Location: The Bahamas
Event: April 22, 2020 Update
Nationwide Curfew and Lockdown Update
Following the most recent full lockdown period which ended at 5:00 a.m. April 20, The Bahamas is currently under the regular 24-hour curfew regulations. On April 19, the Prime Minister announced some adjustments to these curfew regulations. The Prime Minister’s full remarks are available here: https://bit.ly/3ah9ajH.
The next full lockdown for The Bahamas will take place from 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 on April 27 at 5:00 a.m.
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 1200 EDT April 22
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 are as follows:
Jet Blue: Nassau to Fort Lauderdale: April 23 and April 28
Silver Airways, to Fort Lauderdale, departing from:
- Freeport: April 23
- Georgetown: April 23 and April 30
- Bimini: April 24
- Nassau: No flights scheduled through the end of April
- N. Eleuthera: No flights scheduled through the end of April
Aztec Airways:
- Aztec Airways’ scheduled flights are operating on a very limited basis and only as demand dictates; customers should please call +1-954-601-3742 for booking assistance.
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 the closure of 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.