LPIA COVID-19 Updates

Welcome to the Lynden Pindling International Airport’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Page.  Here you will find the latest information as it relates to travel to and from LPIA.  Please follow us @nassau_lpia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

LPIA Reopening General Message:

• The Government of The Bahamas is taking a phased approach to restarting air travel to, from and within The Bahamas.  As a result, Lynden Pindling International Airport will be reopening in stages.
• • Starting Monday, June 8, 2020:
    • Inter-island flights within The Bahamas will resume.
  • Starting Monday, June 15, 2020:
    • Commercial flights to The Bahamas will resume exclusively for Bahamian citizens, legal residents and homeowners qualifying for economic permanent residency as well as the immediate family members of these groups.
    • Private aviation will also resume.
    • All returning persons will still be required to register at a Bahamas embassy or consulate and obtain a COVID-19 test with a negative result prior to travelling.
  • Starting Wednesday, July 1, 2020:
    • Domestic and international flights will resume for Bahamian and foreign travellers.
    • All travellers will be required to complete an electronic Health Visa prior to travel.  The Health Visa application and requirements can be found at www.travel.gov.bs
    • A Negative PCR COVID-19 test is required for all visitors, Bahamian citizens and residents.  This is to be presented upon entry or return to The Bahamas.
    • Tests should be taken within ten (10) days of travel date. 
    • No quarantine will be required upon arrival, however, travellers who show symptoms of COVID-19 may be transferred to an area away from other passengers for further testing and evaluation.
    • Tests are not required for children under the age of two, private pilots who remain on their aircraft or Bahamian citizens, residents and homeowners returning from English speaking CARICOM countries.
    • For Bahamian citizens and residents, a negative test is not required for short travel periods of 72 hours or less outside The Bahamas; however, upon return, a 14-day quarantine may be required based on determination by The Bahamas Ministry of Health.
• NAD and its airport partners have been working in close collaboration to implement safety protocols that will allow LPIA to resume operations while also reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission for travellers and staff.
• As a result of these new protocols, the airport experience will be somewhat different from what travellers are used to.
• We recommend that travellers arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to their flight’s scheduled departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights in order to give themselves extra time to check in and go through security as well as to allow for a longer boarding process. The current recommended travel times may increase as more people begin to travel.
• Bahamian government regulations require that all individuals wear a mask or face covering when in public – this includes at the airport, on a plane and in other modes of transportation like buses, taxis and private cars.
• We are also working closely with the ten other airports in the Vantage Airport Group network to share best practices and support each other as we adapt our operations to the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Visit https://www.bahamas.com/tourism-reopening for more details on the reopening of The Bahamas to international visitors.

Q&A

• Do I need to wear a mask?
  • Bahamian government regulations require that all individuals wear a mask or face covering when in public – this includes at the airport, on a plane and in other modes of transportation like buses, taxis and private cars.
• What if I don’t have my own mask? Are they available at the airport?
  • We strongly encourage all travellers to bring their own mask to the airport. In the event that a traveller does not have a mask or if the mask breaks, masks will be available for purchase from airport vendors.
• Will my temperature be taken?
  • Health officials reserve the right to conduct temperature checks on all travellers. Passengers who present symptoms of COVID-19 will be isolated in a separate area of the airport for further testing and evaluation.
• Will food and beverage operators be open?
  • Most food and beverage vendors will be open. However, their menu offerings and service hours may be reduced. There will also be reduced seating in dining areas to allow for physical distancing.
• Can I bring hand sanitizer in my carry-on luggage?
  • Passengers can now bring one liquid hand sanitizer container of up to 354 mL (12 ounces) per person in their carry-on luggage. This item will be screened separately from your other liquids and gels.
• Do I need to arrive at the airport earlier than usual?
  • We recommend that travellers arrive at the airport at least three hours early for international flights and two hours early for domestic flights in order to give themselves extra time to check in and go through security as well as to allow for a longer boarding process. The current recommended travel times may increase as more people begin to travel.
• I’m experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Can I still travel?
  • Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (which include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches) must stay at home, self-isolate and contact their physician for appropriate care until they are better.
• I was experiencing some COVID-19 symptoms a few days ago, but they have since gone away. Can I still travel?
  • It depends. Anyone who has experienced COVID-19 symptoms (which include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose and muscle aches) in the past 14 days should refrain from travelling unless they have since tested negative for COVID-19.
• I was in contact with someone in the last two weeks who tested positive for COVID-19. Can I still travel?
  • It depends. Anyone who has been in contact with someone with a presumed or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days should refrain from travelling unless they have since tested negative for COVID-19.
• What changes should I expect aboard my flight?
  • Please check with your airline for the latest onboard protocols prior to travelling.