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New Bahamas Rules Nov 1

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by olderboater, Nov 1, 2020.

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  1. NYCAP123, Mar 10, 2021
    #41
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Since vaccines are now becoming available you should check what their protocols are for those who have been vaccinated
  2. Pascal, Mar 10, 2021
    #42
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    No Change for those vaccinated.
  3. NYCAP123, Mar 10, 2021
    #43
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Keep checking IF you intend to get vaccinated as you're given a card from the CDC verifying your vaccinations and I suspect the Bahamas (and other places) will soon change their policies which could save you a lot of time, hassles and money.
  4. rtrafford, Mar 10, 2021
    #44
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Thank you. My general perspective is that the rules are easy to follow subject to avoiding Freeport and Nassau. I get your need to be there, and good to know there's a solid solution should we need to do hit the spots for one reason or another. This type of information is so useful...thank you...
  5. rtrafford, Mar 10, 2021
    #45
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    At Chub they needed to have copies in their possession, or were the originals returned to you? Not clear...
  6. Pascal, Mar 10, 2021
    #46
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Well I don’t intend to get the shots but apparently authorities are reluctant to replace testing with proof of vaccine fearing that while the vaccine prevent illness it doesn’t necessarily prevent someone from being infected and contagious. Not sure if it is true and frankly I don’t care

    you can still come in to Nassau to fuel, provision etc as long as you only stay less than 24 hours.

    like everything here it s better to be prepared. So i tell everyone to print two copies of the test and the visa, just in case. Just like some customs offices require two copies of the paper work... some don’t. But better have it.

    rules and procedure keep changing... until now they wanted us to pay all the charter license fees before doing the inspection. This year they wanted to do the inspection first...

    Then when immigration came to the boat, they insisted I pay $50 fee. It s illegal as the $300 fee includes everything. Not worth arguing ...

    and then when our agent paid the fees for the charter license, they said we had to return the cruising permit and issued a transire instead...

    Go figure...
    f3504x4ps likes this.
  7. olderboater, Mar 10, 2021
    #47
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    As Pascal points out when traveling anywhere always best to be totally prepared. Have multiple copies of everything. Be prepared to give as many as necessary. Prepared for fees, real or imaginary. Prepared that two agents may interpret things differently but just to go with the flow unless serious. Pascal could have argued the $50 for days but recognized it wasn't worth it.

    As he points out, while the vaccine protects you at a high level, we don't yet know how well it protects others and if you could still be a carrier. We think it reduces the odds but to what degree? Especially with all the variants.

    I'm still very impressed with how well the Bahamas is handling it all and how well their people are. You don't see all the fighting and battling and whining and debating you see in the US. You see it all handled with an amazing level of professionalism and grace.

    The Ministry of Tourism has implemented a "Clean and Pristine Health Certification". It's their plan for safely reopening and in place at many resorts and marinas. Again, not perfect, but well thought out. Just an example of doing things to the best of abilities and finding solutions. While our trips here are not like before, they're certainly very enjoyable. We're made to feel welcome and appreciated and we're having great experiences.
  8. rtrafford, Mar 10, 2021
    #48
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    One of the islands on the float plan don't want me if I've been on either island. I suppose it makes sense that the islands can do their best to manage their own situations. So we just plan to avoid the big population centers, period.
  9. Pascal, Mar 10, 2021
    #49
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I have to say I am impressed with their technology. The Heath visa website works very well and is user friendly. Whenever you do the 5 day test, the provider uses an app which scan the bar code on your health visa (on paper or on your phone). Once the test shows negative, he or she enters it in the app and within seconds you get an email confirming the result. Well done.

    the new payment system for cruising permit works pretty well too although there are two website. One from the Bahamas Marina site where you enter the info and pay and the other is the customs Click2Clear site where you enter the data, pay and print the cruising permit to present customs upon arrival.

    Click2Clear appears to be easier. I used the other one which confused the customs inspector

    bottom line... make sure you are a printer (and enough ink) on board :)

    as to the no infighting.. I m not so sure. Most Bahamians I ve talked with seem to be very upset with the closings and all the restrictions. People are actually hungry and some are begging for food. Never seen in the Bahamas. The appearance of calmness is just that. An appearance
  10. olderboater, Mar 10, 2021
    #50
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I can't imagine traveling to other areas and not having a printer/scanner.

    Upset, like all of us. But accepting and complying. No doubt there's hunger. Hunger in the US has reached very high levels and hopefully the current bill will aid. The Bahamas are certainly hurt financially as is most of the world. I wouldn't use the word "calmness" as I don't think they are, more like acceptance and compliance. Whether through fear of fines or just following rules, mask wearing is at a higher level than Florida.

    We're headed to the Abacos next and anxious to see what is going on in terms of trying to rebuild during the pandemic.
  11. olderboater, Mar 10, 2021
    #51
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I am too. Not complex, but still right on top of it. Our CIO, who is with us on this trip, commented the State of Florida should hire them to fix their unemployment system.
  12. Gulfer, Mar 12, 2021
    #52
    Gulfer

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    If someone is dropping off a boat, and flying back to the states the same day. Do they need a health visa?
  13. Pascal, Mar 12, 2021
    #53
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    You need a PCR (less than 5 days) and the health visa to come in the Bahamas regardless of how long stay. Only exception is for commercial flight crews.

    And you need a rapid test to fly back to the states
  14. Gulfer, Mar 12, 2021
    #54
    Gulfer

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    Sigh... That's what I thought.
  15. Gulfer, Mar 12, 2021
    #55
    Gulfer

    Gulfer Member

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    OK, this is a another stupid question. The Bahamas website says 'COVID-19 RT-PCR" The last few trips we've got the lab based PCR test. But, the turn around is 24 to 48 hours. Is the lab based test required? Or is the Rapid Test PCR test work
  16. Pascal, Mar 12, 2021
    #56
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The rapid test is NOT the same as PCR/RT-PCR which is required. To travel Into The Bahamas you need a PCR test.

    the rapid test is what is used if you stay more than 5 days and for returning to the US

    note that while the PCR is usually a nasal swab, some labs now do Oral swab. Painless. Curative has testing centers everywhere and use oral. Result in 24/36 hours.
  17. Gulfer, Mar 12, 2021
    #57
    Gulfer

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    Thanks Pascal. Yep. That's what I've been doing the last 3 trips. I was just hoping I've been doing it the hard way. Apparently, I haven't. It's crazy. One place here charges $120 a test, another $250.
  18. olderboater, Mar 12, 2021
    #58
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Curative is also getting into administering vaccines in certain parts of the country.
  19. Gulfer, Mar 31, 2021
    #59
    Gulfer

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    Just got back from the Bahamas, we got our Rapid Test on 3/27/21. I asked the nurse if there is any talk about not requiring Testing if you've been vaccinated. She said, they just passed something 2 weeks ago. However, I find no reference on the internet. She could be mistaken.. Curious if anyone has heard any news.

    p.s. I got my 2nd shot on Moderna. Wow, it kicked my ass for about 24 hours. Feel great today.
  20. Pascal, Apr 1, 2021
    #60
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Update. Traveling out of Eleuthera (incl HI) to other islands now requires a PCR test within 5 days and a follow up rapid test 5 days after leaving.

    No PCR, no domestic travel visa.

    Unlike GB and NP, there doesn’t seem to be a 24 hours grace period You land in Eleuthera, you need a PCR to head out to other islands.
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