WHAT'S ON

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has updated its Travel Advisory effective October 1, 2021 to ensure the continued safety of travelers and residents. The V.C. Bird International Airport is open for international and regional air traffic. The Antigua Port Authority is open to Cargo Vessels, Pleasure Craft and Ferry Services which are required to follow all protocols issued by Port Health.

The State continues to carry out a combination of screening, testing, the issuing of monitoring bracelets and other measures to mitigate the risk of importing any new cases of COVID-l9 into the country. Additionally, measures have been implemented for the quick detection of any imported cases. This strategy is intended to protect and safeguard the health of both residents and visitors to Antigua and Barbuda.

In diligent pursuit of the above-stated imperative, the government has imposed restrictions to entry into Antigua and Barbuda on ALL persons who have travelled to the following countries of Brazil and South Africa during the last fourteen (14) days. (This restriction does not apply to flight crews). Passengers from travel directly to Antigua and Barbuda. The Dominican Republic are now permitted to.

Nationals and residents of Antigua and Barbuda are strongly advised to avoid all nonessential travel at this time.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀:
1. All arriving passengers by air must have a negative COVID- I 9 RT-PCR (real time Polymerase chain reaction) test for SARS-CoV-2 using a nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swab taken within four (4) days of their flight.  (This includes in transiting passengers). Please note that rapid antigen tests and home tests are NOT accented.

2. All arriving passengers including returning nationals and residents are Required to have received at least one dose of a World Health Organization approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or a single dose vaccine to be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda. Children below the age of eighteen (18) years arriving at a port of entry are exempted from this requirement.

3. Children below the age of five (5) years entering Antigua and Barbuda, DO NOT REQUIRE a COVID -19 RT-PCR test.

4. Fully vaccinated passengers entering Antigua and Barbuda who can present verifiable documentation that they have received both doses of a World Health Organization (WHO) or Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or one dose of a single dose COVD 19 vaccine and have a COVID-l9 RT-PCR negative test result will be allowed to stay at bio safe/certified accommodation. At least two (2) weeks must have passed since the administration of the FULL vaccine dosage. Partially vaccinated visitors will be allowed to stay at a certified Accommodation/Lodgings.

5. Fully vaccinated returning nationals and residents who can present verifiable documentation that they have received both doses of a WHO or MOHWE approved 2-dose COVID 19 vaccine or one dose of a single dose COVID 19 vaccine and have a COVID-I9 RT-PCR negative test result will not be required to quarantine. At least two (2) weeks must have passed since the administration of the FULL vaccine dosage.

6. Partially vaccinated returning nationals and residents will be required to quarantine as determined by the Quarantine Authority, or in exceptional cases determined by Port Health Officials to utilize the rooms available at the former U.S. Base at Coolidge.

7. Persons quarantined at a government-approved facility for a period of fourteen (14) days will do so for a fee not exceeding EC$82.00 per night.

8. Arriving passengers who are permitted to quarantine at home or instructed to stay at a government quarantine facility may be required to wear a monitoring bracelet according to the Quarantine Authority regulations.

9. Passengers who arrive without COVID 19 test results or with incorrect COVID test results will be charged the cost of administering of the required RT PCR test assay. The fee is US$50.00 for nationals and US$100.00 for non-nationals. Passengers who knowingly present false declarations of COVID-l9 negative tests or vaccination on arrival will be fined according to the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.

10. Visitors are required to observe all protocols during their stay and patronize only COVID-19 certified businesses such as restaurants and excursions for the duration of their trip.

11. Unvaccinated passengers arriving for medical treatment/procedures must have a negative COVID-I9 RT-PCR taken within four (4) days of their flight.

They also must comply with Ministry of Health Guidelines for the Transfer of Patients into Antigua and Barbuda, to include:
a) A letter of Request for Medical Transfer from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the originating country to the CMO of Antigua and Barbuda who is also the Quarantine Authority.
b) A medical report detailing patient's condition, treatment required and the urgency of the situation.
c) A Letter of Acceptance from the receiving institution stating that the patient has been accepted for care, together with the name of the physician who will be managing the Patient.
d) The intended address in Antigua and Barbuda, together with the name and telephone number of a contact person if available'

12. Passengers arriving by sea (private yachts/Ferry Services) are subject to quarantine according to guidelines issued by Port Health'

13. The wearing of face masks in public spaces is mandatory throughout Antigua and Barbuda and social/physical distancing protocols must be adhered to. Therefore, all passengers arriving in Antigua and Barbuda must wear a face mask on disembarkation, while on the airport compound and in all public places'

14. All arriving passengers must complete a Health Declaration Form and will be subject to screening and temperature checks by Port Health Authorities upon arrival in Antigua and Barbuda.

15. Arriving passengers with symptoms of COVID 19 may be isolated as determined by the Health Authorities.

16. Transiting Passengers/Crew required to proceed to a departure. Members who require an overnight stay will be hotel or government designated facility to await.

17. Rapid antigen tests will be permitted for departing passengers in cases where the receiving states permit the use thereof by individuals returning to their countries of origin. Hotels will be required to provide this service to their guests.

18. All Marine Pleasure craft and Ferry Services entering the waters of Antigua and Barbuda should contact the Antigua Port Authority, using VHF Channel 16, at least six (6) hours prior to arrival. Instructions will be given to guide the crafts to either the Nevis Street Pier or English/Falmouth Harbours, Jolly Harbour, or other holding area.

Military vessels/Aircraft and other Watercraft transporting food, medical supplies, humanitarian and emergency supplies will be required to follow the Quarantine Guidelines established by the Quarantine Authority as well as issued by Port Health and must give prior notification before arrival.
These restrictions for maritime traffic, and the consequential Antigua Port Authority guidelines' issued during the State of Emergency, shall not restrict vessels engaged in innocent passage and/or transit passage, within the territorial seas and/or archipelagic waters of Antigua and Barbuda, under the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗯𝘂𝗱𝗮.

For travel info and certified accommodations etc., please click here.