NASSAU, Bahamas, March 6, 2020 – The Bahamas Ministry of Health is working closely with all pertinent government agencies throughout the destination to execute The Bahamas National Preparedness and Response Plan for COVID-19. At this time, there are no reported cases of the coronavirus in The Bahamas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not currently recommend any restriction of travel or trade, and The Bahamas continues to welcome visitors to the destination. The Bahamas is conducting COVID-19 testing and is actively employing several measures used globally to screen visitors and residents and to manage the response to individuals of concern, in line with international health best practices. Traveller health questionnaires and a screening protocol are used at ports, hotels and rental properties to identify guests who may require surveillance or treatment.
On March 5, 2020, The Bahamas implemented new border control and quarantine measures for persons travelling from China, South Korea, Iran or Italy as a component of the country’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
All travelers who are not citizens or residents of The Bahamas with a history of travel to China, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the previous 20 days are to be denied entry.
Citizens and residents with a history of travel to all four jurisdictions within the previous 20 days are to be quarantined and monitored closely by the Public Health Department to determine whether possible exposure, while in any of the four aforementioned countries, will result in illness. Should they become ill, they will be managed per clinical management WHO guidelines for cases of COVID-19.
There are currently only two (2) quarantine cases in The Bahamas.
In regard to cruise ships, The Bahamas has increased protocol for arrivals into port and are now requiring to receive the vessels’ Medical Declarations of Health 24 hours in advance of landing.
Currently, no other countries are restricted but the Government of The Bahamas is reviewing this matter on an ongoing basis and will keep the travelling public informed.
A destination-wide education campaign is underway to remind the public of the basic hygiene practices that can be used to prevent the spread of the virus including frequent, proper hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, frequent disinfection of surfaces and avoiding close contact with those exhibiting signs of respiratory illness.
