Antigua & Barbuda Travel Advisory as of 18 November 2021
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has updated its travel advisory effective immediately to ensure the continued safety of travellers 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 including random testing of arriving passengers, the issuing of monitoring bracelets and other measures to mitigate the risk of importing any new cases of COVID-19 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.
Restrictions imposed on people travelling from Brazil and South Africa have been removed. Nationals and residents of Antigua and Barbuda are strongly advised to avoid all non-essential travel at this time.
The protocols implemented are as follows:
- Fully vaccinated arriving passengers can present an RT PCR test negative result, with the test taken within four (4) days, OR an approved Rapid Antigen test negative result, with the test taken within three (3) days, to be permitted entry into Antigua and Barbuda. The list of approved Rapid Antigen tests is provided in the below. Please note that the test must be administered by a medical professional.
- Partially vaccinated arriving passengers must have a negative COVID-19 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 transiting passengers). Please note that rapid antigen tests and home tests are NOT accepted.
- All arriving passengers including returning nationals and residents are required to have received at least one dose of a World Health Organization (WHO) or Ministry of Health Wellness and the Environment (MOHWE) 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.
- Unvaccinated minors between the ages of five and eighteen years old must present a negative RT PCR test of four days or fewer from the date of testing.
- Children below the age of five (5) years entering Antigua and Barbuda, DO NOT REQUIRE a COVID -19 RT-PCR test.
- 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 COVID 19 vaccine and have a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test result will be allowed to stay at bio-safe/certified accommodation/yacht. 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 COVID-19 Certified Accommodation/Lodging/yacht.
- 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-19 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Passengers who arrive without COVID 19 test results or with incorrect COVID test results will be charged the cost of administering 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-19 negative tests or vaccination on arrival will be fined according to the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.
- 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.
- Passengers granted medical exemption arriving for medical treatment/procedures must have a negative COVID-19 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; and D) The intended address in Antigua and Barbuda, together with the name and telephone number of a contact person if available.
14. 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.