Location: The Bahamas
Event: May 29, 2020 Update
Emergency Powers Orders Updates Announced on May 29, 2020
On May 28, the Prime Minister announced The Bahamas is entering Phase 3 of its reopening plan. The loosening of restrictions is not being universally implemented on every island. Following are some of the key updates. You are encouraged to read the full Emergency Powers Orders at https://opm.gov.bs/emergency-powerscovid19lockdownno-9order2020/.
- The Emergency Powers Orders are extended to June 29, 2020. All airports and seaports remain closed to incoming international flights carrying visitors until June 29 (including private airports).
- This weekend’s lockdown period shall run from Friday, May 29 at 9:00 p.m. until Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 a.m. On the Whit Monday holiday (June 1), grocery stores, pharmacies, and restaurants with curbside pickup, delivery, drive through or takeaway service will be open for limited hours as described in the above linked resource.
- Bimini’s ongoing lockdown has been extended until Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 a.m.
- Effective June 2, the weekday curfew will be reduced from 24 hours to 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
- Effective June 2, non-essential businesses in the following Family Islands are permitted to resume normal commercial operations: Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco and its surrounding cays, Andros, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Rum Cay and Ragged Island. Certain categories of non-essential businesses on Bimini, Grand Bahama, and New Providence are not permitted to re-open at this time; please refer to the Emergency Powers Orders.
Emergency Powers Orders – Travel Restrictions,
Curfew and Lockdown Information
In addition to the important updates noted above, the following regulations remain in effect:
Weekend lockdowns will continue from 9:00 p.m. on Fridays through 5:00 a.m. the following Mondays (exception: as noted above, the lockdown for the weekend beginning Friday, May 29 at 9:00 p.m. extends through Tuesday, June 2 at 5:00 a.m.). During the lockdowns, only hospitals, hotels, law enforcement and essential personnel are excepted from these around-the-clock shutdown restrictions. Exercise is permitted in your immediate neighborhood from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We urge all U.S. citizens still in The Bahamas and its territorial waters to shelter in place or stay in your home and yard, on your vessel, or in your lodging during these lockdown periods.
Inter-island travel: Specific protocols remain in place to allow individuals presently in The Bahamas on certain islands to travel to other specific islands. Through June 1, individuals may undertake inter-island travel among Cat Island, Long Island, Abaco, Andros, Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, Long Cay, Rum Cay and Ragged Island.
Effective June 2, residents of the Family Islands which are cleared for commercial activity may travel between those islands by plane or boat without a COVID-19 Travel Authorization Card. Those on the Family Islands cleared for commercial activity may also travel to New Providence and Grand Bahama; however, in order to return to their respective islands they must complete the procedures and processes outlined above.
Individuals in New Providence and Grand Bahama wishing to travel to other islands in The Bahamas are required to register with the Ministry of Health by emailing covid19travel@bahamas.gov.bs and submitting to an evaluation by a Ministry of Health-authorized physician. Individuals who are deemed low-risk will be issued a COVID-19 Authorization Travel Card which will allow for travel to these specific Family Islands.
Any other inter-island travel must be pre-approved by the Bahamas’ Civil Aviation Authority.
Scheduled Commercial Airline Flights to the United States as of 1400 EDT May 29
International scheduled commercial flights and private charter flight options, while limited, currently still exist in The Bahamas. All flights require the use of face masks.
The following commercial airlines are currently offering flights to Fort Lauderdale. Please contact the airlines directly for further information. JetBlue continues to operate flights out of Nassau. Silver Airways is operating flights from Freeport contingent upon demand. Aztec Airways has scheduled flights from North Eleuthera, Governor’s Harbour and Marsh Harbour.
Private Charter Flights to the United States
Some private charter companies have confirmed their ability to provide flights into the United States. Please contact charter companies directly with questions regarding availability and cost.
- Air Care 1: aircareone.com, +1-502-242-7760
- All Bahamas Courier Services: +1-242-727-4165
- Aztec Airways: +1-954-351-9313
- Bahamas Charter Flights: +1-954-359-0320
- IBC Airways: +1-954-848-2370
- Island Air Charters: +1-954-359-9942
- Island Wings – USA: +1-954-617-8804
- Makers Air – FXE: +1-954-771-0330
- Noble Air Charter: +1-305-685-9634
- Silver Airways charter flights: +1-801-401-9103
- Trans Island Airways: sales@tia.aero
- Treasure Air Charters: 1-305-741-0489
- Tropic Air Charters – FXE: +1-954-267-0707
- Tropic Ocean Airways – FLL: +1-954-210-5569
- Tropix Air/Island Wings Ltd.: +1-242-424-4260
This list is not an endorsement. Additional operators not listed above may be available.
Departure of Private Vessels from The Bahamas
The Bahamian government’s general protocols for private watercraft during this emergency period in The Bahamas are available at https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-private-vessels/.
The private Association of Bahamas Marinas created The Bahamas Safe Passage Home and Sea Quarantine as an orderly way to help vessels either remain moored or leave Bahamian waters. The program exists within the existing guidelines of the Bahamian government’s emergency powers orders and service will NOT be offered on days where a total shutdown has been ordered. There are now strategically placed participating marinas through the country available and open to accept vessels if arrangements are made prior to arrival. Details about the program and participating marinas can be found here:
This is not an endorsement. Additional operators not listed above may be available.
Actions to Take:
- Follow the instructions and regulations coming from the Bahamian government; please consult https://covid19.gov.bs and https://opm.gov.bs/ for the latest information on COVID-19 from the Government of The Bahamas.
- Consult the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and recommendations for travelers and high-risk populations.
- See the CDC’s latest recommendations for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
- Visit the COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov for the latest information.
- Visit the U.S. Embassy COVID-19 Information Page for information on conditions in The Bahamas.
- Visit the Department of Homeland Security’s website for the most up-to-date information on travel restrictions to the United States.
For Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
#42 Queen Street, Nassau
+1-242-322-1181
For U.S. Citizens in an Emergency:
Call State Department – Consular Affairs at
1 888-407-4747 (when dialing from within the U.S.)
+1 (202) 501-4444 (when dialing from overseas)
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.