The Bahamas has released the latest update of its travel protocols, as the country is to lift its lockdown in New Providence (Nassau) on Aug. 31.

On Aug. 31, restaurants will be allowed to resume outdoor dining, curbside pickup and delivery service, while retailers will also be allowed to resume curbside pickup.

Beaches in New Providence will also open to the public between 5 AM and 9 AM daily.

Beginning Sept. 1, all travelers must apply for a Bahamas Health Visa (you can find it here). They must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test taken no more than five days prior to the date of arrival.

The Bahamas is retaining its requirement that all visitors quarantine for 14 days upon arrival into The Bahamas — with quarantine permitted at a hotel, private club or rented accommodations like Airbnb, or on a boat.

All travelers also need to install the Hubbcat App on their phones for contact tracing purposes.

Once the 14-day period is complete, travelers must complete another COVID-19 test at their own expense.

“The Bahamas has remained diligent in efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case,” The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism said in a statement. “Due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change. The health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority, and public health officials are closely monitoring indicators to determine whether more or less stringent measures will be required going forward.”

For more, visit the Bahamas Travel Protocols page.

— CJ