The Bahamas updates entry requirements to include mandatory COVID-19 insurance

NASSAU — The Islands of The Bahamas is making it mandatory for all visitors to opt in for COVID-19 health insurance when applying for their Health Travel Visa.

Effective Nov. 14, the insurance will cover travellers for the duration of their stay in The Bahamas and is included with the Bahamas Health Travel Visa, which comes at a cost of US$40 for visitors staying up to four nights/five days, and $60 for those saying more than four nights. The Health Travel Visa is free for children 10 years old and under.

In addition to mandatory insurance, The Bahamas has updated its entry protocols, eliminating its previous ‘Vacation-in-Place’ requirement with the new mandatory health insurance and the following procedures, which came into effect on Nov. 1 and applies to visitors staying longer than five days:

All visitors must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test. Taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival. The name and address of the lab where the test was performed must be clearly displayed on the test result. Children 10 and under, pilots and crew of commercial airlines who remain overnight in The Bahamas are exempt.
Once in possession of a negative test result, all visitors must apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at gov.bs and upload their results and other required documents.
For the duration of the visit, all visitors must complete a daily online health questionnaire for symptom tracking purposes.
Any visitor who exhibits COVID-19 symptoms at any time during their stay will be required to take a Rapid Antigen Test and receive a negative result before being permitted to continue with their vacation. If a person tests positive they will be required to follow up with a COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test.
All visitors must take a COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test on Day five of their visit (unless departing on day five). Test results will be achieved in 60 minutes or less with results being provided electronically via SMS text message and email.
All visitors must always wear a mask and social distance in public places.

Due to the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic, protocols are subject to change.

For more reopening updates from other destinations go to https://www.travelweek.ca/news/destinations-reopening-list-2/.