Bahamas to Update Entry Requirements
The Bahamas has revised its entry requirements that became effective as of January 7, 2022.
The country authorities decided to not require vaccinated visitors to have an RT-PCR test.
Currently, vaccinated travelers and children aged between 2 and 11 need the negative coronavirus test to enter the Bahamas but it can be a rapid antigen test.
Moreover, from January 4, 2022, all arrivals to the Bahamas who plan to stay on the island more than 48 hours need to perform another rapid antigen COVID-19 test, no matter vaccinated or not.
If the stay in the Bahamas does not exceed these 48 hours, the additional test is not required.
Content:
Testing requirements for entry to the Bahamas
VACCINATED TRAVELERS
According to the new entry rules, all vaccinated visitors aged two and more who enter the Bahamas must:
- provide a negative result of a rapid antigen or PCR coronavirus test (it cannot be taken earlier than 3 days prior to the arrival time)
- take another rapid antigen test if their stay exceeds 48 hours
UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS
The requirements for unvaccinated travelers are as follows:
- provide a negative result of a PCR test taken no earlier than 72 hours before the arrival (applies to all travelers aged 12 and older)
- provide a negative result of a PCR/ raid antigen test taken no earlier than 72 hours before the arrival (applies to all travelers aged between 2 and 11)
- perform a rapid antigen test anytime when the stay exceeds 48 hours
Bahamas Health Visa
All travelers to the Bahamas need to hold the Health Travel Visa the moment they enter the island. Application for the visa must be submitted at least 72 hours (3 business days) prior to the planned trip.
Moreover, every applicant can choose the type of health travel visa depending on the particular travel needs. There are available two types: a visa for a 5-day stay or a visa for a stay exceeding 5 days (maximally 30 days allowed).
Both visas are issued as single-entry permits, which means that can be used only once to enter the Bahamas.
Coronavirus situation in the Bahamas
According to the report of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bahamas has recently observed a higher level of coronavirus cases.
That is why the Bahamian authorities advise foreign visitors to take the full dose of the COVID-19 vaccine before planning to visit the island.
The Bahamas reported about 2,500 new cases last week, which is the highest number of weekly cases to date.
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, the country confirmed nearly 29,000 COVID-19 cases and over 700 coronavirus-related deaths.
