New protocols in place for fully vaccinated arrivals

Persons arriving in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are now being given an option that will allow them to bypass having to quarantine in an approved quarantine hotel.

According to the new protocol for the entry of travellers to SVG, published yesterday, June 10, 2021, travellers who arrive with evidence that their last dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine was at least two weeks prior, may apply for permission to quarantine for 48 hours at a private residence.

This application must be made at least two weeks prior to arriving in SVG and will only be granted if the residence is empty, or if all of the occupants of the residence are fully vaccinated (verified by the MOHWE) and shall quarantine for the 48-hour period along with the traveller(s).

The COVID-19 vaccine must be one that is recognised by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment which is the National Regulatory Authority.

The protocol relating to fully vaccinated travellers says these arrivals shall:

i. Present with evidence of full vaccination issued by a competent authority with the required information.

ii. Must arrive with a negative result of a COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test done no more than 72 hours before arrival.

iii. Must be retested on arrival in SVG.

iv. MUST Mandatory quarantine for forty-eight (48) hours in a Tourism Authority/MOHWE approved Transition/Quarantine Hotel at their cost to await the result of the entry screening before discharge from quarantine or
v. May apply two (2) weeks prior to arrival in SVG for permission to quarantine for forty-eight (48) hours at a private residence if: 1. The residence is empty (verified by the MOHWE) or 2. All of the occupants of the residence are fully vaccinated (verified by the MOHWE) and shall quarantine for the forty-eight (48) hour period along with the traveller(s).

Unvaccinated travellers from ‘very high risk’, ‘high risk’ and ‘medium risk’ countries, are still required to quarantine for a mandatory period in a a Tourism Authority/MOHWE approved Transition/Quarantine Hotel at their cost for periods ranging from 21 days (very high risk countries) to 7 days (medium risk countries) depending on the risk associated with the country the person was last present in for at least 21 days.

Arrivals from Anguilla, Dominica, Grenada and Montserrat, which are deemed ‘low risk’ countries may be tested on arrival in SVG and will not be required to quarantine if there is no evidence of onboard vessel exposure and they are not in a high-risk occupation.