Can I go on holiday to the Bahamas and will I need to quarantine? Latest coronavirus travel advice
BRIT holidaymakers’ plans have been up in the air as the government continue to make changes to its list of quarantine-free destinations.
After Spain was removed from the list of travel corridors, a further three nations – including the Bahamas – will be subject to restrictions from Saturday (August 8, 2020) due to a spike in Covid-19 infections there.
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The Bahamas has seen a sharp rise in infections in recent weeks[/caption]Is it safe to travel to the Bahamas?
The Bahamas has been added to the 14-day quarantine list after a rise in cases, amid fears of a second wave hitting the UK.
The changes will come into effect from 4am on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
UK officials have removed the Caribbean nation, along with Belgium and Andorra, from the list of safe countries.
The three destinations being removed from the safe list results in another devastating blow for Brits’ summer holiday hopes.
Will I need to quarantine?
People travelling to and from the UK from the Bahamas will be forced to quarantine for two weeks in a bid to curb the spread of the virus.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps tweeted: “Data shows we need to remove Andorra, Belgium and The Bahamas from our list of #coronavirus Travel Corridors in order to keep infection rates DOWN.
“If you arrive in the UK after 0400 Saturday from these destinations, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days.”
People in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who do not follow the rules and self isolate at home could be liable for a fine of up to £1,000.
Brits returning from the Caribbean island will be forced to quarantine for 14-days on their return to the UK[/caption]Those returning to Scotland could be fined £480.
In all nations, fines for persistent offenders could rise up to £5,000.
The quarantine rules mean people are not allowed out to go shopping, for exercise or to perform tasks as walking dogs.
Police have the power to perform spot checks on addresses of people required to self-isolate.
How many coronavirus cases have there been in the Bahamas?
The Bahamas is also largely a winter attraction, with Nassau featuring on many cruise itineraries.
The archipelago has reintroduced lockdown restrictions, including a ban on inter-island travel, and imposed a 14-day quarantine for all arriving airline passengers.
Its weekly rate of Covid-19 cases peaked at 78.6 last week up from 3.1 – or 138 cases – on July 18.
As of August 6, 2020, there are 761 cases of coronavirus in the Bahamas.
A couple wear protective masks and goggles as they prepare to board a flight to the Bahamas from Heathrow Terminal 5[/caption]However, in the last week there have been three new deaths between July 29 and August 6 – with the total number of fatalities now standing at 14.
A government statement said: “Data from the Joint Biosecurity Centre and Public Health England has indicated a significant change in both the level and pace of confirmed cases of coronavirus in all three destinations, leading to ministers removing these from the current list of travel corridors.”
Can I cancel my holiday to the Bahamas?
If you have a package holiday booked to the Bahamas you are likely to be entitled to a full refund when the advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) changes.
But do not cancel it yourself and wait for your holiday provider to get in contact – otherwise you won’t be entitled to compensation.
For hotels and flights booked individually, you will get a refund if the airline cancels the flight, you will be refunded.
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If the flight hasn’t been cancelled by the airline, you will not be automatically entitled to a refund.
If you have travel insurance, check your policy to see what kind of cover you have.
Each hotel will operate its own policy – so contact your accommodation provider as soon as possible.