New travel requirements for returning Bahamians and residents traveling abroad for short periods

Bahamians and residents traveling outside The Bahamas for a period of 72 hours or less will be exempted from the negative PCR COVID-19 test required to enter the country, Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis announced on Monday.

However, those Bahamians and residents returning from short travel periods may be required to quarantine for 14 days upon their return, based on determination by the Ministry of Health.

As a general rule, a negative PCR COVID-19 tests and completed health forms is required of all visitors, Bahamians and residents entering or returning to The Bahamas. Tests must be taken within a 10-day window before travel to The Bahamas.

The country reopens its borders to commercial international travel on Wednesday 1 July. On June 15, it opened its international borders to private aviation, yachts and pleasure craft.

The travel requirement was one of several announcements made by Prime Minister Minnis during his contribution to the 2020/21 Budget Debate in the House of Assembly on Monday 22 June.

The Prime Minister also announced the re-opening of public parks and beaches, gyms and spas, indoor dining (30 sq ft per person) at most restaurants and the resumption of public transportation, at 50 percent capacity.

Prime Minister Minnis urged the public to continue taking the necessary physical distancing and sanitization precautions, including regular handwashing and mask wearing while in public, to help contain the spread of COVID-19.

“We cannot squander the results of the hard work that we undertook as a community. We have seen what we can accomplish when we work together,” said Prime Minister Minnis.

As of Monday 22 June, The Bahamas had recorded a total 104 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

There has not been a confirmed case reported since 14 June. Of the 104 cases, 82 originated from New Providence, eight from Grand Bahama, 13 from Bimini and one from Cat Cay.