The Caribbean has been a boon for travelers throughout the pandemic, with several islands being among the first destinations to reinstate tourism. However, the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis have not exactly been leading the charge. Among the last Caribbean destinations to ease their travel restrictions, the twin islands only began welcoming international tourists last October. Now, they’re only welcoming travelers who’ve been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
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Only Vaccinated Travelers Are Allowed to Visit St. Kitts and Nevis
According to the St. Kitts Tourism Authority, travelers are only considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccine or the first and only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, unvaccinated children are an exception: Children under 18 who are accompanied by vaccinated parents or guardians will be allowed entry to St. Kitts and Nevis, regardless of their vaccination status.
Vaccines are not the only COVID-19-related consideration for tourists in St. Kitts and Nevis, however. Travelers must also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of their travel date and book a “Travel Approved” accommodation where they’re expected to “Vacation in Place” for a week, meaning limiting their movement to the hotel grounds. In addition, those visiting the islands for longer than seven days will be required to take a second PCR test.
Though St. Kitts and Nevis have been among the strictest, most cautious Caribbean destinations, the islands have also maintained a low COVID-19 infection rate with only 74 cases and zero coronavirus-related deaths throughout the pandemic. Now that more than half the population has received at least one vaccine dose, it seems likely that those low numbers will hold, even if the islands decide to ease up their travel restrictions in the future. 