The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

Another airline yesterday announced it was working with the Government to implement pre-flight COVID-19 testing for all passengers travelling to The Bahamas.

Tropic Ocean Airways, in a release sent to Tribune Business, said: “Tropic Ocean Airways, an amphibious airline providing luxury air travel servicing South Florida, The Bahamas and greater Caribbean, is working with the Bahamian government to offer pre-flight COVID-19 antigen testing at its Fort Lauderdale International Sheltair facility and the Miami Seaplane Base to locations in The Bahamas.

“In addition to offering Immigration pre-clearance, through its partnership with Bahamas pre-clearance, this will help facilitate direct travel to all islands of The Bahamas, reducing additional touch points and possible congestion at ports of entry, and removing the logistical challenges of testing upon arrival.”

Tropic Ocean Airways thus becomes the second carrier, after American Airlines, to confirm it is working on a pre-flight testing solution for all passengers it will bring to The Bahamas. It will seemingly dovetail well with the Ministry of Tourism's plan to replace the 14-day visitor quarantine with increased COVID-19 testing.

The airline added: “Travellers to The Bahamas are required to provide a negative test result using a COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test no more than seven days prior to travel, a Bahamas Health Travel Visa and to receive an antigen test.

"This is all part of their commitment to welcome visitors and residents back safely. One of Tropic Ocean Airways’ testing partners, Genome LLC, has offered to offset costs to travellers by providing a package deal including the COVID-19 RT-PCR swab test and Ag Antigen test. The Ag Antigen test kits have the required 95 percent specificity and sensitivity.”

“Further, the Government of The Bahamas recently announced that the 14-day mandatory 'vacation in place' quarantine will expire on October 31," Tropic Ocean Airways added. "Thereafter, visitors and residents alike will be able to move about and explore the destination at their leisure and discretion.

"Tropic Ocean Airlines stands firm as a partner with The Bahamas to bring visitors and residents back to the country in a safe and efficient manner, and to facilitate arrivals across the archipelago to have an immediate impact on tourism.”

“To help the re-opening, Tropic Ocean Airways will offer pre-testing capabilities at cost to its guests, and will offer the service to other carriers at its Fort Lauderdale International facility."