COVID Travel Brief – What & Why
The original COVID-19 protocol documents were extensive and organized by 5 categories with 30 item. For a user point of view they were not easy to follow.
This is why we created “COVID Travel Simplified”. It looks at Air Travel Protocols from the point of view of the COVID Traveller.
In “COVID Travel Simplified” we have organized the protocols into just two categories which are simply: 1. Entry; and 2. Airport Protocols for All Travellers.
Now the information you need is all together in just 2 threads!
Warning Protocols Updated Often
Brief | Visitors | Residents | Airport & In-transit | Risk Assessment
1. Entry Requirements
Complete Online Immigration/Customs Form 24 hours before travel at:
travelform.gov.bb.
To be considered for process fast-tracking upon arrival, High-Risk and Medium-Risk Travelers are advised to take a COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited facility 72 hours prior to arrival.
Low-Risk Travelers may take the test 5 days before arrival.
Very-Low-Risk Travelers are not required to take a test.
Be sure to submit your results online at travelform.gov.bb and travel with a copy of your test results.
Mandatory PCR Test for High and Medium Risk Countries
With effect from September 19th it will be mandatory for all persons travelling to Barbados from High, and Medium risk countries to take a COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited or certified facility/ laboratory within 72 hours prior to arrival in order to enter the country.
Persons travelling from Low-Risk countries: In order to expedite processing through the airport are strongly advised to take, and will be allowed to present results of, tests taken up to 5 days prior to arrival. Relevant accrediting bodies and standards include: ISO:15189, CAP, UKAS or the equivalent.
Persons without a negative est will be tested in Barbados
Persons from countries within the Very Low-Risk category are not required to take a test prior to, or on arrival in Barbados: This is so long as they have not traveled to a higher risk country withing 21 days prior to arrival.
1a. Visitors COVID Travel Procedure
High-Risk Travellers with a valid negative test result may stay at an approved quarantine hotel. They will have restricted aceess to hotel facilities. Will not be able to use the beach pool or bars etc. They will have a second test within 4 to 7 days. If the second test is negative they may have access to all hotel facilities and may visit the island. They may leave the hotel and go elsewhere but will need to register and be monitored.
Replaces
will be quarantined for 14 days at a designated holding hotel or approved villa at their own expense, or free of charge at a government facility, and will be monitored daily for the onset of symptoms. In addition to a period of quarantine, travellers from High-Risk countries will be monitored for 7 days after arrival. High-Risk Travellers will take a second test between 4-5 days after the last test accepted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Medium Risk travellers who have not submitted proof of a valid negative test result, may be denied entry to the country. Those who have a valid negative test result may proceed to clear Immigration, and Customs and leave the airport.
Medium-Risk Travellers will be monitored daily for the onset of symptoms for a period of 7 days. Effective September 14th, persons will be required to take a second test. If persons refuse the 2nd test they will be subject to quarantine for 7 days.
Medium-Risk Travellers will take a second test between 4-5 days after the last test accepted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Low Risk travellers with a negative test result and who have not been to a higher risk area within the last 21 days are free to go. Those without a valid test result must be tested at the airport (FREE) or at an approved site ($150).
Low Risk travellers who test positive in Barbados, may request to Self-Isolate at a designated villa or hotel under. Or may be transported to alternative government approved isolationist accommodation until recovered. Upon recovery, travelers mat resume their or you may return home.
Very Low Risk Travellers who have not travelled to or transited through any country designated as High, Medium or Low-Risk within 21 days prior to travel to Barbados, will not be required to take a test prior to or on arrival. These travellers may proceed through the airport.
Any Traveller who test positive while in Barbados, may request to Self-Isolate at a designated isolation villa or isolation hotel. Alternately they may opt to be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation, until they recover. Recovered travelers may resume their vacation or may return home..
Any traveller who have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at approved facilities.
All visitors who refuse a required test will be declined entry.
1b. Residents, Citizens, Permanent Residents and People with Permanent Status
All High-Risk Media and Low Risk Passengers who do not present a valid negative test result and who decline testing on arrival will be quarantined in a government facility. Very Low-Risk Passengers may proceed through the airport,
Brief | Visitors | Residents | Airport & In-transit | Risk Assessment
2. Airport Protocols for All Travellers
All passengers must wear a mask at all times. All may undergo basic health assessment including temperature checks and the answering of health assessment questions.
Additional tests may be required for any person as necessary.
Testing Options
Travelers who are requires to be tested have these options.
In-Transit Travellers
All in-transit passengers from High, Medium and Low-Risk countries must have proof of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result prior to arrival in Barbados. These travelers without evidence of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test may be denied entry into Barbados.
Brief | Visitors | Residents | Airport & In-transit | Risk Assessment
Quarantine Approved Accommodation
https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020#idApprovedHolding
COVID Travel Simplified Risk Assessment
A traveller’s risk category will be determined by the highest risk level associated with any country that they have travelled to or transited through within 21 days prior to travel to Barbados.
High risk: Includes: Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Guyana, Haiti, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, South Africa, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, United States, US Virgin Islands, Venezuela.
Medium risk: Includes Bermuda, Estonia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Martinique, Norway,
Low Risk: Includes Australia, Cuba, Egypt, Sri Lanka
Very Low Risk: Includes Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Cayman Islands, China, Dominica, Finland, Greenland, Grenada, Montserrat, New Zealand, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
These will change if there are spikes in the destination in which case a low risk candidate may move up to Medium of high risk, based on the severity and spread of the virus. All are subject to review and change.
Travellers are encouraged to check barbadostravelprotocols.com for updates
Covid Villa Definition
Visitors Arrive & The Beach is Alive
Covid and Children
Keeping Barbados Safe
Barbados policing is modeled after the British Metropolitan Police system providing community based policing. Within the British system some are designated as community support officer. With this background Barbados police are courteous, approachable and respectful. They will, on occasion, stop to help and enjoy a brief hello along the way. Ultimately they are charged with keeping Barbados safe and maintaining public order.
Barbados has appointed a separate COVID-19 Monitoring Unit to ensure that everyone complies with the protocols aimed at suppressing the transmission of COVID-19 in Barbados. They are assisted by members of the Royal Barbados Police Force.
The island has received international praise for its testing, tracking contacts and containing the virus. Much of this success is the result of prudent and responsible behaviors of the people of the island: Its citizens, residents, industry, public service and visitors.
Please be sure to keep your guard up and continue wearing your mask, washing hands and avoiding unnecessary contact. Covid is not gone, it is still with us and you cannot know when it is near. So please be careful and prudent. Follow the guidelines re social distancing and respect any quarantine or curfew suggestions made by your hotel management.
Stay safe and enjoy Barbados!
Check out the new Barbados Welcome Stamp Visa if you want to stay longer to work remotely. The Welcome stamp is a special year long visa where you can come and go as you please. It lets you work-remotely, chill and play in a special island listed in top countries for managing covid-19 pandemic.
What Happens if Anyone Test Positive
Several passengers elected to get tested on arrival instead of in their country. Just 2 of these airport test were positive and precautionary measure were inactivated immediately to separate these and all nearby passengers.
“Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will be placed in isolation until they have recovered. You may also be required to quarantine at any stage of your stay if the Barbados authorities deem that you have been in close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.” See more on quarantine facilities here >>>
As of July 29, with 7 flight landed, only 3 more passengers have tested positive after continuous monitoring. All cases and suspects are now being quarantined with special care in a Barbados facility. All are receiving excellent care and attention and are expected to recover shortly. Check latest stats at https://barbados.org/blog/?p=5196
Video Essential Facts to Arrive & Stay Safe
Get the Full List of Barbados Air Travel Protocols & Flight Info
See Barbados Goverment Infographics Video of the full list of protocols
Previous blog about air travel flights and protocols
The previous blog list all 30 items in the official protocol version- We have summaried and reclassified these in this blog.
Brief | Visitors | Residents | Airport & In-transit | Risk Assessment
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