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Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions in Barbados – updated 22 September 2021
New protocols have been announced, effective 11 September 2021. All travelers to Barbados are required to:
- Present on arrival proof of a standard COVID-19 PCR negative test result taken no more than 3 days prior to arrival. The test must be taken at an accredited or recoginzed lab by a health care provider. Self-administered tests, home kits, rapid tests, or tests using saliva samples will not be accepted.
- Submit an Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) card 24 hours prior to travel, to which you should upload your negative test result via Travel Form. The BIMSafe app can also be used.
Fully vaccinated visitors must take a second, rapid COVID-19 test on arrival at the airport. You will need to remain on the premises of your accommodation and follow the quarantine rules until you receive the results of your second test. The government aims to return results within 24 hours but it is recommended that you book two nights’ accommodation. If the result of that second test is negative, you will not be subject to further quarantine.
There are specific protocols for fully vaccinated cruise passengers - visit this page, scroll down to New COVID-19 Health Protocols, and click on "Traveling by Sea" to view them.
If you are unvaccinated: On arrival, you will be quarantined at approved facilities (a designated holding hotel, approved villa or a government facility at your own expense). You will be required to undergo a second PCR test 5 days after arrival.
You will need to remain in your hotel room and may be required to wear an electronic tracking bracelet until you receive the results of your second test. If the result of that second test is negative, you will not be subject to further quarantine. The government aims to return results within 48 hours. Return times can sometimes be longer than this.
If you test positive for COVID-19 at any point during your stay in Barbados, you will be required to self-isolate (see Testing Postive for COVID-19 section of the Protocols). You will first be transferred to the government isolation facility for at least 24 hours. Conditions at the government quarantine facilities are generally basic and not necessarily equivalent to a tourist hotel with the associated services. Alternatively, you can request to self-isolate at your hotel, apartment or villa, or government approved isolation property under strict stipulations that must be signed and adhered to. This will be at your own expense for non-nationals and non-residents. You will need to remain at your designated accommodation until the Barbadian authorities are satisfied that you have recovered. This may mean a mandatory stay of several weeks in Barbados. Upon recovery, tourists can continue their holiday or return home.
Stricter protocols are in place for arrivals from high risk countries (India, South Africa, Brazil plus others). See the Special Considerations section of the Protocols.
Requirements may change at short notice. For the latest information check the Official Barbados Tourism website.
Social distancing guidelines and mandatory mask requirements remain in effect. Until 25 September, a curfew is in place from 9pm to 5am Mon-Sat and 6pm-5am on Sundays.
Barbados is enticing remote workers with a new 12-month Welcome Stamp Visa
Barbados has launched applications for a new 12-month visa to give remote workers the opportunity to live and work remotely for up to one year in Barbados.
Anyone over the age of 18 who can confirm they will earn more than US $50,000 over the next 12 months and/or have the means to support themselves and their dependants can apply at Barbados Welcome Stamp. On the website you will find information on fees and all the supporting documents required for a successful application.
Tourism makes up 40% of Barbados' economy. When short-term travel came to a halt in March 2020, the scheme was created to provide a boost to the island’s tourist-dependent economy, focusing on travel opportunities for people who want to stay longer.
Previous travel alerts for Barbados
Hurricane Isaac - September 2018
Hurricane Isaac is currently tracking westwards towards the Caribbean heading for the Lesser Antilles archipelago (which includes Barbados). Reports indicate that the hurricane is maintaining strength which may increase as it moves closer to the islands, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds. The National Hurricane Center indicates that Hurricane Isaac will cross the islands Wednesday night - Thursday and then enter the East Caribbean Sea.
Please check with authorities, follow any official warnings and listen to local news reports to monitor the situation. Failure to comply with directives from government authorities means you won't be covered by travel insurance.
Before you buy a travel insurance policy, check your government travel warnings and health advice – there may be no travel insurance cover for locations with a government travel ban or health advice against travel.
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39 Comments
You have to present a test for Covid done within the previous 72 hours on arrival in Barbados. I have found this almost impossible to plan for. Firstly, you cannot just get a test done on the NHS you have to pay about 150 to 200 pounds or more for one at a private clinic but these are difficult to find. And they tell you the results will be with you in 24-48 hours. But this excludes weekends. And all the Virgin flights scheduled are for weekends (they have cut down to one a week). So that means you will probably not get your test result in time!
So you end up adding 200 pounds to your 500 flight...and still probably do not get your test result. Also, you can have the test in Barbados but it is bureaucratic and time consuming...and what if you test positive - bang, you have just infected the whole place and presumably invalidated all those Covid-negative certificates of others: just because you had a negative test on Wednesday, doesn't mean that you can't get it if you are sat next to someone who has it on Friday!
Hi Joe,
You raise some really valid points here. I think it's important that in this current period of uncertainty, anyone that does plan to get a PCR test done prior to their flight, is aware that their flight may be delayed or cancelled.
Around the world, new rules and restrictions have been introduced at very short notice too, so people need to be more flexible and ready for change than ever before.
If you do choose to travel, stay safe!
All the best,
Amelia, World Nomads
What if I'm just waiting for my connecting flight with another airline to go back to my country,Do I still need to babe a covid test done on arrival?Because I'm having the covid test done when i get to my country because I have no money to pay for test.
I am due to travel to Barbados on a Tuesday in October so therefore i would need to have my test done on the saturday. If the test result doesnt come back in time whats the procedure?
Hi Kevin,
To answer your question, I have taken the FAQ answers from the Barbados official website (https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020) to answer this FAQ "What happens if I don’t have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before my trip to Barbados?"
HIGH-RISK COUNTRIES
Persons travelling from High-Risk countries or who have visited or transited through a High-Risk country in the past 21 days will be tested at the airport free of charge. These travellers will be required to remain at the airport until the results are available.
MODERATE-RISK COUNTRIES
Persons travelling from Medium-Risk countries can be tested at the airport free of charge or at approved satellite sites/hotels for a fee of USD $150 plus the cost of the hotel stay. Persons tested at the airport can either await their results at the airport or at a designated holding hotel or approved villa at their own expense. All persons must remain in their approved chosen accommodation until they receive their results. Test results would generally be available within 24 hours.
LOW-RISK COUNTRIES
Persons travelling from Low-Risk countries will be tested at the airport free of charge or at approved satellite sites/hotels for a fee of USD $150 plus the cost of the hotel stay. Persons tested at the airport can either await their results at the airport or a designated holding hotel or approved villa at their own expense. All persons must remain in their chosen accommodation until they receive their results. Test results would generally be available within 24 hours.
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Amelia, World Nomads
Does anyone know the assigned hotels by government visitors are allowed to stay at while quarantine in Barbados
Hi, we want to come to Barbados SAS our parents are very ill and need care. Upon arrival if we are tested as negative (or bring a negative certificate with us) how long are we required to then quarantine for?
If I quarantine in BGI Barbados can I then enter the USA as a UK passport holder.
Thanks
Jenny
My husband and I plan to travel to Barbados from the US (Maryland) in November for 5 days. We plan to test prior to travel. It is my understanding we will need to test at the airport once we arrive in Barbados. Once tested at the Barbados airport, how long will it take to get our results?
Thank you for your help with question.
I’m Malaysian and planning to travel to Barbados for 3 months with my friend from UK. I will come with him from UK to Barbados. What is the travel requirement and do i need to be quarantine at the govt centre went I arrive Barbados? Hope to hear from you soon!
Since the Sept 17th update for US residents (Barbados considers High Risk), although they have the NEW conditions of a negative Covid Test within 72 hours, there are still places on the official website, that say 14 day quarantine even WITH the Covid test. How can we be sure this is outdated information if it is still listed when you click on the words High Risk? Even the US Embassy in Barbados has the 14 day quarantine info still showing in addition to the 72 hour negative test. I'm planning to go to Barbados for 5 days 4 nights next month, but don't want to book until I find clarification somewhere.
Hi Diane,
This Protocols document from the Barbados website is very detailed: https://issuu.com/visitbarbados/docs/btmi_travel_protocols_1b?fr=sZjAzNDEyMDU0OA
Pages 4 to 5 clearly state that arrivals from High Risk countries will be quarantined for 14 days, with the option to take a second COVID-19 test between days 5-7. People will *typically* be released after the second negative result is returned.
I'll update the information now - I hope this helps clarify!
Please do check with your airline to be sure.
Cheers,
Amelia, World Nomads
Anybody have an answer to Debbi’s question? How long after initial test at airport will results be available? If more than 24 hours, then it’s not worth the time and expense to make this trip.
I am coming from a high risk country. I’m not staying in Barbados just having a connecting flight
Do I still have to be quarantined at Barbados for the 14 days?
I’m travelling to st Vincent’s and require a negative test before entry.
Please help want to leave next week Thursday
I am travelling to St Vincent on Dec 14 2020 coming from Canada having a nagative test i am going to be in transit for couple of hours.Can you please advice .Do having to be quarantined in Barbados and for how long
Hi,
We are flying to Barbados on Sunday 8th November so have booked a PCR test for Thursday 5th November, my understanding is this is correct but please can anybody confirm this?
Thanks,
Dan.
Hi Dan,
If you are flying from a high or medium risk country, yes. Taking a test within three days of arrival is the right way to go about this.
Contact your airline to be sure, as these protocols on the Barbados website may change before your flight.
Cheers,
Amelia, World Nomads
Hi! I am traveling to Barbados November 5-9. I plan to get my Expedited PCR test on Monday November 2 to make sure I have results for my 72 hour window. Does this test have to be Nasopharyngeal or can it be Mid-Turbinate? Does it matter? Thanks!!
What is the hotel /accommodation you have to stay at if I have to after arriving from USA. What is the average cost of this hotel. I want to visit my grandma but don’t want to spend my whole trip in hotel before my trip is over. I need to be able afford those accommodations
I have seen "3 days" AND 72 hours. Do you know which is more accurate? I land in Barbados 1530 09 DEC 2020 and plan to test on 06 DEC 2020, but do I need to make sure it is after 1530? Or is anytime SUN 06 DEC 2020 ok? TIA
Hi Wendy,
The number of hours in 3 days is 72, so the two mean the same thing.
Get your COVID-19 test within 72 hours of arriving. Find out from your airline about the estimated time of arrival in Barbados so that you can calculate this properly.
All the best,
Amelia, World Nomads
Are you sure that’s true? Flights from the UK land at night, meaning that it is not possible to get tested during the day 3 days before arrival. The Barbados travel information specifically says ‘3 days’ not 72 hours and the examples they give only state the day, not the time, so I have taken this to mean that any time on the day that falls 3 days before travel is fine.
To be clear, from the UK government website:
'Please note that the test can be taken at any time during the day 3 days prior to the date of your arrival in Barbados. (For example, if your flight arrives at 10pm on Saturday, you can take a test at any time on the Wednesday prior to this.)'
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/entry-requirements
Hi would like to know if I'll have to take a covid test after taking one and the result is negative before leaving the UK? I'm only in transit to another country for 17 hours do I have to pay for being in transit?
December 21st 2020.
EXTREMELY long wait to get results from second covid test in Barbados.
I think everybody considering travelling to Barbados should know this: I am in quarantine right now at a hotel and can’t go to my house until I g et the results of my second test ( the first one was done in Canada and has been negative). It has been 6 days since my re-test and I have heard absolutely nothing. I still have to pay for the hotel and everyday I spend here just adds onto the bill.
I am unable to reach anyone at the national monitoring center, nor at the clinic where I got tested, not even at the emergency number you are supposed to call if you develop symptoms while in quarantine.
This whole thing seems like a sham and a money grab and I am very disappointed to see how amateurish this whole operation is,
Just know this if you are considering travelling to Barbados.
Good luck to you.
Everything you see on these sites are not what it's like I'm Barbados..this is a big fat lie.. when you g t to barbados with a negative test.. you have to wait 5 days before you get the next tests..the next test is not garanteed on the 5 day..so you may get a test on 6th or 7th day..if you doa test on the airport you will not get the results the same day that's another lie..the girls at the airport have links outside as to the hotels because they are getting a cut ..the government website say you can quarantine at a government facility..that's a lie too.. when you get to the airport..they say it's barbadians only...Its sad the government of these countries are taking advantage of people..who are just trying to conduct few days business or trips to the island.. everything is expensive...food proce is at its highest..so if you can't plan to spend extra money don't book.. quarantine is a mental killer..and you are putting your job at risk because you will not get back in time..the hotline number never works..no one checks up on you so you are left on a limbo as to what to do next.. it's a nightmare here.. I would advise that you stay in your country and vacate ..it doesn't worth it at all..
In response to Catherine and anyone reading her message. There has been an outbreak of Covid on the Island - around 500 cases since just before Christmas, no doubt because some travellers (whether tourists or returnees) failed to comply with the quarantine requirements. This has led to a need to embark on significant mass testing in order to stem the outbreak. That operation seems to be working with the incidence of positive tests reducing over time. It is the unprecedented number of required tests that has caused the delay. I appreciate this is distressing and inconvenient for anyone affected but in a global pandemic nothing is guaranteed. Also, who on earth plans a trip for ‘a few days’ when it is very clear that even best case scenario you will be in quarantine for 4 days?! My own experience was that I stayed in an official quarantine hotel, arrived on a Friday afternoon and was out of quarantine by Monday evening.
I am traveling from Anguilla to Barbados that is very low risk but I have to intransit in Trinidad for about an hour. Do I have to quarantine when I get to Barbados?
Can anyone tell me how much it costs to stay in quarantine hotels Thankyou
Hello,
I traveled to Barbados on April 6th 2021, worst experience from the government officials at the airport, I had already book my hotel accommodations and the government officials told me I can’t stay at the hotel I booked 🤦🏽♂️, I then had to book a government hotel and pay double the cost I paid at my original accommodations, this system in Barbados is setup to make the hotels rich, also I took the PCR test 72 hours prior to entering Barbados and I was told I have to quarantine for 5 before retesting and the wait 24-48 again for results, I don’t recommend traveling to this Island.
We had a holiday booked to Barbados from the 24th May for 2 weeks from the UK, we spoke with the hotel and they advised we could end up stuck in our room for 8 days, due to the new quarantine protocols, so we will be cancelling, further more we worked out that each passenger would need 5 Paid for PCR tests, which would cost around £700, which is total madness, seems travelling to Barbados for the next few years will be financially impossible
I’m sorry to be unsympathetic but why would anybody of sound mind involve Barbados in their travel plans during the pandemic and the extreme and restrictive protocols in place which don’t seem to work properly anyway?I usually go to Barbados every year but didn’t go in 2020 and from what I’ve been hearing and reading I will not go probably until 2022 or 2023.
If Barbados wishes to lock down the country let them do so.The economy will be in tatters soon.They obviously believe that tourists wish to visit Barbados so badly that they will endure any and all inconveniences.Let them know it isn’t so!!
I have a vacation planned at sandals Barbados and I have the travel insurance we paid a lot of money for this trip and it was planned for last year and then because of lock downs we pushed it to this year. I’m extremely upset that they never let us know about all the restrictions and now I saw that there was a volcanic eruption in st Vincent which has covered Barbados with ash and they say that can continue for weeks. Why can’t theses resorts tell you the truth.
I am UK citizen currently in Guyana, wants to travel back to the UK, how long do I have to spend in a amber or green country before I can travel back to the UK?
I have learned that Barbados is not accepting "mixed" vaccination protocols as being fully vaccinated. Does anyone know what documentation is requested when providing the vaccination evidence?
We are booked on a cruise from UK flying to barbados to board our ship. Surely we cannot quarantine even for 24hrs?? Please help as not getting much help from my travel company.
Hi Davinia,
We have updated this page with the latest requirements, based on the Barbados Ministry of Tourism website and gov.UK (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/barbados/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19). There are specific protocols for cruise passengers - on this page, scroll down to "New COVID-19 Health Protocols" and click on "Traveling by Sea" to view them.
https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2021
Hi, I am going to Barbados in the middle of November - please could you tell me how much the PCR test cost at the airport and how long would you have to quarentine after? I am double-jabbed by the way. Thank you😎
as far as i know the arrival test is free at the airport...i think