Effective Wednesday, May 25, 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers to Barbados will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test to enter the country. Unvaccinated travellers are permitted to travel to Barbados with a valid negative Rapid Antigen test result OR rapid PCR test within 1 day prior to arrival in Barbados OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result done within 3 days prior to arrival.
Accepted tests include tests which were taken at an accredited or recognised laboratory by a health care provider via nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sample (or both). LAMP tests, self administered tests or home kits and tests using saliva samples will not be accepted
The Ministry of Health & Wellness via its Port Health Division, validates all tests on arrival.
No. Unvaccinated travellers are permitted to travel to Barbados with a valid negative Rapid Antigen test result OR rapid PCR test within 1 day prior to arrival in Barbados OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result done within 3 days prior to arrival. All arriving passengers must be in possession of a valid standard COVID-19 test which was taken at an accredited or recognized laboratory by a healthcare provider. In cases where the COVID-19 test is found to be invalid, the Ministry of Health and Wellness may administer a COVID-19 test on arrival.
No. Self-administered tests, home kits, Rapid Antigen tests or tests using saliva samples (even if done under the guidance of a medical practitioner) will not be accepted.
Here’s a helpful table showing the start and end days for your 3-day testing window:
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| I should take my 1st test: |
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No, these results will not be deemed valid for travel.
Children under 5 years are not required to arrive with a negative PCR test or to be tested on arrival unless a member of the traveling party tests positive.
The option to be tested at your hotel/villa upon arrival, offers passengers a more relaxed environment at the testing hotel. Once there, guests will be tested and easily transitioned to a hotel room to await their results. Testing at a hotel will incur a cost.
A traveller is considered to be fully vaccinated if they have completed a full regimen of vaccination of any of the listed COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Barbados Ministry of Health and Wellness no less than 2 weeks prior to travel. Travellers are required to have proof of vaccination.
Proof may be in the form of immunisation card, which must include, in English, the personal data of the individual vaccinated: the disease against which the individual was immunised, the date in which the vaccine was administered, and the exact name, batch number, the dose administrated, the number of doses that have been administrated to the individual and the name and other data of the person who administered the vaccine.
The current list of approved vaccines are Pfizer-BioNTech (COMIRNATY), Oxford-Astrazeneca (Vaxzevria), Covishield, Moderna Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), Covaxin, Sinovac-CoronaVac, Sinopharm, Cansino (CONVIDECIA), Novavax (Nuvaxovid) and Covovax vaccine. Additional vaccines may be added by the Government of Barbados, as the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MHW) is guided by the World Health Organization’s emergency listing approval.
No, travellers who have only received one dose of a two-dose approved vaccine regimen will be considered an unvaccinated traveller and will be required to follow the entry requirements for unvaccinated travellers.
Effective Wednesday, May 25, 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers to Barbados will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test to enter the country.
Pre-submission for approval of COVID-19 vaccination certificate is preferred. Additionally, proof of vaccination (in English), in the form of a vaccine certificate, is required. Validation of certificates at point of entry will include one of the following: 1. Proof of issuance from a National Public Health Organisation. 2. Proof of documented vaccination issued by a hospital or medical centre. 3. Use of an independent validation system, such as IATA Travel Pass, or The Digital Green Certificate or the BIMSafe app.
- Before departure, download the BIMSafe app from Google Play or the Apple Store. Using the app, complete the online ED form, and complete your health questionnaire.
- Don’t forget to travel with your proof of vaccination! Electronic Health Passports (e.g. IATA Travel Health Passport) will also be accepted.
- On arrival in Barbados, your COVID-19 vaccine certificate will be screened for validity. Once validity has been confirmed, you are free to proceed to Immigration and Customs and depart the airport for your chosen accommodation using the transportation of your choice.
Please note that If your COVID-19 vaccination certificate is rejected on arrival, you will be tested (Rapid COVID-19 Test) on arrival at the airport. After you have received a negative test result, you may depart the airport and enjoy Barbados.
Once you arrive with your proof of being fully vaccinated (vaccination certificate), this will be examined by an official from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Once validated you are free to enjoy our island.
At the airport, this is currently free of cost. If you wish to have your COVID-19 PCR test completed at a hotel there will be a fee.
Yes, you are permitted to collect your rental vehicle at the airport.
No. Once cleared by Ministry of Health and Wellness officials at the airport you are free to go the accommodation of your choice.
No quarantine is required for fully vaccinated travellers arriving with required documentation and a valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate
No, on receipt of a negative result from your on-island rapid PCR test and clearance by Ministry of Health officials, travellers are free to enjoy the island while observing all COVID-19 protocols in place including wearing of masks in indooor spaces, physical distancing and your good hygiene practices.
Vaccinated unaccompanied minors will follow the guidelines for vaccinated travellers.
Where guardians are considering travel for unaccompanied minors they are required to make a submission to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for his consideration via
[email protected] Please note that guardians are required to be present for the test.
Yes, it is mandatory to wear a mask only in indoor spaces. Outdoors, is optional in Barbados.
Travellers must observe all COVID-19 protocols in place including wearing of masks in indoor spaces, physical distancing and good hygiene practices.
A traveller can be considered unvaccinated when they:
- have not been vaccinated at all and therefore have not evidence of such.
- claim to have been vaccinated but has either produced no valid evidence of vaccination or evidence produced cannot be verified.
- have been vaccinated using a vaccine not on the Barbados list of approved vaccinations.
- have only received one dose of a two-dose regimen of a vaccine on the Barbados list of approved vaccines.
Yes, Unvaccinated travellers are permitted to travel to Barbados with a valid negative Rapid Antigen test result OR rapid PCR test within 1 day prior to arrival in Barbados OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result done within 3 days prior to arrival.
- On arrival in Barbados, travellers’ COVID-19 tests will be screened for validity. Once the test result have been validated, unvaccinated travellers are free to exit the airport and enjoy Barbados.
- If the test is found to be not valid travellers will be required to be tested at the airport before they exit the airport.
As of 1st June 2022, there is no quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers.
Yes, no special conditional are applied for unvaccinated travellers
Yes, no special conditional are applied for unvaccinated travellers
All unaccompanied minors under 18 years of age must travel with proof of a negative standard COVID 19 test result from a test taken no more than three days prior to arrival as per the current protocol in place. Unvaccinated unaccompanied minors will follow the protocol of unvaccinated travellers. One parent or guardian will be required to quarantine with the minor.
Yes, it is mandatory to wear a mask in all indoor spaces. Public spaces are optional in Barbados.
Travellers must observe all COVID-19 protocols in place including wearing of masks in all indoor spaces, physical distancing and good hygiene practices.
Children under 18 years, traveling with fully vaccinated guardians, will be allowed to adhere to the same guidelines as their fully vaccinated guardians.
If a fully vaccinated adult traveller is traveling with an unvaccinated adult traveller, 18 years and older, and they choose not to be separated, then they must follow the protocols for unvaccinated travellers.
If a child with the family party should test positive, you may request from the Ministry of Health and Wellness the option to self-isolate with the minor at your own expense at your hotel or villa, or government approved isolation property, only if the the minor is asymptomatic and is not showing signs of illness. This will be determined by a Ministry of Heath and Wellness official.
This can be facilitated under strict stipulations that must be signed off as accepted and proven to be in place. Alternately, the minor will be transported to other accommodation for isolation. Upon recovery they can resume their vacation, or they may return home. A guardian or parent is allowed to accompany the minor at the isolation facility. Further, the other members of the family will need to quarantine until the results of the second test is received and they are cleared by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Barbados, you will first be assessed at a government facility for a minimum of 24 hours. After which, you may request from the Ministry of Health and Wellness the option to self-isolate at your own expense at your hotel or villa, or government approved isolation property. This can be facilitated under strict stipulations that must be signed as accepted and proven to be in place. Alternately, you will be transported to other accommodation for isolation. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation, or you may return home.
Should a person test positive for COVID-19 while staying in Barbados, if they are asymptomatic and deemed well and stable enough by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, they may request to self-isolate at a government-approved isolation hotel or villa at their own expense.
No, if you have tested positive, you will be transported to a government accommodation on island for isolation and treatment where you’ll stay until you’ve recovered. Upon recovery, you can resume your vacation or return home.
Those persons who are deemed to have been in close contact with a positive case will be restricted to approved facilities until retested and cleared by health officials.
Currently, there are no charges to stay in government quarantine and isolation facilities. However, if a traveller is approved for self-isolation, they will be required to cover all associated expenses.
If you have had a positive COVID-19 test in the past 3 months, you should travel with documents of your positive viral test results and a letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that states that you have been cleared for travel. On arrival you may be assessed at a government facility for upto 72 hours.
Persons who opt to be tested at a public facility can do so at Wildey Gymnassium. Depending in the entry requirements of the country you are traveling to, you can get a Rapid Antigen Test or a standard PCR test. It is important to check the entry requirements of the country that you are traveling to prior to receiving the test.
Guests testing for the standard PCR test will generally receive their results back within 1 to 2 days. Rapid tests are generally returned within 2 hours. Travellers are required to wait on the results of the rapid test.
- Both the Rapid test and the Classic PCR test are available at the Gymnasium for US$50 per person and is payable by debit or credit card only.
- The cost of the test will vary for private service providers.payable by debit or credit card only.
- All exit screening done publicly is facilitated at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium COVID-19 Testing Site. (Exit screening is not done at any of the polyclinics).
- The testing site is open 7 days a week.
- No appointments are required to receive a standard PCR or Rapid Antigen Test.
- The facility’s operating hours are 0900hrs to 1200hrs and from 1300hrs to 1600hrs, (lunch is 1200hrs -1300hrs).
- PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests are both BBD100.00/USD50.00
- Results for PCR tests are available in 24 to 48 hours.
- Results for Rapid Antigen Tests are completed in 45 minutes(Guests are advised to plan for additional wait time of up to 2 hours depending on volume of tests being administered)
- All results are published electronically to the client’s email address
No. Effective Wednesday, May 25, 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers to Barbados will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test to enter the country. Once you arrive with your proof of being fully vaccinated (vaccination certificate), this will be examined by an official from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reserves the right to require in-transit passengers to undergo a PCR test prior to departure.
All arriving travellers who are leaving the GAIA airport for any period must have a valid negative Rapid Antigen test result OR rapid PCR test within 1 day prior to arrival in Barbados OR negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result done within 3 days prior to arrival. The Ministry of Health and Wellness reserves the right to require in-transit passengers to undergo a PCR test prior to departure or deny entry.