If you’re able to travel to Barbados, you might be concerned about the country’s new quarantine rules for tourists. You don’t need to be.
The good news is that, while protocols can change at short notice, it is easy to keep up to date. The latest rules can be found on the Barbados Government Information Service and Barbados Travel Protocols websites. These are regularly updated and contain a wealth of information and advice.
So what are the key aspects of quarantine for Barbados visitors?
Currently, all travellers must complete and submit an online immigration/customs form no later than 24 hours before travel. This is a simple form – and from our experience, it is best viewed and completed on Chrome.
Visitors travelling to Barbados from High and Medium-Risk countries such as the UK must have a negative COVID-19 test result to enter. These tests must be taken at an accredited or certified facility/laboratory within three days before arrival.
Those travelling from Low-Risk countries are strongly advised to take a COVID-19 PCR test before arrival. These guests will be allowed to present results of tests taken up to five days before arrival.
Please note if you are travelling from Canada and cannot receive your test results in time for your trip, you’ll be tested on arrival in Barbados.
Test results must be submitted via travelform.gov.bb, and travellers are required to bring a copy of the results with them. These tests will be checked for validity.
How quarantine in Barbados works
When you arrive in Barbados, you will undergo a health assessment, including a temperature check and a brief interview by Port Health personnel. Masks must also be worn at the airport.
You’ll receive a colour-coded wristband at the airport which matches your country’s risk category, whether high, medium, low or very low. If you’re an in-transit passenger, you’ll receive an extra one plus you’re the colour for your country’s risk category.
You will then be required to quarantine at government-approved facilities. This can be at a designated hotel, apartment, guest house or approved villa at your own expense. You must then undertake a further test four-five days after the first accepted negative test.
We recommend that before you book, check to see if and how your hotel will help you arrange this second test and if your hotel rate includes the cost.
You will need to stay in your hotel room until you receive the results of your second test. This means no access to the pool area or beach. Provisions are made for room service, and you will be monitored daily for the onset of symptoms. If this second test is negative, you will no longer be subject to quarantine.
Each quarantine-approved hotel follows the government’s procedures and covers a wide range of budgets and locations. Guests are expected to adhere to the country’s protocols, including wearing face masks and colour-coded wristbands.
If you choose a villa, it should be self-contained, and villa staff are required to be at reduced levels and required to wear full industry-standard PPE. The villa is for the exclusive use of the party of each reservation, except for the Property Manager.
Villas must be staffed by 24-hour security or security cameras monitored by a local security firm. This is to ensure that travellers’ restrictions are not violated. All villas must be registered with the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) and managed by a villa management company.
What happens after quarantine?
Once you have been advised of negative test results, you are free to leave your quarantine accommodation. Please note that the government strongly encourages the wearing of face coverings in both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Many businesses across the island will only allow you to enter if you are wearing a mask. You may also be subject to a temperature check and hand sanitisation when entering restaurants, popular bars and supermarkets. Masks are available to purchase throughout Barbados in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Protocols are fluid in response to the pandemic’s demands, and as such, we encourage you to revisit barbadostravelprotocols.com for the most current information as you make your travel plans.
You can keep up-to-date with the latest protocols and news during your holiday by following various pages and groups on Facebook. We have found the following particularly helpful:
- Barbados TravelAdvisor – https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelbb/
- Visit Barbados Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/113428692026780/
- Visit Barbados Page – https://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados
- Barbados Tourism Encyclopedia – https://www.facebook.com/Barbados.org
- Barbados Government Information Service – https://www.facebook.com/gisbarbados
If you’d like to find out more about the properties available for sale on the island, then complete our registration form, and a member of our team will be in touch. Alternatively, you can WhatsApp us directly on +1 246 230 4982. We can’t wait to show you more about Barbados.
Information was correct at the time of publication and updated on January 8, 2021
Content Disclaimer
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. Residence Barbados disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.
