The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, further to its release of 30 January, wishes to update the general public regarding the ongoing efforts by the Government of Canada to combat the spread of COVID 19 in Canada, and the possible impact on Bahamians.

In recent days the Canadian Government announced a number of new strict measures to prevent the further introduction of COVID 19 throughout Canada. Among the new measures are the following which could have direct implications for Bahamians:

Suspension of all flights to and from Mexico and Caribbean countries:

Based on an agreement with Canada’s airlines and the Government, effective January 31, 2021 and until April 30, 2021 all flights to and from Mexico and the Caribbean are suspended.  

Private Passenger Flights/International Charter Passenger Flights:

Effective midnight (11:59 PM EST) February 3, 2021 and until further notice, the restrictions made under the Aeronautics Act which were implemented since March 2020 will be expanded to include the certain special flights to Canada. These flights will now be required to land at one of four Canadian airports. The airports are Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport. The category of flights is as follows:

• Scheduled commercial passenger flights from the United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America;
• International business / private passenger flights from all countries; and              International charter passenger flights from all countries.

Flights from Saint-Pierre-et Miquelon and cargo-only international flights will still be exempt from this new requirement.

Implications for Citizens, Permanent Residents, Students, Diplomats

In an ongoing effort to discourage all forms of non- essential travel, arriving passengers into Canada will be required to do the following:

• provide proof of a negative pre-departure COVID 19 test.
• take a COVID-19 molecular test on arrival at their own cost;
• reserve a room in a Government of Canada-approved hotel for three nights at their own cost while they await their test results; stay in and pay for hotel room, as well as all associated costs for food, cleaning and security, while awaiting the results of the COVID-19 molecular test taken upon arrival. These costs are estimated at $2000 per person.

Further details may be obtained by visiting the following website:

https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2021/01/government-of-canada-introduces-further restrictions-on-international-travel.html.

The MFA, via The Bahamas High Commission in Canada, will continue to monitor developments and keep the public informed as necessary.