Special round trip airfares from Ft. Lauderdale on Bahamasair start at $229

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas, July 6th, 2020……The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB) is pleased to announce that the island reopened to international commercial flights on Wednesday, July 1^st, 2020.  This is in keeping with the rest of the country, as indicated by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism following extensive consultations with the Bahamas Ministry of Health.

As a special offer to welcome visitors for the reopening, Grand Bahama Island has partnered with Bahamasair to offer a rate of $229 for a round trip fare from Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport for travel in the month of July.  This rate includes all taxes; tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

For those who prefer to travel by sea, Balearia Caribbean ferries resume operation on July 2, with three sailings weekly and savings of up to 30% on fares.  The Bahama Paradise Cruise Line  (BPCL) makes its first port of call at Freeport on July 26^th.  The first cruise ship to be certified as “green” under the new CDC color-coding system was the Grand Celebration from Bahamas Paradise, indicating approval of the cruise line’s response plan to provide a safe environment for both passengers and crew to work, sail and disembark.  BPCL is offering attractive incentives, including 5 free drinks and a $25 on-board credit, along with a range of special introductory packages, starting with a two- night cruise micro-cation.

The government of The Bahamas took exceptional means to maintain the wellness of the local population by swiftly enacting procedures that contained the infection rate of the COVID-19 virus and kept transmission to a very low level.

The Bahamas Tourism Readiness and Recovery Committee has been working diligently over the past several weeks to facilitate a safe reopening of the country, which is being done in several phases with each step being closely monitored to ensure that all health protocols are followed, to maintain the safety of the public and visitors.

Phase 1 ran from June 15 – 30 and allowed for the entry of boaters, yachters, and private aviation.  Beaches and parks reopened on Monday, June 29^th with a strict maximum of 5 persons per gathering. Any larger groups will result in a fine, and mass gatherings may result in the immediate closure of the respective beach. Restaurants are also open but limited to 50% capacity.

Phase 2 of the Tourism Recovery Plan started on Wednesday, July 1^st.

• International borders reopened for commercial flights
• A full list of hotels that are open is available at http://www.grandbahamavacations.com/news/hotels-resorts-re-opening-grand-bahama-island/
• Taxi/Public Transportation Services have resumed
• Private and public bus services may resume with 50% occupancy
• A curfew remains in place, Monday through Sunday, from 10 PM to 5 AM

Phase 3 starts on July 13^th

• Attractions, excursions, and tours may reopen.

Phase 4 starts on July 27^th

•   Straw vendors and Jet Ski operators may reopen.

 

In order to mitigate any risk of new infections, all health and safety protocols will be strictly enforced.  The health sector remains equipped and ready to respond to any emergency as needed.

All locals and incoming travelers will need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and the use of personal protective equipment in all public areas.  Additionally, effective July 7^th, all incoming visitors must have taken a COVID-19 RT-PCR test no more than 7 days prior to arrival.

Following are the current entry requirements for visitors:

• Negative COVID-19 PCR Test Results
• Upon receipt of your COVID-19 test results, travelers must submit them at https://travel.gov.bs/international in order to receive a Bahamas Travel Health Certificate, which will be issued shortly after the submission of test results
• Valid Passport
• Bahamas Travel Health Certificate

 

Bahamians and residents returning from countries where they cannot obtain COVID-19 tests will be permitted entry. However, they may be required to quarantine for a period of time.

The continued reopening of Grand Bahama Island may be scaled back and adjusted if there is a deterioration of the COVID-19 infection trends, or if it is determined that the protocols and procedures in place are insufficient to move forward with the full opening.

For more information on travel and safety protocols for Grand Bahama Island visit http://www.grandbahamavacations.com/news/bahamas-tourism-readiness-recovery-plan-may-2020/