Sunday, 6th October 2024

Antigua and Barbuda releases new travel advisory with effective from October 1, 2021

The government of Antigua and Barbuda listed a fresh travel advisory in effect from October 1, 2021 to ensure the safeguard the residents and travelers arriving in the country.

Thursday, 23rd September 2021

Antigua and Barbuda: The government of Antigua and Barbuda listed a fresh travel advisory in effect from October 1, 2021, to ensure the safety of the residents and travellers arriving in the country. According to the government the VC Bird International Airport and Antigua Port Authority are now open to welcome international and regional air as well as vessel traffic in Antigua and Barbuda.  The new guidelines outlined that the government will continue to carry out a combination of testing, screening, the issuing of monitoring bracelets and other protocols to mitigate the risk of new COVID-19 cases into the country more specifically, imported cases. Following the same, Antigua and Barbuda restricted the entry of individuals into the country who have travelled to Brazil and South Africa during the past 14 days. However, these restrictions does not apply on flight crew members. Apart from that, people arriving from Dominican Republic are now allowed to travel directly to Antigua and Barbuda. The government advised citizens and nationals of Antigua and Barbuda to avoid travelling for all non-essential purposes during this time. Protocols are as followed: 
  • All persons arriving by air into the country must have a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test report taken within 4 days of their flight, this also includes transiting passengers. All rapid antigen test and other home tests are not accepted.
  • All persons arriving, which also includes returning nationals and residents are required to have received at least one dose of Covid 19 vaccine which is approved by World Health Organisation or Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment to get the permission for entry into Antigua and Barbuda. However, children below the age of 18 are exempted from this restriction while arriving at port of entry.
  • Children below the age of five years do not require a Covid 19 test report while entering Antigua and Barbuda.
  • All fully vaccinated passengers coming into Antigua and Barbuda who can present the verifiable proof of their vaccine and have their Covid 19 negative test report will be allowed to stay at bio safe/certified accommodation in the country. Notably, at least two weeks must have been passed since the administration of full vaccination. Persons who have received single dose of the vaccine or are unvaccinated will be allowed to stay at the COVID-19 certified accommodation/lodging.
  • Fully vaccinated nationals and citizens who can present the verifiable documentation of COVID-19 vaccine and have a Covid 19 RT-PCR test report will not be required to quarantine upon their arrival.
  • Citizens and Residents who are vaccinated with a single dose of double dose vaccine or are unvaccinated will be required to quarantine for 14 days at a hotel at their own expense or in an exceptional case determined by port health officials to utilize the rooms available at the former US base.
  • Passengers upon arrival in Antigua and Barbuda who are under home or quarantine facility will be required to wear a monitoring bracelet as described by the quarantine authority regulations.
  • Persons arriving with false or incorrect Arty PCR report will be charged the cost of administering the RT-PCR test. The fees for this test will cost US $50 nationals and the US $100 to non-nationals of Antigua and Barbuda. And persons who present false document knowingly will be liable for a fine according to the law. 
  • Unvaccinated passengers who are arriving in Antigua and Barbuda for medical treatment or purposes are required to have a negative Covid-19 RT-PCR test taken within four days of their flight.
  • On December creation, all passengers arriving in Antigua and Barbuda are required to wear face mask as it is mandatory in all public places and they must practice social/physical distancing protocols at the airport as well on all public places. 
  • All marine Pleasure craft and ferry services entering the waters of Antigua and Barbuda must contact the port authority, using the VHF channel 16 at least 6 hours before their arrival in the country.