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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
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18 MINUTE READ
June 6, 2020

Colorful health alert graphic

Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas –  June 5, 2020            

Location:  The Bahamas             

Event:        June 5, 2020 Update 

Emergency Powers Orders Updates as of 1700 EDT June 5 

The Bahamas is in Phase 3 of its reopening plan.  The loosening of restrictions is not being uniformly implemented across every island.  Following are some key updates.  You are encouraged to read the full Emergency Powers Orders at https://opm.gov.bs/press-room.   

Reopening of international borders to visitors:  The Bahamas announced its plan to reopen its borders to visitors effective July 1.  Until such time, all airports and seaports remain closed to visitors (including private airports).  The Embassy will provide updates when further details may become available from the Bahamian government. 

Inter-island travel:  Effective June 8, regular inter-island (domestic) commercial flights and domestic pleasure craft and yachts are permitted across all islands of The Bahamas.  Passengers traveling from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Bimini by aircraft, mailboat or passenger ferry will be required to complete a standardized travel form and a standardized health form at the time of check-in. These forms will replace the application and assessment process that was previously in place for inter-island travel.  Individuals traveling aboard pleasure craft and yachts leaving from a marina in New Providence, Grand Bahama or Bimini should submit travel and health forms before departing.  If leaving from a private dock, individuals will be required to fill out and submit forms at the point of entry.  The Ministries of Health and Tourism are developing a digital solution to further streamline this process.  Travelers must wear masks or facial coverings.  Physical distancing will be enforced.  

Nationwide curfew:  Effective Monday, June 8, a curfew will be in place from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., seven days per week until further notice.  

Lockdown periods:  The last nationwide lockdown period is currently in effect and will end Monday, June 8 at 5:00 a.m.  No future lockdowns are scheduled at this time. 

All persons entering the Bahamas until July 1st will need a molecular swab PCR COVID 19 test with a negative result. However, persons entering The Bahamas will no longer be quarantined at a government facility, but may instead be monitored by the Ministry of Health.
It is not yet clear what the exact requirements will be for international visitors entering The Bahamas after July 1. We will await information from the Bahamian government and provide updates as soon as we are able.

Flights to the United States – Update as of 1700 EDT June 5  

  • Commercial flights to the United States while limited currently still exist in The Bahamas.   JetBlue will operate flights from Nassau to Fort Lauderdale three times per week after June 11.  Aztec Airways is operating flights from North Eleuthera, Governor’s Harbour and Marsh Harbour to Fort Lauderdale.  
  • Inter-island (domestic) flights are available through carriers such as BahamasAir, Western Air and Pineapple Air beginning June 8.  Inter-island flights may provide broader options for connections to return flights to the United States.  
  • Private Charter Flights to the United States are available through several charter companies including:  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:  +1-954-727-3377;  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.   
  • All flights require face masks.  Please contact air carriers directly.  The listings above do not constitute endorsements.  Additional operators 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 to help vessels either remain moored or leave Bahamian waters.  Details are available at:https://blog.bahamasmarinas.com/2020/04/14/bahamas-government-protocols-for-boating-in-the-bahamas-april-2020/. This is not an endorsement.  

Actions to Take: 

For Assistance:   

U.S. Embassy Nassau, The Bahamas
#42 Queen Street, Nassau
+1-242-322-1181
ACSNassau@state.gov
U.S. Embassy Nassau webpage

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.

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[Edit on June 7th:] On June 5th our health alert said returning Bahamians didn’t need a COVID-19 test; this was incorrect, and we apologize for the confusion.

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