The Bahamas is tightening its entry requirements for travelers, an effort to keep hospitalization rates stable as omicron continues to spread across the globe.
Prime Minister Philip Davis announced Thursday that effective immediately, all visitors must test negative for the virus within 72 hours of entering the country instead of five days, regardless of vaccination status.
Vaccinated travelers and unvaccinated travelers under 12 can use PCR or rapid antigen tests, while unvaccinated travelers 12 and older only can use PCR tests.
Entry rules will tighten again Jan. 7, with the islands only accepting PCR tests. Children under the age of 2 are exempt from the testing requirements.
“Countries around the world are pursuing new strategies to contain the worst impact of the virus. We need to do the same here now,” Davis said Thursday. “We want to reduce the impact, which unfortunately will be severe, on our clinics and hospitals.”
(From USA Today)
SEE Bahamas.gov > COVID Restrictions for further information.
The Jan 7, PCR only requirement has been suspended. “Please Note: The Bahamas has suspended the mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travellers, which was expected to take effect on 7 January 2022. Rapid Antigen tests will continue to be accepted for fully vaccinated persons.” If you are unvaccinated, only a PCR test will be accepted. The link above has an excellent grid showing the requirements.