A TRAVELLER who fails to undergo a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on the fifth day of their stay in the country will be liable to a $1,000 fine or one month in prison.
The punishment is detailed in a new emergency order issued yesterday.
Under travel rules which came into effect on Sunday, the government scrapped plans for travellers to take an antigen test on arrival in the country. However, those staying longer than five days, including residents, must take the antigen test on day five.
The latest emergency order also states any person who has entered the country and is out to sea on the fifth day of his/her trip must take the rapid antigen test at the first port of call.
If a traveller’s antigen test is positive, that person will be required to take a COVID-19 RT PCR test and submit to mandatory quarantine until a result comes back. If the molecular test comes back with a positive result, then the traveler must quarantine for 14 days, or the duration of their stay, the order stipulates.
The order also states that a traveller who experiences symptoms within 14 days of entry into the country must also take a rapid antigen test. If a positive result is returned, the symptomatic person will also have to take a PCR test.
The order also upholds previous guidelines which dictate that any person travelling from New Providence to another island must be quarantined for 14 days, or the duration of their stay if shorter. However, this provision will expire this coming Sunday.
Anyone traveling to the country and transiting through New Providence to a Family Island will not have to quarantine.
Comments
Clamshell 3 years, 6 months ago
Tell me, please: Where would a tourist go to get an antigen test on a Sunday on Eleuthera or Long Island if that’s their 5th day? And on the 6th day, they go to prison? Welcome to the Bahamas! Enjoy your stay! Even if it’s in jail!
The_Oracle 3 years, 6 months ago
Or the Clinic/Medical facility is booked up/overwhelmed, or ran out of test kits, or was itself closed, or any number of other ways our Government screws these situations up. And what if I source my own rapid Antigen test kit(s)? Can I self administer and report the result? Why don't they supply/give the test kit upon entry to the country, and follow up for the administering and result on the 5th day? I mean, they have all of those kits at the ports of entry already........................
Clamshell 3 years, 6 months ago
... clinics on Eleuthera have been known to run out of aspirin. As for anybody being there on a Sunday ... good luck.
lovingbahamas 3 years, 6 months ago
I thought our trusty Minister of Tourism said there would be a “small fine” if you missed the 5 day test $1,000 must be a pittance in his book. These new rules are going to be an absolute disaster. If American Airlines can’t figure out how to do this at Miami Airport, I am sure our trusty government, that failed the Abacos after Dorian, doesn’t have a chance. I predict we’ll see more changes before Nov 14. And cruise ships? Maybe Feb or March.
birdiestrachan 3 years, 6 months ago
They will do well to stay home.. paying $1000 or one month in an over crowed jail makes no sense.
Bigrocks 3 years, 6 months ago
Well, 10 days ago, spouse had a cv-19 test at the south beach clinic. Was told 2-3 days for results. Well still no reply. After many phone calls to the clinic and other government agencies to find out any info, was told they do not know and they are sure the results will be called to us soon. So, I guess you go to jail because they cannot deliver the results nor have any info.
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