Skip to content

State Department and CDC advise against travel to the Bahamas

Aug. 23, 2021
2 min read
Stacked Sun Loungers
State Department and CDC advise against travel to the Bahamas
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editor's Note

This story was updated on Aug. 25, 2021

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of State are advising Americans not to travel to the Bahamas as of Aug. 23, due to COVID-19.

Both have issued Level 4 travel advisories: The State Department has upgraded its travel advisory to Level 4: Do Not Travel while the CDC has raised its travel advisory to Level 4: Very High.

Read more: Bahamas making it easier to visit; everything US citizens need to know

"Avoid travel to the Bahamas," says the CDC. "If you must travel to the Bahamas, make sure you are fully vaccinated before travel. Because of the current situation in the Bahamas, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants."

As of Monday, Aug. 23, there were 150 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Bahamas, down from just over 100 a week ago on Aug. 16, according to data from the World Health Organization. Reuters reports that the Bahamas is averaging almost 100 new cases daily.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

On May 1, the Bahamas welcomed back fully vaccinated visitors, exempting them from testing requirements but reversed course on Aug.6 to require all visitors regardless of vaccination status, to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within five days of arrival to the country. Specific requirements vary by vaccination status and age:

  • Vaccinated travelers can present results of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test
  • For unvaccinated travelers age 12 and older, only a PCR test will be accepted
  • Unvaccinated children ages 2-11 can show results of a negative PCR or rapid antigen test

Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Featured image by Getty Images/Bloomberg Creative
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
5X milesEarn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X milesEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Enjoy a $250 travel credit & earn 75K bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

Pros

  • Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
  • You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
  • Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners

Cons

  • Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app