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Caribbean nations to introduce mandatory Covid tests
St Lucia and Barbados are imposing new entry rules that will require all visitors to produce a negative Covid PCR test.
A test must have been taken no more than five days before arriving in St Lucia, and three days before landing in Barbados.
The conditions come into effect in Barbados today and from 10 February in St Lucia.
St Lucia Tourism Minister Dominic Fedee said: "In order to co-exist with Covid, we must constantly evaluate our safety and travel protocols. In due consideration of all factors affecting the health of Saint Lucian citizens and international visitors, we are tightening testing protocols based on our current conditions."
In a further clampdown, border officials in Barbados will validate the PCR test before asking visitors to take a rapid antigen test.
Travellers will then have to quarantine in their hotel for five days ahead of another PCR test, the result of which will take 48 hours.
Only if that is negative will they will able to leave quarantine.
Arrivals to St Lucia must also submit a travel registration form, wear a mask in public places and agree to mandatory screening and temperature checks.
Transfers must be made by certified taxi to approved accommodation.
Under 5s are exempt from the PCR test for both St Lucia and Barbados.
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