Fully vaccinated travelers from all countries can now enjoy increased freedom and movement around the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
With proof of full vaccination (meaning, for example, two weeks after a second Moderna or Pfizer shot or single Johnson & Johnson vaccine), visitors are given a wristband at the airport and are able to immediately move about freely on the island: exploring on their own with a rental car, visiting local markets and supermarkets, and eating at any restaurants.
Unvaccinated travelers to St. Lucia will need to continue to adhere to a mandatory 14-day stay at “COVID-19 certified” accommodations — those that have been determined to adhere to all key health safety protocols. Unvaccinated travelers can leave the villa or hotel property only to eat at COVID-certified restaurants and take COVID-certified excursions and tours.
Americans can prove their vaccination status using their original vaccination cards issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visitors from the United Kingdom can show their vaccination status via the National Health Service app.
Unvaccinated minors traveling with vaccinated adults will need to take a PCR (nasal swab) test within a day of arriving on the island. This is at the visitor’s expense. Once the test comes back negative, unvaccinated minors can travel with their vaccinated adult guardians freely.
Many COVID-19 Protocols Still In Place
All visitors to St. Lucia over the age of five — vaccinated or not — must show a negative PCR test at least five days prior to arriving on the island.
All visitors — vaccinated or not — must still be transported from the airport to their accommodations via a COVID-certified taxi, and those accommodations must be at a COVID-certified hotel or villa.
Health screenings, such as temperature checks, will take place at the airport for all incoming travelers. Local safety protocols must be observed, including wearing face coverings in public places.
And all visitors aged 18 and up must fill out a health registration form before arrival. Those forms differ based on country of origin.
Rules Tighten Elsewhere In Caribbean
While St. Lucia still allows unvaccinated visitors to enter the country, as of May 29, St. Kitts and Nevis is now only allowing those who are vaccinated to enter its borders, due to an uptick in positive cases.
St. Lucia has seen 5,072 positive COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began, with 80 confirmed deaths.
All details on the current policies and procedures in St. Lucia, plus a number of helpful FAQs regarding eased restrictions for vaccinated travelers, can be found on the St. Lucia Tourism Authority website.