The Ministry of Tourism has released updated requirements for entry into Barbados which is scheduled to take effect on August 5.
Barbados is monitoring our risk assessment and immigration policies according to the following categories: High Risk, Medium Risk, Low Risk and countries with which we share a reciprocal “Bubble”.
Risk categories of selected countries
Determination of risk is achieved by using World Health Organisation 7-day totals. 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. Additionally, the assessment takes into consideration other factors that may influence the accuracy of the risk classification such as the adequacy of testing in the source country.
High-Risk:
Includes USA, Brazil, India, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines and Russia
Medium-Risk:
Includes Canada, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, Egypt, Ghana, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica
Low-risk:
Includes Uruguay, Cuba, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Guyana and CARICOM States except those indicated in the medium-risk category and countries within the “Bubble”.
Countries within the “Bubble”:
Includes St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Dominica
and St Vincent & The Grenadines
In light of the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, these protocols are likely to change. Travellers are encouraged to check barbadostravelprotocols.com for updates. For review within two weeks.
All travellers to Barbados must complete a pre-arrival Online Immigration/Customs form at least 24 hours before arrival. This online form will include personal health information related to COVID-19.
The Online Immigration/Customs form is available at www.travelform.gov.bb
● To be considered for process fast-tracking upon arrival, persons are advised to take a COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited facility 72 hours prior to travel. Persons from countries within the “Bubble” are not required to take a test prior to, or on arrival in Barbados.
● Be sure to submit your results online at travelform.gov.bb and travel with a copy of your test results.
● Travellers without a negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be required to take a test upon arrival.
● Specific travellers who have non-standard circumstances that need to be addressed, are advised to contact The Ministry of Health and Wellness via cmo@health.gov.bb at least 72 hours prior to travel to Barbados to have their requests investigated and facilitated.
● Remember to wear a mask on your flight.
Upon arrival from High Risk countries
• Before disembarking, have your COVID-19 PCR test result (in English) visible, if applicable. These results will be screened for validity by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.
• Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
• All travellers must undergo a health screen.
• If you haven’t submitted proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or the test is not validated, you will be required to take a test and remain at the airport or a government facility until the results are available.
• Persons from High-Risk countries with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be quarantined 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.
• These persons will be quarantined for a period of 14 days with an option to take a second COVID-19 PCR test between 5-7 days after the last test accepted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Persons will typically be released once the test result is negative.
• If your test is positive, you will be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation, where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or you may return home.
• Those persons who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at approved facilities.
Upon arrival from Medium Risk countries
Before disembarking, have your COVID-19 PCR test result (in English) visible, if applicable. These results will be screened for validity by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.
• Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
• All travellers must undergo a health screen.
• If you haven’t submitted proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or the test is not validated, you will be required to take a test.
• Persons travelling from Medium-Risk countries who arrive with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be permitted to leave the airport after clearance by Immigration, Customs and Port Health Officials.
• Those persons travelling from Medium-Risk countries will be monitored for a period of 14 days. If this traveller takes a second COVID-19 PCR test between 5 to 7 days after arrival in Barbados, and obtains a negative result, that person will not be subject to further monitoring.
• If your test is positive, you will be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation, where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or you may return home.
• Those persons who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at approved facilities.
Upon arrival from Low Risk countries
• Before disembarking, have your COVID-19 PCR test result (in English) visible, if applicable. These results will be screened for validity by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.
• Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
• All travellers must undergo a health screen.
• If you haven’t submitted proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test result or the test is not validated, you will be required to take a test.
• Persons travelling from Low-Risk countries who arrive with a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result will be permitted to leave the airport after clearance by Immigration, Customs and Port Health Officials.
• If your test is positive, you will be transported to an alternative accommodation for isolation, where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or you may return home.
• Those persons who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at approved facilities.
Upon arrival from countries within the “Bubble”
• Persons travelling from countries within the “Bubble”, 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 COVID-19 PCR test prior to or on arrival.
• Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
• All travellers must undergo a health screen.
• Persons travelling from countries within the “Bubble”, may advance to Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs and will be permitted to leave the airport after clearance by Immigration, Customs and Port Health Officials.
• Those persons who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at approved facilities.
In-transit passengers
• Travellers must observe all public health protocols and masks must be worn at all times while at the airport in Barbados
• All in-transit passengers must undergo a health assessment which may include a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health Officials.
• 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.
• In-transit passengers from High, Medium and Low-Risk countries without evidence of a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test may be denied entry into Barbados.
TESTING OPTIONS*
Option 1
You can have your test completed at the airport and await results at a government accommodation (including airport) at no additional cost to you.
Test: No Charge
Accommodation: No Charge
Option 2
You can have your test completed at the airport and await results at a designated holding hotel/villa at your own expense.
Test: No Charge
Accommodation: Fees vary based on selected hotel/villa
Option 3
You can have your test completed at a designated satellite testing hotel and await results at chosen hotel at your own expense.
Test: $150 USD
Accommodation: Fees vary based on selected hotel
DURING YOUR STAY – WEAR MASKS, WASH YOUR HANDS, USE TISSUE
● For your safety and those around you, you must abide by all health protocols established in Barbados related to COVID-19; including physical distancing, hygiene practices, wearing of face masks and all other relevant measures.
● Report any COVID-19 symptoms to public health officials or relevant hotel/accommodation management
Before departure
● All departing persons must wear a mask while at the airport and comply with instructions given by public health officials.
• Persons requiring a COVID-19 PCR test prior to travel from Barbados must submit the request at least 72 hours prior to travel via pcrtest@visitbarbados.org.
Special considerations
● Travellers under 5 years of age will not be required to have a COVID-19 PCR test unless they are symptomatic or any member of the travel party has a positive test result.
• Unaccompanied minors will be required to have a valid negative COIVID-19 test result to enter Barbados.
• Travellers who have non-standard circumstances that need to be addressed, are advised to contact The Ministry of Health and Wellness via cmo@health.gov.bb at least 72 hours prior to travel to Barbados.
• The Chief Medical Officer reserves the right to alter or vary the application of these protocols as circumstances warrant.(BGIS)
