Bahamas COVID - 19 Traveling Update and Experience

GOING TO THE BAHAMAS—YES, THEY ARE OPEN AND WELCOME HEALTHY VISITORS!

DON’T FEAR THE PROCESS-JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

Covid. Covid. Covid. Every headline you see, every conversation you have—it is very much a part of what we are ALL going through right now. It has affected the entire planet and changed how most of us go about our day to day.

I am writing this from firsthand experience. I was in the US when the borders closed going back to the Bahamas. After waiting a while and keeping abreast of the headlines, news conferences and constantly changing information, I decided it was finally time to return to the Bahamas.

Although the border opened for private vessels and aircraft on June 15, and there was a small window where commercial flights from the US were allowed. I came during this window. As I write this, on July 23, 2020, the Bahamas is currently allowing commercial flights from many countries, but not commercial flights from the US at this time. This is, like many things revolving around Covid, subject to change and change quickly. 

There are some hiccups with the Bahamas current system, so even coming commercially, I was initially somewhat apprehensive

I hope in sharing my personal experience and what I think will be helpful information, others will have smooth sailing heading over to some very uncrowded beaches and beautiful waters.

My best piece of advice is to first check out the Bahamas Ministry of Health website for the most current and up to date “rules”. The Nassau Yacht Haven also posts the most current information received from the Association of Bahamas Marinas that is working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism, on our website and social media.

Once you have a date in mind to go to the Bahamas, you then work backwards. You must be sure to get a Covid-19 test that is the actual test.  That’s the “fun” one where they stick a long swab up your nose and down your throat. It MUST be done by an accredited lab. The Bahamas Ministry of Health has a list they use of acceptable facilities. If in doubt, CALL THEM. They have been very helpful and accommodating. They are trying to help people come over and enjoy themselves, but also to keep everyone safe. It’s a balancing act. There are glitches. But the phone call is worth it to make sure all goes smoothly.

Ok, so once you locate a facility using an accredited lab to process the results, you make your appointment and ask them how long until you get the results. Be truthful when filling out any questionnaires. The cost of the test about took my breath away, ($195/$149 for 2 or more) but the airline ticket ($62) was very cheap, so I looked at it as a compromise. 

I made my appointment on July 1 and was told it would take 3 to 5 business days to get the result. Taking the holiday weekends into account, I made my flight reservations for July 10. It all worked out fine as I got phoned on the 6th that the results were in, Negative, and I could pick up my results in person the next day, the 7th. 

Once I picked them up, I then went online to fill out the Travel Visa form for the Bahamas. Very straight forward. Have your passport information and test results handy before you start. You will have to put in what type of test (You want the actual Covid test, NOT the anti-body test) and where the test was processed (not the place you went to, but the LAB it was processed at). It tells you on the paper. You submit it and get a response within minutes. If you don’t, call them. As stated before, the Ministry of Health has openly stated they are having glitches—so just call until you get further instructions or the response back with a “low risk” box.

Print out 2 copies on paper of both your test results and your travel visa response and keep it with your passport and reservation. It is quicker, easier and safer than passing your smart phone around to more hands and I had been told by the lady I spoke to at the Bahamas Ministry of Health that they do not have the ability to print them out. Save yourself some grief and just go prepared. 

Once I was to the airport, the process was the same for checking in as always, except in this age of Covid, masks were required in the airport and on the plane. The plane was only about 50% full. The test results were checked at the gate before boarding. Upon arrival in Nassau, masks were still required, then there was a temperature check between deplaning and getting to the Immigration area. Once there, everyone was sent to a queue where one by one, our passports and test results were checked.

From there, I was sent to the Immigration counter and it was pretty much the same routine as it’s always been. Except the terminal was sadly empty. Same in Customs. Agents were friendly and chatty. Business has been slow, and they were clearly happy to have healthy customers arriving.

The process is doable and very straightforward.  Follow the rules and you should have a smooth trip like I did. It’s beautiful here—well worth the extra steps! If you are coming from the US, you will most likely be arriving in more style than I was, as you must travel via private aircraft or private boats for now. For others able to come commercially, you will most likely encounter a scenario like mine. Stay safe and healthy and we hope to see you soon!