No curfew & lockdown in Bahamas from today onwards

The Bahamas government has announced that there will be no curfew and lockdown from today onwards, under the new COVID guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. The travel protocols have also been amended for international travellers, inter-island travellers and people visiting by cruise ship. 

Following are the new guidelines for international travellers –

Every citizen, legal resident and visitor coming to the Bahamas must be required to show their Travel Health visa. 

         Travel Health visa requirement for fully vaccinated travellers –

1. To present a negative – Rapid antigen test or COVID-19 RT-PCR test, which must not have been taken more than 5 days before their travel.
2. Fully vaccinated proof. 

         Travel Health visa requirement for unvaccinated travellers –

1. A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test must not have been taken more than 5 days before their travel.

For inter-island travellers – 

1. Those who are vaccinated and are from- Acklins, Berry Islands, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Inagua or New Providence would have to present a Rapid negative antigen or RT-PCR test. 
2. They would also have to show proof of vaccination. 
3. While the unvaccinated travellers who are from the above-mentioned islands and wish to visit the Bahamas must have a negative – RT-PCR test – to be taken five days prior to their travel or can show proof of exemption from the requirement to undergo a COVID test.  
4. Note: The passengers travelling from the other islands to the Bahamas would not be required to undergo a COVID test. 

For Cruise ship passengers – Only the travellers who are of 12 years and above and are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus would be permitted to visit the island. 

Following are the new guidelines for Social gatherings – 

1. The individuals can host or attend indoor social gatherings at a private residence with the presence of not more than 20 people or at a facility provided that – all the attendees are fully vaccinated, and the COVID protocols are being followed. 
2. Individuals can also host or attend outdoor social gatherings, but all the attendees must be fully vaccinated or either present a negative COVID-19 test and must ensure that all the COVID protocols are followed. 

Following are the new guidelines for Educational Institutions – 

1. The schools must ensure that everyone entering the premises must stick to the COVID-19 health protocols. 
2. There should be one clearly identified and equipped isolation place. 
3. All the guidelines issued by – the Ministry of Education are being followed. 
4. For homeschooling – the COVID guidelines set by the Education Ministry must be followed. 

• The education institutions must ensure that there’s a social distance of atleast 3 feet among the citizens in the classroom. 

Following are the new guidelines for Restaurants – A restaurant can operate indoor dining but must make sure that : 

1. Every Patron is fully vaccinated or either have a negative rapid antigen test. 
2. Maximum seating capacity remains at 50%, and the seating should be arranged according to the social distancing protocols. 
3. Every staff member and the patrons wear masks. 
4. Tables and chairs must be sanitized after each use. 
5. While, for the outdoor dining – a restaurant must assure that all the COVID-19 health protocols are being followed by the staff members and the patrons, and the tables, chairs and the other instruments are sanitized after each use. 

Following are the new guidelines for Weddings and Funerals – 

1. A wedding can be hosted in a church or in the facility provided. 
2. The attendance is limited to 30%, and all the guidelines issued by the Bahamas Christian Council and the health ministry must be strictly followed by the attendees. 
3. Funerals can be conducted indoors without the presence of the remains in an urn or a casket inside the church or facility provided with 33% attendance; all the guidelines issued by the Bahamas Christian Council and the health ministry must be strictly followed by the attendees. 
4. If a funeral is being conducted at a graveside, then – all the guidelines issued by the Bahamas Christian Council and the health ministry must be strictly followed by the attendees (only applicable to Acklins, Berry Islands, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Inagua, and New providence. 

While for public transportation, taxis, public and private buses can operate with 50% seating capacity.