Bahamian govt suspends mandatory COVID RT-PCR testing

Mandatory COVID19 RT-PCR testing travel requirement has been suspended by the Bahamian government. The amendment was to be in effect from January 7, 2022, for the fully vaccinated travellers.

So, for now, the immunised and non-vaccinated visitors, including the children of age group 2 to 11 years arriving on the island, will have to present a valid negative RT-PCR or Rapid Antigen Test to the airport health care workers. The test must not be taken more than 72 hours of travel.

Among the acceptable tests include NAAT, PCR, RNA, RT-PCR and TMA. The children below the age group of 2 years are not required to present any test.

Meanwhile, visitors staying in the Bahamas for more than 48 hours will also be needed to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test, even if they are fully vaccinated. The travellers departing on or before 48 hours will not be needed to obtain this test. This test substitutes the existing Day-5 Rapid Antigen Test.

For further updates, travellers can visit -https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates.

COVID19 statistics of the island:

Since the pandemic emerged in the Bahamas, it has recorded more than 26,011 confirmed cases. While in total, 717 individuals have lost their lives to the deadliest COVID19 virus in the Bahamas.

As per the vaccination data, in total, 157,041 individuals have taken their first dose of the COVID19 vaccine, which counts for around 39.9% of the total population.

On the other hand, a total of 147,365 individuals have received their required number of the WHO-approved vaccines, counting for 37.5% of the total population.