Tempted to travel to the Caribbean? Know the Covid rules

But this year, although he booked a private villa that could be canceled at any time, the weeks leading up to the flight proved unsettling. Sant Joan, as well as the residents of Sant Tomàs and Santa Croix, require that all arrivals demonstrate a negative result from a PCR test performed within 72 hours after landing. The couple sought appointments at a medical clinic and then waited nervously for the whole thing. Reports from other islands implementing curfews or, in the case of St. Barts, who suddenly banned visitors caused even more discomfort. “I didn’t stop worrying about the trip until I was on that plane,” Ms. Irons said. “Anything could have happened.”

For pandemic seekers who want sand, sea and heat this spring, the Caribbean may seem like the promised land. And, in fact, most of the Caribbean islands welcome American tourists, but the many entry requirements vary widely and are constantly changing. “Anyone traveling should realize that this is fluid,” said Michele Rishty, a travel consultant in Bedminster, New Jersey, who frequently books Caribbean vacations. “Every day changes.”

Until you change again, here’s a snapshot of the obstacles you’ll probably face and a guide on which islands are the easiest to visit or the ones that challenge the most.

There will be evidence

In most countries and territories dependent on the region, you will need to demonstrate a recent negative test of the Covid-19 even before setting your sandal foot on the asphalt. How long before your trip you will have to take the Covid-19 test varies by country. If you go to the US Virgin Islands, just do this test. But if you’re heading to any other island – outside the United States – you’ll need evidence of a negative viral test to return to the mainland. Many of the hotel complexes are beginning to offer on-site testing for this express purpose.

Some destinations, including Anguilla, Bahamas and Jamaica, insist on a second Covid test after arrival. Bermuda is even more demanding: visitors must wear a “traveler’s bracelet” for the first 14 days of their stay, undergo temperature checks twice a day, and undergo additional Covid-19 testing on the fourth, eighth and fourteen days of his stay.

In comparison, the testing protocols of the Dominican Republic are much more relaxed. Instead of requiring visitors to show documentation of a negative Covid-19 test prior to arrival, local authorities randomly administer rapid tests to a small percentage (between 3% and 15%) of incoming passengers.

What if you have already been completely vaccinated against Covid-19? For now, inoculation will not get you out of testing requirements.

A trace of paper

Most islands also ask visitors to fill out a health questionnaire before or after arrival. And some, such as Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos Islands, are also asking tourists to come armed with health insurance — or to buy it there — that will cover them if they fall ill while on vacation.

Kristi Mackedanz, a travel consultant at KM Travel Designs in St. Petersburg, Florida, advises potential travelers to check out tourism board websites to find out about insurance requirements and associated costs. From there, he says, analyze the policies to make sure they will cover you if you test positive and need to be quarantined on the island for 10 to two weeks. “Every destination is so different,” he warned.

Track and Shield

Among the islands that apply stricter travel restrictions, Barbados tops the list, according to Tara McCoy, a travel consultant from Columbia, SC, who spent a few days on the island of the British Commonwealth in December. After a noticeable rise in cases just after the Christmas holidays, the local government issued a curfew (the lights went out at 7pm) and tightened other Covid-inspired rules. “One by one, the requirements to travel there were stricter,” Ms. McCoy. How strict? The tourism website (visitbarbados.org) specifies the exact type of Covid test required to enter the country. Before traveling, visitors are instructed to download an app to their phones; as soon as they arrive, they are given an electronic bracelet that tracks their movement. The first five days on the island should be spent on the edge of a resort or vacation rental. On the fifth day, travelers try again and only if they get the green light are they free to explore the island. The British Virgin Islands has a similar monitoring system, with a mandatory four-day quarantine.

The rules of the house of Anguilla are equally strict. Visitors must report negative results from a PCR test performed three to five days before arrival and then take a second one after arrival. Tourists staying less than two weeks can only stay in government-approved hotels and villas, as well as go to authorized restaurants and on specific activities and excursions. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, the honorable parliamentary secretary for tourism, describes this tourist bubble as “a group of companies that are certified and trained on how to maintain our security protocols.” Mrs. Gumbs-Marie also pointed to the island-wide mask warrant for tourists. “If you are anti-mask … in Anguilla it will be very difficult for you. All our guests need to be masked.”

Saint Kitts and Nevis, Granada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia restrict tourists to certain areas. The latter uses a night curfew at 7 p.m.

Forbidden fruit

In February, as new variants of the coronavirus were consolidating in Europe, the French government closed its overseas territories – including the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Barthélemy – to all tourists from countries that they do not belong to the European Union. The U.S. State Department also issued level four travel advice throughout the French West Indies, advising Americans to stay clear because of the “Covid-related conditions.” Currently, the Cayman Islands are also intended for tourists, with the exception of owners, students, relatives and other specially approved visitors.

After all, is life really a beach?

Once the obstacles are overcome, the islands feel relatively normal, Ms Rishty said, albeit with far fewer tourists and half-empty hotels. Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals Resorts International, said occupancy of the 11 all-inclusive Sandals Resorts currently open ranged from 55% to 65% last month, down from 83% last year. at the same time.

McCoy, who spent five days in Jamaica in February, welcomed the slower pace. “It was easy, comfortable and sunny,” he said, adding that the restrictions on the Covid-19 were similar to those in the United States. “It really wasn’t any different than here in South Carolina. Dressing in masks and social distancing.”

Corrections and amplifications

Sandals Resorts currently has 11 open stations. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that it had six stations open. (Corrected March 11)