NASSAU, Bahamas - 28 December 2020 – The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation notes the recent amendment to the Emergency Orders with regard to the use of hotels and their related facilities by the general public.

The purpose of this new Order is to safeguard the use of hotels by all persons and to mitigate any negative impact the Coronavirus may have on this critical component of our tourism sector.

As such, all persons wishing to stay in a hotel in either New Providence or Grand Bahama must be in possession of a RT-PCR test or a Rapid Antigen test, with a negative result, prior to check in.

Since all travellers entering The Bahamas from another country are required to be in possession of a RT PCR test prior to arrival, they will, with the presentation of a valid Bahamas Health Travel Visa, automatically fulfill this requirement.

In addition, since all travellers are required to complete a Rapid Antigen test on the fifth day of their return to The Bahamas, that too, will automatically extend their ability to visit hotels and their related facilities.

For persons wishing to use hotels and their related facilities who have not recently travelled, they must obtain a RT-PCR test OR less expensive Rapid Antigen test to access the property.

However, if access to a hotel’s outdoor facility, such as a restaurant or the beach or a golf course, can be achieved without entering the hotel, no test is required. In these particular instances, observing the usual health protocols (wear a mask, sanitize your hands and keep six feet away from anyone who is not in your party) are expected.

All tests, whether PCR or Rapid Antigen, are valid for seven days until 4 January 2021 and then valid for five days thereafter.

The re-opening of the tourism sector commenced on 1 November 2020. Hotels are opening, airlines are putting in place more airlift, thousands of Bahamians have been called back to work and foreign visitors are beginning to return to The Bahamas.

The Ministry of Tourism and Aviation would like to emphasize, once again, the need for every single Bahamian citizen and resident to do their part to keep community spread of this deadly virus to a minimum. It will be difficult, it will be hard but, for the economic impact of tourism to be felt by as  many Bahamians as possible, it will be necessary.