NASSAU — The Bahamas has updated its entry requirements for travellers to include a mandatory Bahamas Health Visa application as well as a negative COVID-19 test result within 10 days of arrival.

Effective immediately, all travellers will be required to complete the electronic application at travel.gov.bs prior to departure from their place of embarkation, and upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test plus provide contact information.

The Government of The Bahamas will accept the negative COVID-19 RT-PRC (swab) test if the same was taken within 10 days of arrival. Tests over 10 days old will not be accepted.

An automated response will be provided once the application is completed. The only people approved to travel are those who have received a green colour-coded responses as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas.

Children under two years old are not required to have the test. Children between 3-10 must take a test unless proof is presented upon arrival that their state/county does not administer tests for children in this age range.

As of now, quarantines are not required for those entering The Bahamas.

The Health Visa application process will take 24-48 hours and should be completed with adequate lead time.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in denied entry.

The Bahamas is the latest Caribbean destination to require a negative COVID-19 test result prior to entry. Saint Lucia and Antigua made similar announcements within the past week.

The Bahamas began its gradual reopening of its tourism sector on July 1 with the resumption of both international and domestic air traffic. For a complete list of health and safety requirements go to www.bahamas.com/travelupdates.

For reopening updates from other destinations go to https://www.travelweek.ca/news/destinations-reopening-list/.