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Traveling to Grenada during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go
CNN staff • Updated 29th December 2021
Editor's Note — Coronavirus cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials caution that staying home is the best way to stem transmission until you're fully vaccinated. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on December 29.
(CNN) — If you're planning to travel to Grenada, here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grenada has been in a state of emergency since March 25, 2020 and while restrictions have since been eased, the order has been extended to May 2022.
From July 31, all visitors to the island must have been fully vaccinated at least two weeks before their arrival. Grenadian citizens and children aged under 13 are exempt.
The Spice Island is the perfect introduction to the Caribbean. It has beaches to rival every other island in the region, as well as lush rainforest that's ripe for exploration when not kicking back by the pool, sipping on local rum.
Who can go
Fully vaccinated travelers are allowed to enter Grenada provided they produce proof of vaccination, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival, and fill out a Health Declaration Form. The previous 48-hour quarantine requirement has been removed.
At present, all visitors must submit a PCR test, taken within 72 hours of their arrival, present proof of being fully vaccinated, and complete an online health declaration in order to enter Grenada.
As of December 7, travelers are required to take a second PCR test, which is free for those who are fully vaccinated, on arrival.
On November 26, the government announced that entry will not be permitted for any travelers who have visited South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini in the past 14 days due to the emergence of the new Omicron variant.
What's the Covid situation?
While Grenada had fared much better than most countries, the situation on the island has worsened over the past few months. In August, 297 cases were reported, a record high for the country at the time. Grenada recorded its second Covid-19 related death on August 30, six months after its first, which occurred on January 3. Unfortunately the death toll has risen significantly since then, with 139 Covid-19 related fatalities reported in September. There were a record 4,734 cases in the same month. As of December 29, the country has recorded a total of 5,968 cases and 200 deaths.
Grenada has previously received 45,600 Covid-19 vaccines under the Covid-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, a global initiative aimed at sharing coronavirus vaccines.
Prime minister Keith Mitchell received the first vaccine dose to be administered in Grenada back in February 2021. Just over 35,000 people on the island have been fully vaccinated since then, including 70% of the island's hotel workers.
In June, health authorities launched a scheme in which residents were automatically entered into a lottery draw, which took place at the end of the month, for a prize of EC$10,000 (around $3,700) once they'd been vaccinated.
In December 2021, a further 69,030 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which were donated by the US, were successfully delivered to Grenada.
What can visitors expect?
While the island once provided a perfect break from the stresses of the pandemic, the country's recent wave of Covid-19 cases has led to many new restrictions being brought in.
Social distancing is mandatory once again, while face masks must be worn in all public spaces.
Only fully vaccinated customers are permitted to dine at restaurants and spectators are banned from attending sporting activities. However, restrictions on beach and river visits have been dropped, while a 12 a.m. to to 4 a.m. curfew has also been removed.
Pure Grenada
Covid19.gov.gd
Ministry of Health Facebook page
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Want to learn more about the Spice Isle? Here's a quick introduction to Grenada, or get inspiration for a chocolate-flavored trip here. Silversands also made it into our list of top Caribbean hotels.
Joe Minihane, Julia Buckley and Tamara Hardingham-Gill contributed to this report