Government today issued revised COVID-19 Public Health Protocols for Air Travel to Barbados.
Protocols were issued recently ahead of the first scheduled commercial flight to Barbados.
Commercial flights were cancelled globally earlier this year to limit spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Air Canada arrived on July 12 with 132 passengers.
Please see the revised protocols below:
Requirements for Entry into Barbados
1. All travellers to Barbados must complete a Pre-Arrival Online
Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) form. It is urged that this be done at least 24 hours before arrival. This online form will include ED information, such as intended address and health information, and will allow for the uploading of COVID-19 PCR test results.
2. Travellers can go to www.travelform.gov.bb to complete the form.
3. People travelling to Barbados are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR Test from an accredited or certified facility/laboratory. Relevant accrediting bodies and standards include: ISO:15189, CAP, UKAS or equivalent. Test results should be submitted electronically and travellers should also bring a copy of test results with them. Submitted tests must be validated by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados.
Test results will not be validated unless they bear the name of the traveller. Children under five years old will not routinely be required to have a COVID-19 PCR Test unless they are symptomatic or their guardian has a positive test. Unaccompanied minors will be required to have a negative COIVID-19 test to enter Barbados.
4. People without a validated negative COVID-19 PCR test result from an accredited or recognised laboratory will be required to take a test upon arrival.
5. Travellers who are from high-risk countries who do not have a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival in Barbados will be tested at the airport and will stay there until the results are available.
6. People travelling from medium risk countries will be required to have a COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to arrival in Barbados. Travellers from medium risk countries are not required to wait for their results at the airport and can proceed to their intended addresses. They should remain in quarantine until the test results are known (usually 24 hours).
7. People travelling from low risk countries who have not visited a high risk country within 21 days prior to arrival, should present valid results of a test done within one week prior to travel to Barbados.
8. Where people arrive in Barbados from medium or low risk countries without a valid test they can be tested at the airport free of charge or at approved satellite sites for a fee of USD $150.
9. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reserves the right to require the testing of any person regardless of documentation presented.
Procedures at the Airport
10. Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
11. Everyone entering the country must undergo a health assessment which may include a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health personnel.
12. All incoming travellers, who have taken a COVID-19 PCR test prior to arrival, will be required to present the result on arrival for review by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in Barbados. This test must have been conducted within the period specified. Results of tests conducted outside of the time specified shall not be accepted. Any person who fails to satisfy the above requirements must undergo a COVID-19 PCR test in Barbados on arrival.
13. A visitor who does not present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result and who declines testing on arrival, will be denied entry into Barbados.
14. Citizens, permanent residents and people with permanent status who do not present a valid negative test result and who decline testing on arrival will be quarantined in a Government facility.
15. People from high risk countries will be required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test and will be quarantined at an approved facility.
16. People who arrive with a negative COVID-19 PCR test and are from medium or low risk countries may advance to Immigration, Baggage Claim and Customs and will be permitted to leave the airport.
17. People who are tested at the airport and arriving from medium and low risk countries will be allowed to leave the airport to await the test result in a designated hotel at their own expense. People must remain in that accommodation until they receive their results. Test results would normally be expected to be available within 24 hours.
In transit Passengers
18. Masks must be worn while at the airport in Barbados.
19. In transit passengers must undergo a health assessment which may include a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health personnel.
20. In transit passengers must have a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test prior to arrival.
21. In transit passengers without evidence of a valid negative test may be denied entry.
The Government of Barbados reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone who does not have a valid test.
During Stay in Barbados
22. Visitors must abide by all public health and social measures in place in Barbados related to COVID-19 risk reduction; including physical distancing, hygiene practices, wearing of face masks and all other relevant measures.
23. All passengers will be required to report any symptoms to public health officialsor relevant hotel/accommodation management.
24. Travellers from high risk countries will be quarantined and be monitored daily for the onset of symptoms and will be required to have a second COVID-19 PCR test at day seven.
25. Travellers from moderate risk countries will be monitored for seven  days.
26. A person may be requested to undergo an additional test for COVID-19 if circumstances arise during the period of monitoring that require it.
27. People who test positive will be transferred to alternative accommodations for isolation and treatment until they have been cleared, by having two consecutive negative tests.
After clearance, planned activities can be resumed.
28. Those who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be quarantined at facilities approved by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Departure from Barbados
29. All departing passengers must wear a mask while in the airport.
30. All departing passengers must comply with instructions given by public health officials.
Risk Categories of Selected Countries as of July 14, 2020
Determination of risk is achieved by using World Health Organization 7-day totals
High risk: Includes USA, Brazil, India, Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Indonesia, Philippines and Russia.
Moderate risk: Includes Canada, UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, Egypt, Ghana China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
Low Risk: Includes Uruguay, Cuba, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Guyana and CARICOM States. (BGIS)
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