The Bahamas to reopen beaches and major hotels from October 15

The Bahamas will reopen beaches and major hotels from October 15 as the country carries out stage 3 of the Tourism Readiness and Recovery Plan ahead of the busy holiday season.

Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar declared the date of the third phase on Monday.

D’Aguilar said that all hotel guests must accept by a 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP), which will allow guests access to all comforts, including hotel spas, gyms, bars and more. Also, Phase 3 will also see the reopening of temptations, trips and tours on November 1.

Before the reopening, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is working with airline partners to secure direct airlift from key markets where the curve has been unwrapped.

Moreover, the Ministry’s communication team is prepared to launch a strong marketing campaign, complete with real storytelling and bold PR and sales strategies, leaning into current travel trends, such as the preference for vacations closer to home, as well as options that afford isolation and outdoor pursuits.

Pursuing the safe move into Phase 3, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation along with the Ministry of Health and other government agencies will propose an appropriate date to enter Phase 4, which relates to the reopening of vendors, select attractions, casinos, cruises and ferries.

Useful, September 1, 2020, the Bahamian government declared openly new entry requirements, including:

• Approved Bahamas Health Visa available at travel.gov.bs
• Proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than five (5) days prior to arrival.
• The only applicants who are not required to provide a COVID-19 test are:
  • • Children under the age of ten (10)
    • Pilots and crew who remain overnight in The Bahamas.
• Mandatory 14-day Vacation-In-Place (VIP) Experience at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations (like Airbnb), as well as on a private boat.

It is recommended that all travellers interested in visiting The Bahamas review requirements applicable to each member of their party at Bahamas.com/travelupdates before booking a trip, to determine what steps need to be taken to be granted entry.