It is challenging to keep up with the Coronavirus impact on yacht charters in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

12 Knots team tried to collect the latest news from the regions and poste them on this page. We’ll be updating information on weekly basis with new countries and phases of re-opening borders for yacht charters.

Europe

  • CroatiaMay 15. Croatia was one of the first European countries to open borders for recreational sailing.
  • Italy – will be open for tourists and yacht charters June 03.
  • Greece – opened navigation on May 25. From June 15 all major airports will be open and from July 01 borders for all travelers and all airports will be open.
  • Montenegro – opens borders June 01. Navigation in coastal waters is already allowed.
  • France – will be re-opening borders June 15.
  • Spain – Prime Minister Pedro Sanches announced that foreign tourists will be able to visit country for July 01 and visitors will no longer have to undergo 14 day quarantine. Recreational navigation is already open in May.
  • Portugal – Augusto Santos Silva, Portugal’s foreign minister informed that “tourists are welcome in Portugal”. Tourists no longer need to undergo quarantine but will need to do some health checks upon arrival.

The Caribbean

  • USVI – confirmed resumption of tourism on June 01. On May 4 Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced the end of the shelter at home order, part of a five-step plan to reopen the islands for tourism by June 1, 2020.
  • Bahamas – will be re-opened from July 01, but each passenger will have to check temperature upon arrival and only if tests are within the normal range will be allowed to move freely during their vacation.
  • St. Martin – will open marine services on June 01, and plan to reopen island to tourists and sailors from other countries June 15.
  • British Virgin Islands (BVI) – reopening September 01. The BVI will open its borders to returning residents only starting on June 2 at the earliest. Non-resident visitors are not expected to be permitted to visit the BVI until September 1 at the earliest.
  • Antigua – international airport and all commercial traffic is closed till May 31. Expected reopening for tourists and sailors June 01.
  • St. Lucia - Minister of Tourism Dominic Fedee announced a phased approach to reopening the island to international tourists. Expected reopening of borders June 04.
  • Puerto Rico – has remained open to tourists but all visitors must self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. All ports are currently closed for cruise ship vessels. Recreational boating is prohibited until lockdown is lifted.

Travel advisories for North Americans planning to travel abroad:

  • US State Department – Level Four travel advisory – March 31 (“Do not travel abroad” alert)
  • Canadian Government – Avoid all travel outside of Canada
  • CDC – Level Three travel alert – April 1 (CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to all global destinations)
  • CDC statement on the risk of getting Covid19 while flying – Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily. Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, try to avoid contact with sick passengers, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Covid.jpeg

This picture was made by 11 year old Sloka Ganne and published on the www.stonesoup.com