Tempted to travel to the Caribbean? Get to know Covid’s rules

But this year, although she booked a private villa that could be canceled at any time, the weeks leading up to the flight were unnerving. St. John – as well as neighbors St. Thomas and St. Croix – require that all arrivals show proof of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours of landing. The couple made appointments at a medical clinic and waited nervously for release. Reports from other islands implementing curfews or, in the case of St. Barts, suddenly banning visitors, caused even more discomfort. “I didn’t stop worrying about the trip until I was on that plane,” said Mrs. Irons. “Anything could have happened.”

For pandemic-beset sun-seekers looking for sand, sea and warmth this spring, the Caribbean may seem like the promised land. And indeed, most Caribbean islands welcome American tourists, but the many entry requirements vary widely and are constantly changing. “Anyone who travels has to realize that this is fluid,” said Michele Rishty, a travel consultant in Bedminster, NJ, who frequently book a Caribbean vacation. “Every day changes.”

Until you change again, here is a snapshot of the obstacles you are likely to face and guidance on which islands are easier – or more challenging – to visit.

There will be tests

In most countries and dependent territories in the region, you will need to provide proof of a recent Covid-19 negative test before you even put your sandal on the track. The length of time for the Covid-19 test before your trip varies by country. If you are going to the United States Virgin Islands, you only need to take that one test. But if you’re going to any other island – outside the United States – you’ll need proof of a negative viral test to get back to the continent. Many of the hotel resorts are beginning to offer on-site testing for this express purpose.

Some destinations, including Anguilla, Bahamas and Jamaica, insist on a second Covid test after arrival. Bermuda is even more demanding: visitors must wear a “traveler bracelet” for the first 14 days of their stay, undergo temperature checks twice a day and undergo additional Covid-19 tests on the fourth, eighth and 14th days of your stay.

In comparison, the Dominican Republic’s testing protocols are much more relaxed. Rather than requiring visitors to show documentation of a negative Covid-19 test before arrival, local authorities administer rapid tests at random for a small percentage – between 3% and 15% – of arriving passengers.

What if you’ve already been fully vaccinated against Covid-19? For now, inoculation will not release you from the test requirements.

A paper trail

Most islands also ask visitors to complete a health questionnaire before or after arrival. And some, like Bermuda and Turks and Caicos, also ask tourists to come with health insurance – or buy there – to cover them if they get sick while on vacation.

Kristi Mackedanz, a travel consultant at KM Travel Designs in St. Petersburg, Florida, advises prospective travelers to check the travel advice sites for insurance requirements and associated costs. From there, she says, review the policies to make sure they cover you if your test is positive and you need to be quarantined on the island for 10 days to two weeks. “Each destination is so different,” she warned.

Track and Shield

Among the islands that impose more stringent travel restrictions, Barbados tops the list, according to Tara McCoy, a travel advisor from Columbia, SC, who spent a few days on the British Commonwealth island in December. After a notable increase in cases just after the Christmas holiday, the local government issued a curfew (lights out at 7 pm) and toughened up other Covid-inspired rules. “One by one, the requirements for traveling there have become stricter,” said McCoy. How strict? The tourism website (visitbarbados.org) specifies the exact type of Covid test required to enter the country. Before the trip, visitors are instructed to download an application to their phones; as soon as they arrive, they receive an electronic bracelet that tracks their movements. The first five days on the island must be spent confining a resort or vacation rental – going too far carries heavy fines. On the fifth day, travelers are retested and only if they receive the green light, they will be free to explore the island. The British Virgin Islands have a similar tracking device system installed, with a mandatory four-day quarantine.

Anguilla’s house rules are equally strict. Visitors must report negative results on a PCR test performed three to five days before arrival and then take a second after arrival. Tourists staying for less than two weeks can only stay in government-approved hotels and villages, as well as go to approved restaurants and specific activities and excursions. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, the honorable parliamentary tourism secretary, describes this tourism bubble as “a group of companies that become certified and undergo training on how to maintain our security protocols”. Ms. Gumbs-Marie also highlighted the requirement to wear a mask for tourists across the island. “If you are anti-mask … it will be very difficult for you in Anguilla. All of our guests must be masked. ”

Saint Kitts and Nevis, Granada, Jamaica and Saint Lucia restrict tourists to certain areas. The latter follows an evening curfew at 19h.

Forbidden fruit

In February, as new variants of the coronavirus were taking hold in Europe, the French government closed its overseas territories – including the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Saint Barthélemy – to all tourists from countries outside the European Union. The US Department of State also issued a level four travel recommendation for all French West Indies, advising Americans to avoid it due to “Covid-related conditions”. Cayman Islands are also banned for tourists, with the exception of homeowners, students, relatives and other specially approved visitors.

After all, is life really a beach?

After overcoming the obstacles, the islands look relatively normal, said Rishty, although with far fewer tourists and half-empty hotels. Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, said the occupancy of the 11 currently open all-inclusive Sandals Resorts fluctuated between 55% and 65% last month, up from 83% in the same period last year.

Ms. McCoy, who spent five days in Jamaica in February, praised the slower pace. “It was easy, comfortable and sunny,” she said, adding that Covid-19’s restrictions were similar to those in the United States. “In fact, it was no different than here in South Carolina. Wearing masks and social detachment. ”

Corrections and amplifications

Sandals Resorts currently has 11 open resorts. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that there were six resorts open. (Corrected on March 11)