The government of the Bahamas now requires COVID-19 antigen testing for travelers upon arrival in the country beginning Nov. 1, The Tribune reported.
Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar made the announcement on Saturday, Oct. 31, at a Ministry of Tourism press conference conducted via Zoom.
As previously announced, he also said that effective Sunday, Nov. 1, tourists and returning residents/citizens will no longer need to quarantine or “vacation in place” for 14 days upon arrival into The Bahamas.
“Effective tomorrow, Sunday 1 Nov., The Bahamas will be removing the mandatory 14-day quarantine as promised,” D’Aguilar said. “Foreign visitors will be welcomed to our country, to stay at our hotels, to go to our beaches, to enjoy some of our world-famous excursions and activities and, most importantly, to abide by our health and safety protocols. As such, the emergency orders will be revised to reflect that change.”
The minister said when the country closed its borders earlier this year to protect its citizenry from COVID-19, no one imagined the impact of the virus would remain so severe seven months later.
All people entering the country will have to present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result no older than five days and have an approved Bahamas health travel visa to enter the country.
For the duration of the visit, those entering the country must complete a daily online health questionnaire for symptom tracking purposes.
Travelers will also have to take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on day five of the visit (unless departing on day five).
Rules for allowing travelers in the country have shifted continuously throughout the pandemic.