BARBADOS — Canadians will be the first visitors to be welcomed back to Barbados when the island resumes commercial flights on July 12.

Twice-weekly Air Canada service from Toronto Pearson to Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) will resume on July 12, followed by a weekly British Airways flight out of London Gatwick on July 18 and four Jet Blue weekly flights out of JFK on July 25. Intraregional flights on Caribbean Airlines are expected to resume in mid-July.

At the airport, public health protocols are in place including face masks en route to Barbados, physical distancing of three feet as well as temperature checks.

Within 72 hours prior to departure for Barbados, all travellers from high-risk countries are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory (ISO, CAP, UKAS or equivalent). High-risk countries are defined as those with more than 10,000 new cases in the prior seven days and community transmission.

Travellers from low-risk countries will have up to one week prior to departure for Barbados to take their tests. These countries are defined as those with less than 100 new cases in the prior seven days and not in the Community Transmission category.

There will be a new online Embarkation/Disembarkation card (ED card) with personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms, which travellers will be required to complete. Once all required steps are completed and supporting documents uploaded, travellers will receive a bar code via email.

On arrival in Barbados, travellers will be required to present evidence of a negative result of a PCR COVID-19 test and bar code to clear immigration.

Travellers without a documented negative PCR test result from an accredited or recognized laboratory will be required to take a test upon arrival, and will be quarantined at their expense, pending the results. The anticipated wait period for the test results is 48 hours. If travellers fail the test they will be placed in isolation where they will receive care from the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Barbados recently celebrated the milestone of 35 days with no new cases of COVID-19. As such, all curfews will be lifted on July 1. Other relaxed measures include physical distancing of three feet, social events with up to 500 patrons, and sporting events with spectators.

For more information go to https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/covid-19/.

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