From Wednesday (25 May), fully vaccinated travellers to Barbados will no longer have to take a Covid-19 test to enter the country. Non fully vaccinated travellers will still be required to present evidence of a recent negative test for Covid-19.

Speaking at the weekend, Barbados’s prime minister Mia Amor Mottley said more than 70% of the eligible population in Barbados was fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

She added removing the entry test requirement would improve the tourism experience for travellers, such as by shortening the processing times at Grantley Adams International airport. 

“We had a 90% decline in the number of visitors… in the past two years," said Mottley. "[Now] we are significantly on our way back up."

Barbados has also softened its rules on the wearing of masks and face coverings, which are now only mandatory in indoor public spaces and on public transport. Outdoors, they are optional.

Minister of tourism and international transport, Lisa Cummins, said she hoped the changes would give people greater confidence to visit.

“What this signals to our travellers is that it is safe for them to come to Barbados, and we are in a position where we can comfortably accommodate many of the same measures they are experiencing at home – such as the protocols for mask wearing and testing for certain activities," Cummins added.