Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley on June 26 announced that Barbados has reached a milestone in its fight against COVID-19.
There are no more active cases of COVID-19 in Barbados, and effective July 1, all curfews will be lifted. The Prime Minister made the announcement during a press conference at Ilaro Court, flanked by minister of health and wellness, Jeffrey Bostic; minister of tourism and international transport, Kerrie Symmonds and attorney general, Dale Marshall.
Other relaxed measures announced include physical distancing of three feet, social events with up to 500 patrons, and sporting events with spectators.
On the heels of 35 days with no new cases, Mottley shared the good news that commercial flights will resume at the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) commencing July 12, with a twice-weekly Air Canada service from Pearson International on Thursdays and Saturdays. On July 18, British Airways will resume a weekly flight out of London Gatwick; and Jet Blue is tentatively set to return to the island on July 25, with four weekly flights out of JFK in New York.
Intraregional flights on Caribbean Airlines are expected to resume in mid-July, while Virgin Atlantic?s weekly service from London Heathrow will return on August 1 and increase in October for the upcoming winter season. American Airlines will resume flights out of Miami, Florida on August 5.
Minister Symmonds meanwhile outlined the new protocols to ensure the health and safety of both visitors and residents once flights resume.
Within 72 hours prior to departure for Barbados, all travellers from high-risk countries are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test from an accredited laboratory (ISO, CAP, UKAS or equivalent). High-risk countries are defined as those with more than 10,000 new cases in the prior seven days and community transmission.
Travellers from low-risk countries will have up to one week prior to departure for Barbados to take their tests. Low-risk countries are defined as those with less than 100 new cases in the prior seven days and not in the Community Transmission Category.
There will also be a new online Embarkation/ Disembarkation card (ED card), with personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms, which travellers will be required to complete. Once all required steps are completed and supporting documents uploaded, travellers will receive a bar code via email.
