Changes in The Bahamas travel restrictions in 2021

With vaccinations now in full swing in the United States, many Americans are now making plans to travel to places such as The Bahamas, a place considered by many to be one of the most accessible international destinations for travelers post-pandemic. Located in the sapphire waters of the Caribbean, The Bahamas is renowned for their pristine white-sand beaches and lush greenery. This makes the island group ideal for travelers looking to stretch their legs and have a good time after being cooped up for the greater part of last year. The island group is also being looked at as a premier destination for those who are planning to move from the US, evidence of which is the sheer uptick in people looking for homes for sale in Nassau and other places in The Bahamas. Before you book your fights and pack your bags, however, visiting the Bahamas will be very diferent in 2021. Here are some important things that you need to know:

Travelers need to get tested

As noted by authorities, those looking to visit The Bahamas will need to secure a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR or nasal swab test taken no more than fve days before their arrival. Once they get a negative test result, travelers must then apply for the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and get the COVID-19 health insurance, the cost of which will be included in the travel health visa application fee. Children under the age of 10, however, will not be required to take a COVID-19 test. Visitors who are planning to stay in The Bahamas for longer than four nights and fve days are also required to take a rapid COVID-19 antigen test on their ffth day. The cost of this test is included with the Bahamas Travel Health Visa and will thus be paid in advance of travel. This means that travelers who will be looking at some homes for sale in Nassau, Bahamas will be able to get the tests without any additional cost. Those who will be staying less than four nights and fve days, however, can expect to pay $25 for a rapid test, which will yield results in 60 minutes or less. As mandated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, all US-bound air travelers aged two and older must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result within 72 hours of their departure date. Don’t worry, however, as there are clinics in Old Fort Bay in Nassau, as well as in destinations such as Lyford Cay and Kamalame Cay, that ofer on-site testing to visitors.

Travelers should be aware of The Bahamas’ enhanced health and safety protocols

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas has implemented the Clean & Pristine certifcation program across the islands' hotels, restaurants and tourist spots in order to lessen their visitors’ risk of infection. The Clean & Pristine certifcation program means that facilities will be subjected to enhanced cleaning, while guests and employees alike will be made to undergo health monitoring and temperature checks. Travelers – especially those who want to look for Old Fort Bay homes for sale – are also expected to do their part as well by practicing social distancing measures, in addition to following health protocols such as regular hand washing and the wearing of face masks. Those who are looking for Lyford Cay homes for sale, meanwhile will be expected to follow stringent rules while inside the private, gated community, especially since most of its residents are elderly and at-risk.

Here’s how you can get your own island home

Whether you’re looking for Kamalame Cay homes for sale, or a fne, oceanfront home in Old Fort Bay, and Lyford Cay, Viceroy Luxury Real Estate Group is here to help. Call Viceroy Luxury Real Estate Group at [ai_phone href="+1.242.502.3400"]242.502.3400[/ai_phone] or email [mail_to email="info@viceroybahamas.com"]info@viceroybahamas.com[/mail_to] to inquire about owning your slice of the Bahamas. You can also drop your message here.