Caribbean Islands Tighten Travel Restrictions, Some Resorts Close

As the COVID-19 pandemic widens its reach, Caribbean nations are restricting travel in order to help mitigate the spread of the virus.

In one of the strongest measures, Dominican Republic President Danilo Medina announced the island will be closing the country’s borders by land, sea and air effective Thursday, March 19, for the next 15 days. Medina has also banned local and international activities including cultural, artistic and sports events as well as entertainment venues like bars and clubs, among others.

Following the decision to close the borders, Club Med Punta Cana and Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda said it will temporarily suspend operations from March 19 to May 1, 2020.

The Excellence Collection will also temporarily close its two resorts in the country: Excellence Punta Cana as well as Excellence El Carmen. The resorts will close beginning on Friday, March 20, with plans to reopen on June 5, 2020.

AMresorts, which operates four resorts in the Dominican Republic and one in Jamaica, among others in the Caribbean, said it made the decision to close hotels in all destinations until further notice. 

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts will close several of its Domincan Republic and Jamaica properties, including: Iberostar Grand Bávaro, Iberostar Punta Cana, Iberostar Dominicana, Iberostar Costa Dorada, Iberostar Grand Rose Hall and Iberostar Rose Hall Beach. They are scheduled to reopen May 1.

Jamaica closed its borders to incoming travelers effective Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 11:59 pm for a 14 day period. Following the new measures, Half Moon announced it will temporarily close March 18 to May 1, 2020. RIU Hotels closed RIU Negril, RIU Montego Bay and RIU Palace.

Aruba, the Cayman Islands, St. Maarten and Trinidad are closed to international visitors for two to four weeks. This closures went into effect Monday, March 16.

Curacao and Guadeloupe have suspended all international flights, while Anguilla banned direct flights originating from Europe, including the United Kingdom, for the next 14 days, effective March 17.

Antigua and Barbuda are not allowing in foreign nationals who have traveled to and from China, Italy, Iran, Japan, Korea and Singapore the past 28 days.

The Bahamas will introduce expanded travel restrictions March 19. Non-residents who have traveled to the UK, Ireland and Europe within the last 20 days will be barred from entry into the country. This is in addition to restrictions already in place for China, Iran, Italy and South Korea.

The Bahamas’ Club Med Columbus Isle will close between March 21 and May 1, 2020. Club Med Caravelle in Guadeloupe and Club Med Buccaneer’s Creek in Martinique are also temporarily closed until May 1.

The British Virgin Islands announced the immediate closure of the Tortola cruise port, allowing no cruise ships to call on the territory for a 30-day period. The BVI also limited international arrivals to just three ports.

Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis have also imposed quarantines for recent travelers from most countries affected by the virus.

This story was updated on 3/23/20.