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Dominica Reopens Borders July 15

Roseau, Dominica – (July 17, 2020) Dominica reopened its borders on July 15, 2020 following successful restrictions to curtail the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. The Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Dr. Irving McIntyre, first made the announcement at a press conference on July 1, 2020, and the Prime Minister, Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, confirmed the dates and elaborated further on the intended protocols in subsequent radio and television programs.

The reopening of borders will be done in a phased manner, with nationals and residents allowed to return home beginning July 15, 2020 in phase one. All travelers including non-nationals can travel to The Nature Island beginning August 7, 2020 as part of phase 2 of the reopening of borders.

Health and safety guidelines and protocols have been carefully deliberated and formally announced to minimize the risk of new cases of COVID-19 once the borders are reopened.

These protocols are to be followed:

Protocols for Pre-Arrival
Compulsory requirements for all arriving passengers/travellers
All travellers must:
1. Submit a health questionnaire online at least 24 hours prior to arrival
2. Show notification of clearance to travel.
3. Submit a negative PCR test result recorded within 24-72 hours prior to arrival
General protocols and guidelines upon arrival
Travellers must:
1. Wear face masks at all times during the arrival process up to and including departure from the airport
2. Observe physical distancing guidelines
3. Practice good respiratory and personal sanitization
4. Follow all instructions of health care staff and officials
Disembarkation and Testing:
Travellers must:
1. Sanitize their hands at sanitization stations as directed
2. Undergo a health assessment to include a temperature check
3. Provide confirmation of the health questionnaire and negative PCR test results
4. Undergo rapid test screening and with a negative test result, they will be conveyed to immigration for processing and to customs for screening. Luggage will be sanitized when taken off conveyor belt
Those travellers who report a high temperature, high risk alert from their health questionnaire or Positive Rapid Test will:
1. Proceed to secondary screening area
2. Be given a PCR test
3. Be transported to mandatory quarantine at a government-approved facility or government certified hotel at their expense awaiting results
4. If the PCR test result is positive, the traveller will be admitted to the COVID isolation Unit.

Departure From Dominica
Vehicles will be permitted to enter the air and seaport with only the driver and travellers.
Travellers must:
1. Wear face masks at all times during the departure process until departure from airport.
2. Observe physical distancing.
3. Practice good respiratory and personal sanitization
4. Follow instructions of health care staff and officials

While restrictions to curtail the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted in Dominica, the health and safety protocols for respiratory etiquette, wearing of face masks, proper and frequent hand washing, sanitizing and physical distancing will still apply.

Anguilla – COVID-19 Update 12

Executive Council met on July 12 to consider matters relating to the COVID-19 situation.

Cases/suspected cases – there are no active or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Anguilla, but we must not be complacent. We ask you all to continue to practice social distancing and good basic hygiene to prevent the spread of all infectious diseases.

Border Closure – based on the current situation, the borders will remain closed for passenger movements until at least July 30 except for:

• medical emergencies and evacuations with the approval of the Chief Medical Officer; and
• persons wishing to leave Anguilla on flights/boats to approved destinations.

Repatriation – To date almost 200 persons have been repatriated without incident. However, based on the rapidly evolving situation, particularly the significant increase in cases in the Americas, Executive Council today took the difficult decision to suspend repatriations from countries and territories with active cases of more than 0.2 percent of the population. This figure has been determined, based on the best current technical advice. This suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until July 25 at the earliest. This decision was driven by the need to protect the health of the nation.

Executive Council advises that persons who have registered on the COVID-19 website but not yet approved to travel should shelter in place until further notice. This suspension does not impact persons already approved to be repatriated. It also does not impact repatriation from certain Caribbean and European countries with low percentages of active COVID-19 cases. A list of these countries will be published on the beatcovid19 website.

Protecting Anguilla from illegal entry – we continue to judge that illegal and therefore uncontrolled boat landings remain the greatest threat to our health and security. Coordinated land, sea and air patrols remain in place and anyone attempting or assisting an illegal crossing will be arrested. We thank you all for your vigilance in reporting any boat movements. Should you have any information you wish to share with the authorities you can do so in confidence at – www.gov.ai/911.

Prohibition on boat use – regulations prohibiting the use of any boat in Anguilla’s waters unless specifically exempted remain in force until 30 July.

Playing your part – the steps we have all been taking are helping to keep us safe. No active cases does not mean we should stop hygienic practices or respiratory etiquette. So once again, we urge you all to take the simple steps that save lives:

• wash your hands frequently;
• cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, or in the crook of a flexed elbow;
• frequently clean and disinfect shared spaces and work surfaces; and
• avoid contact with persons suffering from or exhibiting symptoms of acute respiratory infections such as the flu, coughs, and colds.

Let us remind you again of the Ministry of Health hotline on COVID-19. The number is 1-264- 476- 7627 that is 476 SOAP, or 1-264- 584- 4263, that is 584-HAND.

You can also access the most recent guidance and information at www.beatcovid19.ai

The Bahamas – Testing Protocol for Incoming Visitors

Update #88

The Ministry of Health wishes to advise the public that travelers must complete a Bahamas Health Visa application and present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test with a sample taken within ten (10) days of arrival.

Effective immediately, all travelers will be required to complete an electronic Bahamas Health Visa application before departure from the place of embarkation. This can be found at travel.gov.bs. Travelers are required to upload a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test and provide contact information.

The Government of The Bahamas will accept the negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test if the sample was taken within (10) ten days of arrival. Tests over ten (10) days old will not be accepted.

An automated response will be provided once the application is completed. The only persons approved to travel are those who have received a green color-coded response, as proof of approval. This confirmation must be presented upon arrival in The Bahamas. The Health Visa application process will take twenty-four to forty-eight (24-48) hours and should be completed with adequate lead time.

Failure to comply with the stated requirements will result in denied entry. It is recommended that all travelers interested in visiting The Bahamas review requirements applicable to each member of their traveling party at www.bahamas.com/travelupdates before booking a trip.

For more information, or to view the Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan, please visit www.bahamas.com/travelupdates. You may also contact the Ministry of Tourism COVID-19 travel hotline at (242) 502-0829 Monday to Friday, 8 AM – 6 PM, or via email at contactusteam@bahamas.com.