St. Kitts & Nevis Will Only Allow Fully Vaccinated Travelers to Visit
The relatively speedy pace of vaccinations in the U.S.—and, with it, loosened restrictions and a gradual return to some semblance of normalcy—has certainly been cause for celebration lately. Wedding invitations are streaming in, friends and family are reuniting, museums are packed, and those long-shelved travel plans are back on. But just because things are carefree at home hardly means the same is true abroad. And, as we've all painfully learned over the past 15 months, mandates and rules can change at the drop of a hat.
Especially when it comes to international travel, the landscape is still quite rugged. There are countries where entry requirements are slightly more forgiving (Greece, for example, requires either proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test). There are countries that will let in anyone (Mexico, Dominican Republic). And then there are countries with stricter protocols in place (take France: while vaccinated Americans are permitted to enter, they will need to accompany their vaccine card with proof of a negative PCR test).
Now, St. Kitts & Nevis, the idyllic pair of islands in the Caribbean, has implemented even more stringent entry rules. Fueled by a recent cluster of coronavirus cases, the dual-island nation recently announced that not only must travelers be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken at least 72 hours before arrival, they will also have to "vacation in place," meaning remain within the confines of their resort for nine days. The approved list of hotels includes the Marriott and Park Hyatt on St. Kitts and the Four Seasons and Golden Rock Inn on Nevis. Those staying longer need to be retested on Day 9, and only when they've received a negative result can they move about the islands and go to shops and restaurants. There is also a curfew in place from 11 p.m.-5 a.m.
While it's tempting to treat a vaccine card as the golden ticket to anywhere on Earth, these new restrictions imposed by St. Kitts & Nevis are a reminder that there will still be much planning, and caution, required for any type of travel—also, get travel insurance.
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