WHAT’S NEW IN THE CARIBBEAN

Good News Travel Shortly

 

Stephen Weir In the last week this Caribbean Camera reporter has heard from the Bahamas, St. Kitts, St. Vincent and The Grenadines regarding travel changes that will impact Canadian visitors. As Covid-19 protection requirements are being reduced the news for travellers is all good.

 

The Islands of the Bahamas has eased entry protocols, is welcoming more nonstop flights, and reopening favourite hotels. At the end of August, the Bahamas no longer requires cruise passengers entering the country to be vaccinated. However, the unvaccinated must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel to The Bahamas.

In November Frontier Airlines will start nonstop flight from Atlanta to Nassau. Meanwhile Bahamasair will start new nonstop flights between Raleigh-Durham and Freeport, beginning in mid-November. Club Med Columbus Isle which was closed during the pandemic will be reopening its all-inclusive resort on San Salvador Island in late October. It is already accepting bookings.

 

St. Vincent and The Grenadines announced a number of updates on flights and Covid health guidelines.  Air Canada will recommence a weekly non-stop scheduled service from Toronto to St. Vincent starting Friday November, and twice weekly starting Tuesday December 20^th, 2022 

American Airlines has announced daily non-stop flights from Miami to St. Vincent starting Friday March 3^rd, 2023. it will be the first international airline to offer daily service to the Argyle Airport from North America. They currently operate twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

For anyone planning on visiting the islands, the government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has released updated COVID-19 protocols. Fully vaccinated travellers must arrive with proof of vaccination. These travellers will not be retested during their stay, nor will they have to complete any mandatory quarantine upon arrival. Unvaccinated travellers must arrive with a negative result of a COVID-19-PCR test done no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, or negative SARS CoV-2 antigen test done 24 hours before arrival and will not need to quarantine. They may be retested on arrival.

In St Kitts the Covid news is short and sweet.  According to the government visitors can now “enter St Kitts with ease. All Covid travel requirements have been lift.”

The proclamation was made in mid-August, Citizens, residents and international travellers no longer are required to present a negative Covid-19 test, show proof of vaccination or quarantine upon arrival. Simply fill out a short online customs and immigration form, and you are good to go!