The Caribbean island will be opening its doors to tourism on July 12 so you can go stay and work remotely from there for a year!
Barbados officials recently announced it would be reopening its borders to international tourism starting on July 12 after having reached the milestone of zero COVID-19 cases. And yes, Barbados officials are planning on letting you in for a year so you can relax and enjoy all the island has to offer while working remotely!
The initiative comes from Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who’s planning to introduce a “12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp” that would allow visitors to stay and work on the island for up to a year. “We want to create an environment that will allow people to come to Barbados to work, to rest, and to play from here for an extended period of time,” said Mottley in a statement.“Because we know that this is one of the best places on earth to be and to remain because of the care we will take to protect the people of this nation and those who are here on the island with us.” I’m 100% with you on that one Prime Minister!
Health and safety continue to be of utmost priority for the Caribbean country and those wishing to visit the island will have to comply to a new travel protocol once flights start again. Here’s what you need to know:
- All those travelers wishing to enter Barbados will have to take a COVID-19 PCR test within one week prior to departure. Those coming from high-risk countries (which currently include the US) will have to take it no more than 72 hours before their flight.
- Travelers will also be required to fill in a new online Embarkation/Disembarkation card (ED Card) with personal health questions relating to COVID-19 symptoms. Once this process is completed they will receive a bar code that will be required upon entry to the island.
- Upon entry to Barbados, travelers will be required to present their bar code and evidence of a negative result of a PCR COVID-19 test to clear immigration.
- Other general public health measures remain in place such as the obligatory use of masks, temperature checks as well as obligatory physical distancing which will be reduced to a 3-foot distance.
For more information, you can read Barbados Tourism Marketing’s official release here.
So I don’t know about you but I’m about to start packing my bags and move to Barbados for the year, I’ll be sitting at the nearest beach under a palm tree, sipping on margaritas!
In other news, Hawaii is now also open to tourism!
[Feature image: Scot Goodhart, Unsplash]