The Bahamas Adjusts Ban Against American Travelers, Adds New Restrictions

It seems The Bahamas has had a change of heart regarding last week’s ban against American travelers. On July 24, just two days after the changes had gone into effect, Attorney General Carl Bethel shared a statement on Facebook about how the country would be moving toward a more consistent approach to keeping its residents safe from the Covid-19 pandemic instead of having tourism rules in place for certain countries and not others.

“The creation of a uniform framework means there is no longer any need to create any list of countries from which The Bahamas would accept commercial flights; which list thereby excluded other countries,” Bethel’s statement said. “Further, it eliminates the need to continuously add or delete countries, as their circumstances might change.”

While U.S. travelers may have been given a momentary reprieve, it does not come without restrictions. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect.

Covid-19 Tests And Mandatory Quarantine For All

According to a recent update on The Bahamas tourism board website, all travelers—including those from the U.S.—must apply online for a Bahamas Health Visa and upload their negative test results from a Covid-19 RT PCR test taken within the last 10 days, as well as the name and address of the accredited lab it was completed in. Antigen and antibody tests or results from a non accredited lab will not be accepted.

Additionally, all visitors will be required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival at either a private residence—like an Airbnb or other vacation rental—a hotel, private club or a private boat, provided they have access to a private bedroom and bathroom. If for some reason visitors are not able to quarantine in one of those places, they’ll be sent to a government mandated facility and be expected to cover all associated costs.

You’ll have to officially declare your quarantine location to Ministry of Health officials at the airport, install the HubbCat App to help with contract tracing and stick with your group for the entire 14-day period. Since all hotels are now going to be places of quarantine, you’ll be allowed to use its facilities, though casinos and nightclubs will continue to be closed. At the end of the 14-days, you’ll be required to get another Covid-19 test at your own expense if you’re planning on staying longer in The Bahamas, however you are free to leave the country anytime during the 14-day quarantine period without re-testing.

Follow The Rules Or Face Fines and Deportation

The Bahamas is taking the health and safety of its residents very seriously and you should, too. Remember to wear a mask over your nose and mouth whenever you’re in a public place—you’ll risk a $200 fine, one month of jail time or both if you don’t—and maintain social distancing so you and your group are at least six feet away from others at all times. Also note that anyone unwilling to install the HubbCat contact tracing app will be held in a government facility until they can be deported.

Other Things To Be Aware Of

All beaches in Nassau and Grand Bahama are closed until further notice and as of July 25, there’s a daily countrywide curfew between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. as well as new lockdown rules on weekends, when only essential workers are allowed to be out and about. It’s an ongoing situation so check The Bahamas tourism board website for more updates.