The Barbados government has announced changes to the island’s travel entry protocols.
Effective midnight, Thursday, September 22, 2022, Barbados discontinued all COVID-19-related travel protocols. Therefore, according to a statement, there will be no testing requirements to enter Barbados whether travellers are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizen’s homes; persons travelling on public transportation; and for persons who are COVID-19 positive.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. The Hon. Lisa Cummins stated, “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to our shores to experience all of the new and returning events slated for the rest of the year, and into early 2023,” she said.
Costa Cruises is updating its COVID-19-related health protocols, making its vacations even more accessible, according to a press release.
Starting Oct. 8, new simple procedures will allow guests to enjoy onboard and shoreside activities without restrictions, the company said.
The main changes concern the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the United Arab Emirates, where fully vaccinated guests will no longer have to undergo pre-embarkation testing. In addition, in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, unvaccinated guests with negative pre-embarkation antigen tests will also be able to embark.
In Mediterranean (excluding Greece) and the Caribbean cruises lasting less than 14 nights, guests who have completed the COVID-19 vaccination will be able to embark on the ships without having to undergo any more pre-embarkation tests.
Guests who have not been vaccinated or cured from COVID-19 will also be able to travel with Costa to these destinations, simply showing at the embarkation an official certification of the negative result of an antigenic swab (or also RT-PCR molecular swab, at the guest’s choice) performed within 48 hours of embarkation time.
All cruises calling in Greece will continue to be available only to fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated and recovered guests, and who have undergone antigen testing with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation.
On cruises visiting Morocco, guests without full vaccination will be required to take an additional RT-PCR molecular test on board 48 hours prior to entry into the country. As for Caribbean cruises, shore leave of unvaccinated guests in Barbados, St. Vincent and St. Marteen is permitted only with a negative result of an antigen test performed 24 or 48 hours prior to the ship’s arrival. These tests, as well as those scheduled prior to entering Morocco, can be done onboard Costa ships at a special price.
Cruises in the UAE, Oman and Qatar are currently available only to fully vaccinated guests, but with no pre-embarkation testing required.
Around-the-World, transatlantic cruises, and generally all cruises longer than 14 nights, require guests to be fully vaccinated and take an antigen test with a negative result within 48 hours of embarkation time. In addition, mask use onboard will be mandatory in public areas during the first seven days of the cruise, while in other destinations (Mediterranean, Caribbean, UAE) mask use is simply recommended.
Virgin Voyages will allow more non-fully vaccinated passengers to sail after it removed a 10% cap on guests without a full Covid-19 vaccination.
Previously, the line required 90% of guests to be fully vaccinated – allowing for 10% of customers to be non-fully vaccinated.
From 18 September for sailings onboard Valiant Lady and from 21 September for Scarlet Lady, the cap will be removed and all passengers will be able to board regardless of their vaccination status.
However, non-fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
A Virgin Voyages spokesperson said: “The health and safety of our sailors (guests) and crew are most important, and we’ll continue to emphasize our ’Voyage Well’ protocols.
“We’re excited to see cruising make its way back to 2019 sailing levels and to welcome aboard both new and returning cruisers seeking a different kind of adventure on the high seas.”
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