Location: The Bahamas
Event: April 17, 2020
Nationwide Lockdowns Scheduled for the Rest of April
On April 6, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas announced full lockdown orders for all of The Bahamas as follows:
9:00 p.m. Friday, April 17 through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, April 20.
9:00 p.m. Friday, April 24 through 5:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27.
During these lockdown periods, virtually all businesses and service providers will be closed. Hospitals, hotels with guests, law enforcement and essential utility personnel are excepted from these around the clock shutdown restrictions. 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 hotel/lodging during these lockdown periods, until the regular 24-hour curfew regulations resume as per the above schedule.
Departure of Private Vessels from The Bahamas
On April 14, 2020, the Bahamian government established general protocols for private watercraft in The Bahamas. Please read the full text at https://bs.usembassy.gov/covid-19-private-vessels.
The private Association of Bahamas Marinas has 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.
Scheduled Commercial Airline Flights to the United States as of 1300 EDT April 17
International scheduled commercial flights and private charter flight options, while limited, currently exist in The Bahamas. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period.
The next scheduled commercial flights to the United States (Fort Lauderdale) are as follows:
Jet Blue: April 21, 23 and 28 departing from Nassau at 4:31 p.m.
Silver Airways: Departing from:
- Freeport: April 23, 25, 29 and 30 (Apr 22 flight has been canceled)
- Georgetown: April 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30
- N. Eleuthera: April 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
- Bimini: April 24, 26, 27
- Nassau: (no flights scheduled for the rest of April)
Aztec Airways: Departing from:
- N. Eleuthera: April 20 and April 29
Private Charter Flights to the United States
Some private charter companies have confirmed their ability to provide flights into the United States directly from The Bahamas. We encourage you to 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
- 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.
On March 23, the Prime Minister of The Bahamas announced additional measures in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. These additional measures include closing all airports and seaports of The Bahamas to incoming international flights carrying visitors, effective March 24 (including private airports). These border closures are currently in effect through April 30, and officials have already commented publicly that this date might be further extended. Entry restrictions were broadened March 27 to include all incoming passengers, including Bahamian citizens and residents. Under these orders all domestic inter-island traffic by air or boat within The Bahamas is also temporarily banned, unless vessels are departing The Bahamas directly in accordance with the Bahamian government’s general protocols for private craft.
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.
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 Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts.