TRAVELLING TO BARBADOS IN COVID TIMES
Travel is so different now, but it is possible and here is a report from my Son and his Girlfriend who are currently in Barbados - about exactly what it's like to travel to this beautiful Caribbean Island.
THE 1st COVID TEST – PRIOR TO TRAVEL
As per the Barbados protocols we were required to have negative Covid-PCR test results taken within 3 days of travelling. This test must be done at an accredited clinic. Our first test was on Friday 23Oct at Medwyn Occupational Health clinic in Dorking and cost £125pp. This is by far the cheapest clinic offering I could find and feel pretty confident this is one of the best options for the Surrey area. https://medwynoh.co.uk/pcr-swab/
Results are returned within 48hrs but we were warned that some had been returned later than that, although so far no one had missed their flights due to late results. Our results were returned early afternoon the next day - in the form of a cover letter/fit to fly doctors’ certificate and lab results. It is the LAB RESULTS they are interested in - not so much the certificate - as they need to see the date the sample was taken. AT THE AIRPORT/FLIGHT
We flew from Gatwick with BA and were required to show our lab results at check-in (failure to produce the appropriate report will result in refusal of boarding.) The Airport was very quiet, and we went through security quickly, and shops were open. Boarding was apx 45mins before take-off and done in groups – first class, followed by the back of the plane passengers, working forward. The plane was 25% full and we were able to move seats after take-off. However, everyone is required to wear a mask at all times - except when eating and drinking - but it was a pleasant flight with no health/safety concerns.
ARRIVING AT GRANTLEY ADAMS AIRPORT, BARBADOS
Disembarkation was gradual and we were required to stay in our seat until called, which does take a little longer than normal. On leaving the plane - and before entering the airport - there were signs indicating which way we needed to go if we did/did not, have a Covid tests result. Joining the appropriate queue, once our results were ‘validated’ we went into the Airport, where we had to write our details and sign a waiver to say that we understood the quarantine rules.
We were then given a wristband showing where we were staying and another wristband indicating our risk category. (Red is high risk for UK.) We had already completed our Customs immigrations forms on-line (but these can also be done at one of the kiosks). https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020
After Passport Control, we joined the final health check queue. We were asked if we had booked our second test, and we explained we were planning on getting a free test at a polyclinic. We were then given sheets to record our temperatures twice a day (remember to take a thermometer with you) and informed we had to WhatsApp a picture of our temperatures to the Ministry of Health once a day. After baggage collection we were directed out of the airport to our taxi straight to the hotel.
THE 2nd COVID TEST - IN BARBADOS
We are restricted in Barbados until we have had a second negative test, but in the meantime, we can use all our hotel facilities including the pool, but as all beaches in Barbados are public, this is out of bounds for the time being. There does seem to be some conflicting information and experiences on the second test. Our hotel receptionist told us she was unable to help us book the free test but would be able to organize the private test at a cost of USD $200pp (apx £155pp). We had been told that the Ministry of Health would contact us with a test appointment, but we didn’t hear from anyone for over 24hrs. We tried to call the testing hotline, as per option 1 of the protocol guidelines, several times but no answer. In the end we called clinics direct and managed to book at the Edgar Cochrane Polyclinic.
The hotel organized a taxi which took us to the clinic, and then waited to take us back to the hotel again. The taxi cost $100 Barbados (apx £38), and we were in the clinic for 45mins-1hr. Our second test came back negative the next day.
GENERAL ADVICE
- Be as flexible as possible and try not to have too rigid a plan. It’s helpful to know/understand all options available to you. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelbb/ This is a helpful Facebook group, but again, take others’ experiences with a pinch of salt, as everyone seems to have different experiences and guests seem to be told different info depending on who they speak to.
Barbados protocols are updated regularly. https://www.visitbarbados.org/covid-19-travel-guidelines-2020