The Bahamian government recently announced new changes for travelers. You’ll no longer have to apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa to enter the country. This requirement has been in effect since last year as part of the country’s re-opening efforts.
Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments, and aviation for The Bahamas Honourable I. says the change is to let international travelers know that the island is open.
Cooper says, “Throughout the pandemic, we have remained committed to evaluating protocols and adjusting requirements to reflect the current environment. We acknowledge that the Travel Health Visa was a burden for travelers, and we are pleased to be able to eliminate it.”
The Bahamas wants travelers to know that they should still wear masks and social distance while in the country.
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What the change means
Although travelers will no longer have to apply for a health visa, there are still rules to abide by. To enter the Bahamas, travelers must show a COVID-19 negative test result regardless of vaccination status.
Vaccinated travelers
Those who are vaccinated and children ages 2 to 11 will have to show a negative PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test taken three days before traveling or less.
Unvaccinated travelers
Travelers who are unvaccinated only have the option of showing a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken three days before traveling or less.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory, “Make sure you are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before traveling to the Bahamas. If you are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines, avoid travel to the Bahamas.”
Currently, the Bahamas is on the CDC’s COVID-19 high-risk list. Other countries categorized as being a high risk are Australia, Canada, France, Greece, Germany, Ireland, Israel, and the United Kingdom to name a few.
To read all of the Bahamas’ updates, click here.
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