven days of their flight. Upon arrival, visitors are subject to medical screening and must complete a health declaration form.

Barbados
All travellers should have a negative PCR COVID-19 test result. Travellers are also required to complete the online Immigration and Customs Form, which will be available 72 hours prior to your arrival in Barbados. Anyone who arrives without being tested will be subjected to a mandatory test on arrival and must wait in isolation until the results are ready.

The Bahamas
All travellers must fill out an online Health Visa, present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result that has been taken no more than ten days prior to the date of arrival, and undergo mandatory quarantine at their own cost for 14 days.

Bermuda
Visitors need to have a negative pre-departure test result to travel to Bermuda, taken no more than seven days before departure. Visitors without a negative pre-departure test result cannot obtain Travel Authorization. This applies to all visitors from the US, UK and Canada. Eligible travellers must fill out a screening form, show proof of health insurance, undergo further COVID-19 testing upon arrival and quarantined until the results are ready.

Cuba
Currently, any asymptomatic travellers do not have to quarantine. Tourists arriving in Cuba will be tested at the airport. After the test is taken, the traveller will quarantine at their hotel for a maximum of 24 hours for test results. If the test is negative, the traveller can enjoy their vacation. The test upon arrival is free for all tourists.

Dominican Republic
All passengers must fill out a completed Traveller’s Health Affidavit. All travellers must provide evidence of a negative PCR test result, taken no more than five days prior to arrival. If you arrive without a negative result, you will undergo a PCR test.

Grenada
Travellers from low-risk countries are permitted to enter the island. All travellers must fill out a health declaration form, register and download the Grenada contact tracing app, and will be given a rapid test on arrival. Travellers from medium and high-risk countries must produce a negative PCR test result seven days before departure.

Haiti
Some international flights have resumed from July 1^st, 2020. Passengers must complete a COVID-19 health questionnaire, and anyone with a temperature above 100.4ºF will not be allowed to board the flight.

St Lucia
Travellers arriving from outside the Caribbean bubble must have a negative COVID-19 PCR result from within seven days. All arrivals will be screened upon entry and are required to fill out a Pre-Arrival registration form.

St Vincent and the Grenadines
All arriving passengers must have a negative result from a PCR test done no more than seven days prior to arrival in Saint Lucia. Passengers must adhere to all protocols relevant to the airport they will be screened at, and all symptomatic passengers will be immediately isolated and tested. If the test result is positive for COVID-19, the passenger will be transferred to the Respiratory Hospital for treatment and care at their cost.

Jamaica
Borders are open to foreign travellers. Prior to check-in for a flight to Jamaica, all passengers require Travel Authorization.

Turks and Caicos
Eligible visitors must complete travel authorization via the TCI Assured portal 72 hours before departure, have proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result from a test taken within five days of travel, proof of health/travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, and must complete a health screening questionnaire.

The information in this article can change due to changing times. To stay up to date, visit the island’s government website.