Commercial flights to Barbados are resuming on July 12, 2020. In light of this, Barbados have released a document to answer frequently asked questions in relation to the island’s re-opening protocols.
Requirements for Entry
Q: How long before my trip must I complete the online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card form?
A: The form will be available for completion at travelform.gov.bb 72 hours prior to travel and should be submitted no less than 24 hours before departure.
Q: What measures should a traveller expect on arrival?
A: All incoming persons must undergo a health assessment which may include a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health personnel. Masks must also be worn at the airport.
Testing
Q: Do I have to enter Barbados with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result?
A: To be considered for process fast-tracking, travellers are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test result 72 hours prior to travel and travel with proof of results. Testing and pretesting requirements are based on the risk category of the country you are travelling from.
Q: What happens if I don’t have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before my trip to Barbados?
A: Travellers from medium and high-risk countries travelling without a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be required to take a test on arrival.
Q: Are COVID-19 home or rapid tests considered valid?
A: Only the COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited or certified facility/laboratory will be accepted. Relevant accrediting bodies and standards include: ISO:15189, CAP, UKAS or equivalent.
Q: Will tests taken more than 72 hours prior to travel be considered valid?
A: You must have your test done no more than 72 hours before you travel to Barbados. Any test performed outside of the 72 hour window will not be valid.
Q: Will persons travelling from the Caribbean be exempted from testing upon entry to Barbados?
A: Persons travelling from low risk Caribbean and CARICOM countries, who have not visited a high-risk country in the past 21 days prior to travel, will be exempt from the testing requirement.
Q: Is there an age restriction for testing?
A: Children 5 years and under are excluded from testing.
Q: What is the cost of a COVID-19 PCR test in Barbados?
A: Tests will be available at the airport free of charge or for a fee of USD $150.00, at designated satellite hotel sites.
Q: What are the benefits of being tested at a satellite hotel instead of at the airport?
A: The testing facility at the satellite hotels offers a fast-tracked process through the airport to the testing hotel. Once there, guests will be tested in a more relaxed environment and easily transitioned to a hotel room to await their results.
Q: Where do I await my test results in Barbados?
A: Persons who are tested at the airport can await their test results at either a government accommodation at no charge, or should they choose, a designated holding hotel at their own expense.
Q: Can I leave my accommodation before receiving my test results?
A: Persons must remain in the designated accommodation until they receive their results. Once test is negative, guests will be free to proceed on holiday.
Q: How long does it take to receive test results?
A: Test results would normally be expected to be available within 24 hours.
Q: Can I await my test results at my private villa or residence?
A: Persons who are tested at the airport can await their test results at either a government accommodation or a designated holding hotel.
Q: What happens if my test result is positive?
A: If your test is positive, you will be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation and treatment, where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or return home.
Q: Who covers the cost of the islolation and treatment period for passengers who test positive?
A: There is no charge to stay in government quarantine and isolation facilities
Q: If a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in Barbados, can they simply return to their country of origin rather than go into isolation in Barbados?
A: No, if you are tested positive, you will be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation and treatment, where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or return home.
Accommodation
Q: What are the designated hotels for awaiting test results?
- Worthing Court
- Sugar Cane
- Mango Bay Hotel (All Inclusive)
- Dover Beach Hotel
- Hilton Barbados
- The Crane Resort
- Meridian Inn
Q: What are the satellite testing hotels?
- Hilton Barbados
- The Crane Resort
In-transit Passengers
Q: What are the protocols in place for in-transit passengers who overnight in Barbados?
A: Except for persons from within the “travel bubble” in transit passengers without evidence of a valid negative test will be tested in Barbados. Should they not have a negative test they will either not be permitted to leave the airport or will be quarantined until departure or receipt of a negative test result.
Q: Country Risk Categorization for COVID-19
- High risk: Countries with > 10,000 new cases in prior 7 days AND Community Transmission. – Many countries are in this high burden group at this time including the USA as well as Brazil, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia and India.
- Medium risk: Countries with 101-10,000 new cases in prior 7 days AND Community Transmission. – Some countries in this grouping currently include the UK, Canada, Argentina, Ecuador, Spain, Portugal, Italy, South Korea. The Dominican Republic is also in this case range with community transmission.
- Low risk: Countries with < 100 new cases in prior 7 days AND not in the Community Transmission Category. These countries include those in CARICOM as well as New Zealand, Australia, China, Norway and Iceland. Each individual traveller has to be assessed for his/ her individual risk of carrying the disease since asymptomatic carriage is possible.
Persons travelling from the Low Risk countries within the “travel bubble”, who have not visited a High Risk Country within 21 day prior to arrival, will be exempted from the testing requirement.
* Please note, The “travel bubble” refers to Low risk CARICOM and Caribbean countries currently including: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Anguilla, Bahamas, Belize Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos.
