Bridgetown, Barbados
The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) is pleased to announce that Barbados has been added to the UK ‘Green List’* as it relates to the resumption of travel, effective June 24, 2021.
The inclusion onto the Green List is testament to the low number of current infection rates on the island (<2% of all tests) and the successful vaccination roll-out over the last few months, which has seen nearly 95,000 first doses given out to the population, with nearly 70,000 on the island now fully vaccinated with two-doses. This represents nearly half the adult population having had their first shot.
Historically, Barbados has seen a very low number of infections and deaths throughout the course of the pandemic, due to the protocols that were put in place in early 2020 to safeguard the population. This included the need for negative PCR tests on arrival by all guests, to ensure there were low numbers of cases coming into the island – ensuring the safety of both visitors and people who live on the island.
The addition onto the ‘Green List’ comes within a few weeks of Barbados announcing its new entry protocols – which will ensure the continued safety of both guests and those who reside on the island, which remains the most important aspect to allow tourism to resume in a meaningful way.
The new entry protocols are detailed below. They provide two entry processes – the first for those who are ‘Fully Vaccinated’ and entry protocols for those who remain unvaccinated.
Barbados Entry Protocols at a glance – Effective June 7th, 2021
The above protocols allow for a much more traditional experience for travellers who have received two shots of a vaccination regimen, with an approved vaccine – with guests who are waiting the result of their on-island PCR test often being able to use facilities in the hotels at leisure (such as restaurants and pools). There will then be a maximum of 48 hours before they receive their test results – and they are then free to enjoy Barbados in full.
Note that Fully Vaccinated travellers whose pre-flight COVID-19 tests have been rejected on arrival, will have a standard COVID-19 PCR test. Such travellers are expected to quarantine at an approved quarantine accommodation and their quarantine will end upon receipt of a negative test result. No further testing is required.
Full entry protocols can be found here: www.barbadostravelprotocols.com
Barbados is fully served at present by weekly flights from the UK: British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London, Heathrow and, with Virgin Atlantic from Manchester from August 6th. Aer Lingus will join the collective with flights starting from 20th October 2021 out of Manchester.
Minister for Tourism and International Transport, Senator the Hon. Lisa Cummins comments:
“This is significant news for Barbados today. Making the Green List is testament to the marriage between the work of the public health officials and the tourism officials in ensuring there are safe border protocols that govern entry into the country; the work of our Prime Minister in ensuring we have one of the strongest vaccination programmes in the Caribbean; and the work of Barbadians in protecting each other.
In addition to the UK Green List, Barbados is also on the Scottish and Northern Irish Green Lists. When combined, these are all significant opportunities for Barbados to get our economy going again, to earn much needed revenue for our businesses, and to get our workers employed again.
After a few months of paused tourism, Barbados and its people are looking forward to re-opening their doors and safely welcoming back visitors for long overdue getaways. Known for some of the most open and inviting luxurious hotels, spacious beaches and rich culture and history, Barbados lends itself as the perfect post pandemic travel destination.
*Barbados is listed on England’s Green Watchlist, signalling that Barbados is at risk of moving from green to amber. For more information please visit www.gov.uk
ENDS
For more information on Barbados, please contact Niamh Waters niamh@travelmedia.ie
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