Bahamas Reverses Ban on U.S. Travelers, Adds Mandatory Quarantine

The Bahamian government has reversed its earlier decision to ban U.S. travelers, just days after announcing the policy.

The tourism-dependent Caribbean nation will now welcome arrivals from all countries, with updated guidelines and restrictions in place after a rise in positive COVID-19 tests since reopening borders to international travel on July 1.

According to the country’s new Emergency Powers Order, all international visitors are now required to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the Bahamas, staying in a government-run facility at their own expense, and then undergo a real-time PCR COVID-19 test at the end of their isolation period, also at the visitor’s expense.

International travelers are allowed to quarantine at their booked hotel.

The requirements were officially signed as an emergency order by Prime Minister Hubert Minnis on July 22.

Prime Minister Minnis also announced late Friday that the Bahamas has reinstated on-island guidelines, includes weekend lockdowns and weekly curfews, beach closures, dining restrictions, and the discontinuation of inter-island travel.

As of July 26, there are 16 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to The Bahamas Ministry of Health, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 342. Grand Bahama, which has the most number of cases, is currently in a two-week lockdown.