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The U.S. State Department has dropped its level 4 ‘do not travel' for the Bahamas to a level 3 ‘reconsider travel'.
The level 4 was originally issued for the Bahamas on August 6th but as of November 23, that warning has been dropped and states ‘reconsider travel to The Bahamas due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions'.
Although the U.S. government has dropped the overall risk level, the CDC states that The Bahamas is still at a level 4 stating that COVID-19 levels are ‘very high' and ‘Travelers should avoid all travel to the Bahamas.'
The U.S government is also warning travelers to The Bahamas may ‘experience travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within The Bahamas due to COVID-19.'
This warning comes with good reason as The Bahamas has changed its COVID-19 entry requirements and border measures repeated times forcing travelers to be caught in lockdowns or have to cancel plans after pandemic related restrictions have come without notice.
The U.S. travel advisory also warns to exercise caution in some areas of the Bahamas due to Crime. Although the warning states most of the violent crime occurs outside of tourist zones; burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault can occur.
One of the more unusual warnings listed on the travel advisory for the Bahamas was to exercise caution when renting Jet-skis as the operators have been known to commit sexual assault against tourists. So much so that U.S. government employees are ‘not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.'
Although the U.S. has dropped its advisory from a level 4 to a level 3, The Bahamas has been very unpredictable with its border lockdowns and COVID-18 restrictions.
On November 14th, The Bahamas dropped its 14 day quarantine but replaced it with strict COVID-19 testing that requires travelers to take multiple tests before and after arriving.
All Americans must complete the mandatory entry requirements for the Bahamas before being allowed to enter country.
These include:
- Apply for a Travel Health Visa
- Upload your negative COVID-19 PCR test to your application for your Travel Health Visa within 5 days of arrival in the Bahamas.
- Take a 2nd COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the 5th day of your stay
- Follow all health protocols while in the Bahamas.
Starting on November 14th, travelers will also have to opt in for mandatory health insurance as a part of their application form for entering the Bahamas.
The Travel Health Visa costs $40 for stays under 5 days, and $60 for stay over 5 days. Children under 10 are free.
Coverage includes:
- COVID-19 medical expenses up to $50,000 (USD)
- Trip interruption/delay for necessary quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19, up to $500 (USD) per day/$7,000 (USD) max
- Medical evacuation and/or repatriation of remains due to COVID-19 up to $100,000 (USD)
With the Bahamas dropping its mandatory 14 day quarantine and the U.S. government reducing the travel advisory, its hard to say if travelers will be willing to head back to The Bahamas yet.
With Mexico and the Dominican Republic offering test free entry, they'll most likely be the ones to draw the Christmas vacation crowds.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories