St. Barts is Open for Tourism
Jun 24, 2020
The Harbor is one of the most photographed spots on the island Photo Credit St Barts Tourism Committee
St. Barts, Caribbean’s leading luxury destination has reopened in accordance with new safety guidelines from the French government. Upon opening, all beaches, restaurants, boutiques and nautical activities will be open without restriction. St. Barts closed its borders to tourism and non-essential travel on March 16 in an effort to minimize the spread of COIVD-19. Since closing its borders, St. Barts has successfully eradicated COVID-19 on the island with no confirmed deaths due to the virus.
“St. Barts has been free of COVID-19 for more than two months, and we have worked diligently with the French government to develop effective and efficient health and safety protocols to protect our locals, partners and visitors,” says Nils DuFau, president of the Tourism Committee of St. Barts. “We are excited to reopen the island and welcome travelers back to our tropical paradise. We have a great deal to look forward to here on the island, including the upcoming St. Barts Gourmet Festival in November.”
One of the most varied and upscale islands in the Caribbean, St. Barts is known for its explosive culinary scene, luxury accommodations and convivial atmosphere. The island’s high season kicks off with the annual Gourmet Festival, November 11-15, 2020, which brings internationally renowned chefs to the island’s leading hotels for four days of gourmet dining and chic parties.
Magical sunsets over the Marina Photo Credit St Barts Tourism Committee
To welcome visitors back to the island, St. Barts, in accordance with the French government, and partner airlines will implement new entry protocols. New protocols include:
Protocols for Entry To keep everyone safe, the following safety measures are now in place for anyone visiting St. Barts:
– Visitors will be asked to provide documentation of a negative COVID-19 test performed within three days prior to their arrival.
– If visitors are unable to produce such documentation, they will be required to test for COVID-19 within 24 hours upon arrival to St. Barts. Until their test results are revealed, visitors will be required to observe strict quarantine at their host accommodations. Test results will be released in under 24 hours.
– If a visitor stay exceeds seven days, they will be subjected to a second COVID-19 test on the seventh day following their arrival.
– Children below age 10 are not subject to testing.
Airline Services
– TradeWind Aviation The aircraft operator plans on resuming scheduled service between St. Barts and San Juan, Puerto Rico on Monday, June 22. TradeWind Aviation will implement increased health and safety protocols, including pre-flight screening, aircraft cleaning, lounge cleaning and social distancing. For more information on TradeWind Aviation’s health and safety protocols, please click HERE.
– Fly WinAir Based in St. Maarten, Winair will reopen its sales office and call center on Tuesday, June 30, and has the ability to perform charter services from St. Barts to neighboring Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and Aruba, seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All scheduled flights are discontinued until further notice. For more information, please click HERE.
– Princess Juliana International Airport, St. Maarten The international airport has canceled all commercial flights to and from St. Maarten but is scheduled to reopen to passenger flights on July 1, 2020. The airport remains open and operational for medical, cargo, military and repatriation flights. For more information, please click HERE.
Cessna 208B Grand Caravan taking off from Gustaff 111 Airport Photo Credit Wikipedia
Accommodations The following hotels and villas are currently accepting visitors for this summer:
– Hotel Le Toiny: June 15
– Hotel Manapany: July 11 – August 24
– Les Islets de la Plage
– Les Mouettes Hotel
– Ondines Sue la Plage
– Auberge de la Petite Anse
– Salines Garden Cottages
– Hotel Villa-Lodge 4 Pieces
– Baie des Anges
– Fleur de Lune
– Le P’tit Morne Hotel
– Le Village St Bart
– Pearl Beach
About St. Barts St. Barts is one of the Caribbean’s most varied and upscale islands that features a collection of world class villas, hotels, spas, fine dining and a wide choice of leisure activities including nautical sports and full calendar of cultural events. At eight square miles, the island is adorned with beautiful inlets and bays of soft white sand that provide a breathtaking backdrop for families, couples and adventure seekers. For more information, visit www.saintbarth-tourisme.com/en, or follow St. Barts on Twitter and Facebook.
