Embassy of the Commonwealth of
The Bahamas
Havana, Cuba

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3.. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BAHAMIANS TRAVELING TO CUBA DURING COVID 19 SITUATION OR INVITING CUBAN RESIDENTS TO TRAVEL TO BAHAMAS

THE INFORMATION BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE AT ANY TIME BY THE CUBAN OR BAHAMIAN HEALTH AUTHORITIES ACCORDING TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES. PLEASE, STAY INFORMED THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT’S OFFICIAL WEBSITES

FOR ALL PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO BAHAMAS

NASSAU, Bahamas, 4 January 2022 –

The Bahamas has suspended the mandatory RT-PCR testing requirement for vaccinated travellers, which was expected to take effect on 7 January 2022. Vaccinated persons, as well as children ages 2-11, may continue to present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or negative RT-PCR Test.

In addition, effective 4 January 2022, all persons remaining in The Bahamas for longer than 48 hours will be required to undergo a Rapid Antigen Test, regardless of vaccination status.

Details of the protocol changes are as follows:

  • All those travelling to The Bahamas from other countries, whether fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, will be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days (72 hours) prior to the date of arrival in The Bahamas.
  • Vaccinated travellers and all children between the ages of 2- 11, can present either a negative Rapid Antigen Test or RT-PCR Test.
  • All unvaccinated travellers, ages 12 and older, must present a negative RT-PCR Test (acceptable tests include NAAT, PCR, RNA, RT-PCR and TMA).
  • All children under the age of two are exempt from any testing requirements.
  • 48 Hour COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test: Effective 4 January 2022, a Rapid Antigen Test will be required for all travellers staying in The Bahamas longer than 48 hours (two (2) nights), regardless of vaccination status.
  • Visitors departing on or before 48 hours will not be required to obtain this test.
  • This test replaces the existing Day-5 Rapid Antigen Test.
  • An island-by-island list of approved testing sites is available at https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates

Click here to go to the BTHV page and start applying.

Passengers who may optionally submit an Antigen Test or PCR-RT are only those who are immunized with the following vaccines: JANSSEN (JOHNSON & JOHNSON), ASTRAZENECA (VAXZEVRIA / COVISHIELD), MODERNA, PFIZER BIONTECH (COMIRNATY), SINOPHARM / BIBP, SINOVAC, COVAXIN. Other vaccines ARE NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE BAHAMIAN HEALTH AUTHORITIES, therefore, those passengers under those conditions (that are not vaccinated with the above options) must apply for the BTHV as if they were NOT VACCINATED and follow the steps enabled for that option.

In the case of Cubans: The BTHV does not guarantee a permit to travel to The Bahamas by itself. Travel Medical Insurance documents DO NOT COVER the cost of PCR or Rapid tests.

It will be necessary for the passenger to show this document during the airport check (in Havana and The Bahamas) along with your electronic visa for entry to The Bahamas and the rest of your travel documents.

The official Bahamian web for Covid 19 protocols where information is accurate are the following: https://travel.gov.bs/ and https://www.bahamas.com/travelupdates. Please, check the web for the last updates.

FOR BAHAMIANS TRAVELING TO CUBA (IT APPLIES TO PASSENGERS IN GENERAL)

These protocols entered into force on April 6th, 2022.

Cuba will stop requiring PCR tests and proof of a complete Covid-19 vaccination scheme for international travelers arriving in the country. According to the Cuban Ministry of Health, these measures were adopted after taking into account the high immunization rate in the country, where three doses and a booster have been administered to a large part of the population.

PCR tests will continue being carried out randomly at airports, mainly to passengers coming from countries with a high incidence of the disease.

If the person tests positive for Covid-19, he/she will be admitted as established in the protocol of the Public Health Ministry. The person positive to Covid-19 will be isolated in a medical institution, hotel or a private house according to the gravity of the symptoms and the patient´s conditions and circumstances.

At all points of entry into the country, the measures taken by healthcare authorities, such as physical distancing, washing of hands and surfaces, and the mandatory use of face masks, will be maintained.

The official Cuban web for Covid 19 protocols where information is accurate is the following: https://www.mintur.gob.cu/protocolos/ and https://salud.msp.gob.cu. Please, check the web for the last updates.

CLINICS THAT TEST FOREIGNERS AND NON-RESIDENT CUBANS FOR COVID 19 (PCR)

  • SIBONEY CLINIC (THIS CLINIC ALSO PERFORMS RAPID ANTIGEN TEST)

Address: 200 St. #20005 /17 & 19, Siboney, Playa (for COVID test, go through the Emergency entrance in 17 St, the one with the green canopy)

Phone: (+53)7 272 0221, 7 271 3497.

Website: https://instituciones.sld.cu/cis/

Time for COVID 19 test: 8:00am – 12:00 m from Monday to Friday. In case that the test has to be taken on weekend the passenger has to book it at the following number: 7 271 1123. The test should be taken 72h before traveling (minimum)

Picking up the result: in 72 hours at any time from Monday to Sunday (the results could be ready before those 72 hours)

  • INTERNATIONAL CLINIC CAMILO CIENFUEGOS (CURRENTLY THIS CLINIC DOES NOT PERFORM RAPID ANTIGEN TEST).

Address: L St. #151 /Linea & 13 Vedado

Phone: (+53)7 833 3539, 7 832 5555, 7 832 3507

Website: https://www.cicc.cu/

Time for COVID 19 test: 8:00 am - 6.00 pm, 7 days a week. The test has to be taken 72h before traveling (minimum)/

Picking up the result: from 24 to 72 hours from Monday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm

THE PCR TEST COSTS IS $30.00 USD, PAID THROUGH ONLINE GATEWAY AT THE CLINICS, USING CREDIT OR DEBIT CARDS. A PROCESSING FEE MIGHT BE CHARGED FOR INTERNATIONAL CARD TRANSACTIONS.

LABORATORY THAT PROCESSES PCR SAMPLES IN HAVANA (this information is requested during the completion of the online Health Visa form).

  • Instituto de Medicina Tropical Pedro Kouri

Address: Novia del Mediodia Ave, km 6 1/2, La Lisa. Havana, Cuba. Postal Code: 17100

Phone: (+53) 7 280 7451

RAPID ANTIGEN TEST AT THE AIRPORT FACILITIES

  • Havana's José Martí International Airport at Terminal No. 3 offers the antigen test service for those passengers flying to countries where such test is admitted.
  • The test has a cost of 25.00 USD to be paid by credit card or transfer by gateway.

FOR CUBANS TRAVELING TO BAHAMAS

AVAILABLE CLINICS WHERE CUBANS RESIDENTS CAN TAKE THEIR PCR TEST ACCORDING TO THEIR MUNICIPALITY OF RESIDENCE

From January 19, 2022, the following centers will be enabled for this purpose:

Playa ----------------------------- Primero de Enero Clinic. (29 St, between 26 y 30)

Plaza de la Revolución--------Rampa Clinic. Municipal Lab of Microbiology . (Calle 17, entre J e I)

Centro Habana----------------- Van Troi Clinic. (Carlos III corner to Hospital St)

La Habana Vieja--------------- A. Guiteras Clinic. (Zulueta, between Dragones and Teniente Rey St)

Regla----------------------------- Lidia and Clodomira Clinic. (Rotaria, between Enlace and Ciruela St)

La Habana del Este------------ Mario Escalona Clinic. (Micro A, Zone 5, Alamar)

Guanabacoa-------------------- Municipal Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology (Crespo No. 59, between Estrada Palma and Soledad)

San Miguel del Padrón ------- Municipal Unit of Hygiene and Epidemiology. (Vía Blanca, between Primero de junio and Cowle St)

Diez de Octubre-------------- Pasteur Clinic. Microbiology Municipal Lab (Santa Catalina between Heredia and Poey St)

Cerro--------------------------- Abel Santamaría Clinic. Microbiology Municipal Lab. (Calzada del Cerro, between Omoa and Fernandina St)

Marianao -------------------- Municipal Unit of Hygiene and Epidemiology. (116 St, between 45 and 47)

La Lisa------------------------ Pulido Humaran Clinic. (51 and 350 St. Arroyo Arenas)

Boyeros---------------------- Municipal Unit of Hygiene and Epidemiology. (202 St No. 23504, between 235 and 239)

Arroyo Naranjo------------- SUMA Lab. (Gran St, between Gómez and Aranguren)

Cotorro ---------------------Municipal Unit of Hygiene and Epidemiology. (12 St, between 5ta and 7ma. Paraíso)

The sampling and results delivery process was organized as follows:

Sampling will be carried out every day from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and the certificates will be delivered from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

For Cuban citizens residing in other provinces of the country and who are in Havana, for their departure through the José Martí International Airport, the sample will be taken according to the municipality where they are residing before their departure abroad.

The PCR-TR sample will be taken 72 hours before the flight and the antigen test 24 hours before, being evaluated according to the requirements of each country.

The authority that settles the PCR’s maximum days test before traveling is the country of destination.

  • UNVACCINATED PASSENGERS TRAVELING TO CUBA (INCLUDING CUBANS): In this case, the Cuban Government demands a PCR taken in a certified lab, 3 days before traveling. The cost of a PCR in The Bahamas ranges between 120.00-130.00 USD. Travel Medical Insurance does not cover this expense. Be sure to have a PCR test for traveling to Cuba if needed. Rapid tests are not accepted by Cuban Health Authorities, the airline will not allow you to take the flight if so.
  • In the case of passengers traveling to The Bahamas, the Bahamian authorities demand a PCR taken within 3 days before traveling (or a Rapid Antigen test for those vaccinated with the approved vaccines) along with the online application, payment, health visa and insurance documents in pdf format. No authority will stop you leaving the airport in Cuba based on the dates of your PCR. Only the airline, Embassy and official websites of the country of destination can control and advise about the country of destination´s health requirements. Please, in order to avoid delays, take your PCR as soon as you can (maximum 3 days before traveling) in compliance with the regulations of the country of destination, and check that the dates in your PCR invoice match with the real ones.

Last update: 07/01/2022