- Curfew In Effect
Monday to Friday: 8pm to 5am curfew will take effect on Friday 30 October for the islands of New Providence and Paradise Island (including Rose Island) and Abaco (excluding Green Turtle Cay, Grand Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay).
WEEKEND: FRIDAY 8PM – MONDAY 5AM: A 24-hour curfew in effect on New Providence and Paradise Island (including Rose Island) and Abaco (excluding Green Turtle Cay, Grand Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay).
GRAND BAHAMA: DAILY 8PM to 5AM
The public is reminded to practice the following COVID-19 prevention guidelines:
- Wear a face mask when you leave your home.
- Practice social distancing, at least 6ft from others.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
- Cover your cough or sneeze in your inner elbow or with a tissue.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as phones, remote controls, counters, doorknobs, and keyboards.
Emergency Powers:
- For complete COVID order refer to: Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020
- COVID-19 Bahamas
Click on the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Report for daily updates on the number of new cases, testing stats, hospitalizations and recoveries:
Download Report #213
- Travel Guidelines
Travel Health Visa
A travel health visa is required for every person traveling into and within The Bahamas. To apply visit www.travel.gov.bs
Applicants are required to, prior to arrival in The Bahamas or embarking on inter-island travel:
- Undergo a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnosLc test administered by an accredited lab; and
- If the result is negative, submit the results of the test and contact information to the Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health.
A person 10 years old or younger is not required to undergo a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test in order to obtain a travel health visa.
The results of a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test is valid for a period of five days from the date on which the test was taken, and results are only valid for that time.
Read Full Travel Guidelines- Wear A Mask
Requirement to Wear A Face Mask
Every person who leaves his residence shall, while away from their residence, wear a face mask which fits securely to their face, covering their nose and mouth.
Any person not wearing a face mask in accordance with the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020 is liable to a fine of $250 or one month imprisonment or both.
To access full Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020:
Read Full Emergency Powers- Worship Services
- Weddings & Funerals
- Exercise
Exercise
Permitted MONDAY to FRIDAY within immediate neighbourhood between 5am and 7pm.
SATURDAY and SUNDAY at any time in one’s yard.
- Stay At Home
- Guidelines & Business Operations
MONDAY to FRIDAY on New Providence and Abaco businesses may operate between 6AM to 6PM in accordance with provisions and guidelines outlined in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020.
Business and social activities remain unchanged on Acklins, Andros, Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Chub Cay, Crooked Island, Elbow Cay, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua, Mayaguana, Grand Bahama, Grand Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Harbour Island, Long Cay, Long Island, Man-O-War Cay, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Spanish Wells with physical distancing and mask wearing protocols.
Delivery and Curbside Criteria and Protocols
For delivery and curbside protocols see the Third Schedule of Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020.
Public and Private Transport
Taxis, private and public bus services may operate at 50% occupancy, subject to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Tourism and approved by the Ministry of Health.
Beauty Salons and Barbershops
Permitted to operated MONDAY to FRIDAY 6AM – 6PM
Subject to certification by the Ministry of Health and strict adherence to mask wearing, physical distancing and sanitization protocols. Occupancy limited to one patron per service provider.
Work Remotely From Home
All businesses and offices may continue their business operations by allowing their employees to work remotely from home, unless identified as an essential worker in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020.
Applicable to New Providence (including Rose Island) and Paradise Island and Abaco (excluding Green Turtle Cay, Grand Cay, Man-O-War Cay and Elbow Cay)- Stay Safe Bahamas
- Prohibited Businesses and Activites
The following businesses and activities are prohibited to operate or be held:
- A casino, bar, discotheque, cinema, museum, historical society and other cultural or entertainment facility.
- A regatta, festival, fair, play, performance art and other cultural or entertainment event. A Cook-out, steak-out or souse-out.
- A spa or gym.
- A craft or straw market vendor and a jet-ski operator.
- Social gatherings of any size are prohibited in a private residence or facility except for weddings and funerals as permitted in the Emergency Powers (COVID-19 Pandemic) (No. 8) Order, 2020.
Beaches and Parks
- Education
Schools permitted to operate virtually on New Providence and Abaco. Teachers permitted to attend premises to conduct virtual learning. Schools or preschools permitted to operate in accordance with the Emergency Order subject to physical distancing, mask wearing and sanitisation protocols.
- In Case You Missed It
- Weekday curfew (Mon-Fri.) 8pm to 5am now applies to New Providence, Abaco and Grand Bahama, effective Friday 30 October.
- Weddings limited to 10 people, not including officiant, on Grand Bahama.
- Funerals limited to 10, not including officiant and mortuary workers and may only take place at the graveside on Grand Bahama.
- On Abaco, food stores may open on Saturday from 6am to 7pm, during the 24-hour-curfew period.
- Beaches and parks open Mon. – Fri. on New Providence and Abaco between 5am and 8pm, effective Monday 2 November. Groups limited to 5 individuals. COVID-19 Enforcement Unit to heavily monitor beaches and parks.
- Exercise permitted in one’s neighbourhood on Saturdays and Sundays from 5am to 9am, on Abaco and New Providence.
- On islands still under 24-hour weekend curfew, construction companies may apply to the Competent Authority for permission to operate over the weekend.
- Ministry of Health to dispatch an emergency team to assess COVID-19 situation on mainland Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells, due to the increase in COVID-19 related activity.
- Tourism officials will provide further updates before the 1 November reopening of the tourism industry, including restaurant operations and tourist-related activity.
- Health officials will evaluate the rate of COVID-19 transmission two weeks following the re-opening on 1 November to further guide the response.
- Negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 still required for all Bahamians, legal residents and visitors to The Bahamas, regardless of the amount of time spent abroad.
- 24-hour weekend curfew remains in place for New Providence and Abaco. Other measures outlined in the No. 8 Emergency Orders for New Providence and Abaco also remain in place, except for re-opening of beaches on those islands and the operation of food stores on Saturday on Abaco.