The Bahamas just closed its borders to tourists from the United States in an effort to control an uptick in COVID-19 since it reopened them on July 1. Tourists from Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union are still welcome there, as are recreational boaters and private charters from the U.S.
Dr. Hubert Minnis, the prime minister of the Bahamas, announced the new measures in a nationwide address on Sunday night. “Our current situation requires decisive action,” he said.
Under his orders, all Bahamasair outgoing flights to the U.S. stopped immediately.
As of midnight, Wednesday, July 22, international flights and cruise ships will be permitted from Canada, the UK, and the European Union, but not from the U.S. Private international flights and charters from all countries will be permitted, and private recreational boats and yachts from all countries will be permitted.
Dr. Minnis said that the COVID-10 situation had deteriorated “at an exponential rate” since the July 1 reopening, and that Grand Bahama in particular had seen a surge after being free of the virus for about two months. “The increase in cases coincided with the reinstitution of international flights and passenger sea transport,” he said. “Grand Bahama now has a curfew from 7 a.m. to 5 a.m. beginning on Monday (July 20). All public and private beaches and parks are closed until further notice.”
All visitors to the Bahamas must present a negative COVID-19 test taken by a recognized lab no more than 10 days before the date of travel. Read more:
https://www.caribjournal.com/2020/07/20/bahamas-us-flights-closing/
