New Regulations Take Effect in Saint Lucia
(Government of Saint Lucia Press Release) Since the declaration of the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General in January 30, 2020, over 200 countries have been affected by the disease.
To date, there have been over 146 million confirmed cases reported globally with over three million recorded deaths. In the Caribbean Region, 708, 459 confirmed cases in 35 countries/territories (including the 26 CARPHA Member States) have been recorded. With continued international spread of the disease and the detection of the new variant of SARS- CoV-2, the risk of further cases occurring in the Caribbean region remains very high.
Due to the sustained transmission of COVID-19 in many countries, the Department of Health and Wellness meticulously monitors COVID-19 trends globally and continues to update the national policy accordingly.
In keeping with the OECS Recommendations on the Reopening of Borders, the Government of Saint Lucia implements the following:
-All incoming passengers (including persons from the Caribbean bubble) should present with a negative COVID-19 PCR test 5 days prior to travel.
– All non-national arriving passengers from destinations outside the ‘bubble’ will be allocated at a COVID-19 approved accommodation site.
– All arriving passengers from destinations within the ‘bubble’ will be exempt from the 14 days of quarantine if presenting with a negative COVID-19 PCR test 5 days prior to travel.
– All arriving passengers from within the ‘bubble’ must have travelled directly (been in-transit for less than 24 hours) from a country within the bubble and have been in that country for at least 21 days.
– All arriving passengers from within the ‘bubble’ who have been in-transit in a country outside of the ‘bubble’ will be subjected to 14 days of quarantine.
– All returning nationals from destinations outside the “bubble’ will be subject to 14 days of quarantine.
As of May 03, 2021, the following countries/territories form a part of the Caribbean Bubble:- Anguilla- Antigua and Barbuda- Barbados- British Virgin Islands- Cayman Islands- Dominica- Grenada- Montserrat- Saint Kitts and Nevis- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines- Turks and Caicos Islands.
Effective May 03, 2021, ALL persons from outside of this updated ‘Caribbean Bubble’ will be required to present with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result 5 days prior to travel AND complete a mandatory 14 days of quarantine.
Source: CARICOM TODAY