Covid update for cruising yachts
by Noonsite 31 Jan 2022 15:09 UTC
Caribbean © Noonsite
In the Atlantic Islands, Cape Verdes only requires testing on arrival, but if you want to travel between islands being fully vaccinated means no further testing is required.
Madeira is allowing vaccinated crew in with no restrictions, and just require an Antigen test prior to arrival if unvaccinated. The Canaries and the Azores remain with the same protocol they have had in place for some time.
In the Caribbean, Antigua is now demanding pre-arrival tests are taken within four days of arrival. Yachts at sea who go beyond the expiration dates of their Covid tests are treated as if they were in quarantine as long as they do not stop anywhere between the port of their departure test and Antigua. The Bahamas has a similar policy, reducing their pre-departure test window from 5 to 3 days, however after an extended passage yachts are exempt from testing as long as they can demonstrate they made the voyage without stops.
Cuba has introduced tighter restrictions due to a sustained increase in cases in the larger Antilles, making a vaccination certificate mandatory for entry. The French Islands still require a declaration of entry at least 24 hours before arrival and all arrivals, vaccinated or not, require pre-arrival testing.
In South America, Ushuaia in southern Argentina has permitted a number of boats to clear into the country with testing on arrival and no issues this month. Ports further north, however, remain closed as is the official policy, so the situation in Ushuaia could change at any moment. Chile remains closed and there are still Chilean residents waiting to return to Puerto Williams from Ushuaia (20NM to the west) who have been stuck since the beginning of the pandemic. Most foreign boats departing for Antarctica this year from Puerto Williams will most likely not be allowed to return to Chile before winter arrives in a few months.
In Africa, a vaccination certificate is now required to enter Kenya and Namibia has joined the African Union Trusted Travel System for the uploading of pre-departure results prior to arrival.
In SE Asia, Indonesia has increased mandatory quarantine on arrival from 10 to 14 days.
Find out what has been going on in the Pacific with latest round-up article.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of noonsite.com.