The latest updates on entry and exit regulations for travel to and from Bonaire.
With COVID-19 cases still increasing on Bonaire, the rules which regulate travel to and from the island can rapidly change, many times without prior notice. Here you’ll find the latest update as of today for entry and exit regulations, and important changes are marked in bold.
What are the entry and exit regulations for traveling to Bonaire?
Everyone aged 13 and older can only travel to Bonaire with a negative corona test. Which corona test depends on which country you are traveling from.
Travelers from a high-risk country:
High-risk countries now include the countries of South America (under current flight ban), the United States, Canada, the Dominican Republic (also under current flight ban), and the Netherlands. The following applies to these travelers:
Corona tests for travelers to Bonaire from a high-risk country:
- A negative NAAT test result, or
- A negative PCR test result and a negative Antigen test result.
Explanation of various corona tests used for entry and exit regulations:
The NAAT test must be taken no more than 24 hours before departure to Bonaire (the number of hours is calculated from the high-risk country (or a possible stopover) to Bonaire). NAAT is a group name for tests, which includes the following tests: mPOCT, NAAT, PCR or RT PCR, LAMP and TMA. Please note that currently, it is not possible to do a corona test as a transit passenger at the airports of Aruba and Curaçao. The test facilities at these airports are not located in the transit zone.
The PCR test (administration) may not be older than 72 hours upon arrival on Bonaire. The Antigen test (rapid test) must be taken up to 24 hours before departure to Bonaire (the number of hours is calculated from the high-risk country (or a possible stopover) to Bonaire).
Entry and exit regulations mandate that results are necessary prior to travel:
The negative result of the tests must be known before departure, otherwise, you will not be able to fly. The airline will ask you about this. If you do arrive in Bonaire without a correct negative test result, you will not be admitted to Bonaire and you will be sent back.
Exceptions are made for travelers from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius:
Travelers from Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten to Bonaire must have a negative NAAT test result or a negative PCR test result, and they do not need to take an Antigen test.
Travelers from Saba and Sint Eustatius to Bonaire do not have to do a corona test at all.
Travelers from a low-risk country:
If you are traveling from a Low-Risk country, a negative PCR test result or a negative NAAT test result will suffice.
Entry and exit regulations require all travelers to complete a Health Declaration:
All travelers to Bonaire must complete a Health Declaration from the Public Health Department no later than 72 hours and no later than 48 hours before departure. When checking in, boarding, and upon arrival on Bonaire, the printed Health Statement and the result of the corona test must be shown.
Travelers must be symptom-free:
When traveling to Bonaire, travelers must not have any complaints that could be related to COVID-19 such as cold, sore throat, cough, sneezing, chest tightness, loss of smell and taste, elevation, fever. Travelers must also not have had direct contact with someone who has COVID-19 fourteen days prior to the trip.
Have health insurance that covers COVID-19 care:
Bonaire advises travelers to check that their health insurance covers health costs during their stay on the island, especially relative to COVID-19.
I have been vaccinated. Do I still need to test before traveling to Bonaire?
Yes. Before your trip to Bonaire, you still need to have a negative corona test result in order to travel.
A vaccination ensures that you become less ill if you become infected with the coronavirus. It is as yet unknown whether someone who has been vaccinated can still spread the virus, so the regulation is meant to be conservative. So, for the time being, the same measures apply to vaccinated travelers as to people who have not been vaccinated.
What about sports? May I still enjoy diving, windsurfing, and kiteboarding?
Bonaire is currently in Phase 6 lockdown. Sports venues are closed. There are limited sports allowed, but only on an individual basis. No gathering is allowed.
Under Phase 6 Lockdown measures, the following sports can be enjoyed on an individual basis:
- Personal athletics and fitness
- Freediving
- SCUBA Diving
- Windsurfing
- Swimming
Change in exit requirements for travel from Bonaire to the Netherlands.
Do travelers from Bonaire to the Netherlands need to submit a negative corona test before boarding?
Yes, effective Saturday, March 20, 2021, at 8:00 AM, all travelers from Bonaire to the Netherlands must be able to show a negative corona test result upon departure.
This applies to travelers aged 13 and older.
- The corona tests for travelers from Bonaire to the Netherlands:
A negative NAAT test result. The NAAT test must be taken up to 24 hours before departure to the Netherlands, or - A negative PCR test result and a negative Antigen test result. The PCR test (administration) may not be older than 72 hours upon arrival in the Netherlands. The Antigen test (rapid test) must be taken no more than 24 hours before departure to the Netherlands.
Do travelers from Bonaire to the Netherlands need to quarantine upon arrival?
Yes. Effective today, all travelers from Bonaire must also be in (home) quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in the Netherlands.
(Source: OLB)
