Bahamas to Drop Quarantine Requirement in Favor of Covid-19 Tests

Beginning Nov. 1, the Bahamas will drop its mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement for visitors, returning citizens and residents.

At the same time, new protocols will require that visitors obtain a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR (rapid test) result no more than seven days prior to their travel to the country. Once they receive a negative result, travelers must apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs. The cost of the visa will depend on the length of stay.

Additionally, arriving passengers will receive a rapid antigen test at the airport. Visitors staying longer than four nights and five days will be required to take a second rapid Covid-19 test.

Travelers who receive a rapid test immediately before departure will not be tested again when entering the country. "American Airlines has indicated that they wish to provide each passenger traveling to The Bahamas from Miami with a rapid Covid-19 antigen test before boarding the plane," according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation.  "These passengers, along with the passengers of any other airlines wishing to provide a similar service, will not be required to complete the rapid test upon arrival in The Bahamas."

Until Oct. 31, all incoming visitors must follow the current protocol, which requires a quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter.