With more countries reopening for international travel, more people getting vaccinated, and more people longing to vacation again, tourism numbers have significantly risen since the beginning of the pandemic. While I understand the intense desire to travel after a VERY long and VERY frustrating 2020, it's important that we all commit to traveling responsibly. This means knowing and following all local COVID protocols, getting your vaccination if it is available, wearing your mask if you are unvaccinated, social distancing where possible, and most importantly, staying home if you have any symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
Here's what to expect when planning a trip to St. Lucia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before Your Trip
St. Lucia requires EVERY traveler to show proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 5 days before arrival. It is important to note that they only accept PCR results, which means no antigen or antibody tests. PCR tests are available all over the US, typically at no cost to you. You can find them at official COVID testing sites, many urgent care/medical facilities, and large chain drugstores near you. My family members made appointments at CVS for their PCR tests. It is available for free, is self-administered via the drive-thru, and people typically receive their results in 24-48 hours. Because I was really nervous about receiving my results in time (we were flying during the 4th of July weekend which is typically busy), I opted for the rapid RT-PCR test available at Baycare Medical Center. This cost me $150 out of pocket but I received my results in about 1 hour. My family did end up getting their results on time so the rapid test is not necessary. However, for me, paying the $150 was definitely worth it for my peace of mind.
All travelers 18 years or older are also required to complete an online Travel Authorization Form. Approval is based on verified reservations at a COVID certified accommodation and proof of a negative COVID test result. It is recommended to submit this form as early as possible and then update it with your COVID results once you receive them. You should receive your approval email 24-48 hours after you upload your COVID results.
Speaking of COVID certified accommodations, there is a list of approved accommodations in which all international visitors are required to book their stay. International travelers can stay at up to 3 certified accommodations during their stay on the island. I recommend booking a hotel that you really love because unvaccinated travelers will only be able to leave the property to participate in a specific set of COVID-certified activities and restaurants. Vaccinated travelers have full, unrestricted access across the island, including to any stores, restaurants, and activities of their choice.
The last form required for entry is a health screening form which should be completed the day of travel. Print this form, your travel authorization approval, and your COVID test results to bring with you to the airport. Make sure to also grab your passport and vaccination card! All of the above information, any changes/updates, and general FAQs can be found on the official St. Lucia website. This site was truly my best friend while planning!
Arriving in St. Lucia
I could not do online check-in when flying out of the Tampa airport because the workers had to check my travel authorization and COVID documents. Please keep this in mind and give yourself enough time so that you don't miss your flight. Of course, onboard the airplane, masks are required. Once you land, St. Lucia is really good about enforcing its COVID procedures to ensure all visitors and locals remain safe. This started from the moment we arrived at the Hewanorra Airport where they gave us hand sanitizer when we walked into the check-in area. As you walk into the customs area, all traveler temperatures are checked and then you continue in line to the counter. The workers checked our travel documents and gave white wristbands to fully vaccinated visitors. It is important to keep this band on your wrist for the duration of your stay to maintain full island access.
You are required to take COVID certified taxis, which you can find outside of the airport. You must wear your masks while in the taxis and around the island in public areas. During our visit, we stayed at the Stonefield Villa Resort. For ease, we planned all of our excursions and transportation through the resort and ate at the on-property restaurant. Again, vaccinated travelers can travel through the island unrestricted but unvaccinated travelers are limited to approved activities. It just so happened that everything we were interested in doing was COVID certified, even though we were all vaccinated. I'll write a detailed post later about what we did.
One thing St. Lucia is good for is checking your temperature. We stayed for 6 days and probably had our temperature checked 20+ times! They would take note of our temperature every time we left the resort for an excursion and before they seated us in the restaurant. This helps them catch potential COVID cases before it impacts too many people and it also helps them trace information back to individuals should there be a confirmed case. There were also hand sanitizer stations available all around the island.
Flying Home
I'm not sure about other countries but the U.S. does require all air travelers to take a COVID test no more than 3 days before arrival. A negative result from either a PCR or antigen test is accepted. Stonefield offers testing on property in their Nurse's Station which is very convenient. Because we stayed for 3+ nights, our testing was free. If your trip is shorter, the antigen test will cost $100.
Stonefield set our appointment up for us with their doctor and let us know when to come. We got our tests done in less than 15 mins for all 4 of us and went about our day. The doctor sent the results to the front desk in about 12 hours (overnight) and we picked it up upon check out.
If your home country does not require you to take another COVID test or quarantine but you have the ability to, I would definitely recommend at least one of the two, especially if you are not vaccinated.
Final Thoughts
Traveling during a pandemic is definitely not for everybody. But for those of you who are able and interested, it is extremely important to travel responsibly. Respect the protocols of both your home country and your destination and take every precaution you can to travel safely. The goal is to keep both yourself and others around you safe, even as you continue to enjoy your day-to-day.
If you are considering traveling during this time, I would highly recommend St. Lucia! Although their COVID policies may feel like a lot when planning, it's really not that bad. Their procedures ensure tourists can enjoy their time without concern and that the locals remain safe after the tourists leave. I felt like I was in good hands for my entire vacation!
I don't foresee travel going back to completely normal anytime soon so for now, I hope this helped you know what to expect as you begin planning your trip. Safe travels!
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