It just got easier to travel to Saint Lucia thanks to the Caribbean country’s new “Seamless Saint Lucia” program that eases COVID-19 related travel requirements.
“As one of the very first destinations to implement a responsible tourism reopening strategy, Saint Lucia has continuously evaluated COVID-19 travel protocols,” said Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, according to Caribbean Journal. “These major changes are good news for visitors and returning nationals as it means a simplified process, greater access to testing, and a significant reduction in cost.”
Travel To Saint Lucia
Here’s why travel to Saint Lucia is now easier.
Its government announced that beginning yesterday, March 5, fully vaccinated visitors over the age of 5 may provide proof of a negative rapid COVID-19 antigen test or rapid COVID-19 PCR test performed within 1 day of travel to enter Saint Lucia. Alternatively, they may use proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test result obtained within 5 days of travel.
Unvaccinated travelers over the age of 5 must have proof of a negative RT- PCR COVID-19 test result performed less than 5 days before arrival in Saint Lucia.
There are, however, two critical stipulations to keep in mind.
First, everyone over the age of 18 who plans to travel to Saint Lucia must register their health information and upload their test results on the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority website prior to travel. That said, their registration does not need to be approved before boarding a flight.
Secondly, rapid antigen tests must be administered by a licensed healthcare provider. Self-administered tests will not be accepted by the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.
You can find all the details for traveling to Saint Lucia here.
Arrival In Saint Lucia
Fully vaccinated visitors do not need to quarantine upon arrival in Saint Lucia.
On the other hand, unvaccinated travelers must be transferred by a government-certified taxi to their pre-approved COVID-19 accommodation. Then, they must remain on that property for the duration of their stay, except to transfer to another COVID-19 certified property to continue their stay, or to participate in government-certified activities, tours, and excursions.
Know Before You Go
The good news for Saint Lucia’s residents and tourists alike is that while a record number – 2,430 – of new COVID cases were reported for the week of January 17 to January 23 this year, that number has since fallen to 135 for the past week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Correspondingly, a record-breaking 722 new cases were reported on January 22, but that number has fallen to 16 new cases reported on March 1.
Nonetheless, if you are planning a trip to Saint Lucia, it’s important to keep in mind that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a “Level 4: Very High Level of COVID-19” advisory for Saint Lucia, which simply states “Avoid travel to Saint Lucia.”
Based on the CDC’s guidance, the U.S. State Department likewise issued a “Level 4” travel advisory for Saint Lucia. That advisory simply states “Do not travel to Saint Lucia due to COVID-19.”
While you’re thinking about the island nation, be sure to read all of our Saint Lucia coverage, including
