+1(246) 432 5050 info@barbadossothebysrealty.com
Dear Valued Customer,
In these rapidly evolving times of COVID-19, we at Barbados Sotheby’s International Realty want to assure our clients that we are taking every health and safety measure required to ensure your safety and wellbeing during your stay with us.
As you consider your travel options, our team remains available to guide you and assist with any questions you may have. We appreciate your concerns and are closely monitoring the changing landscape as travel restrictions and requirements change in various countries that may impact your travel plans. We take this opportunity to address some of your more frequently asked questions:
Since the onset of this pandemic, Barbados was early to monitor and manage the number of cases that entered the island and took immediate action once the first cases were identified. The island started to implement lock down restrictions in March 2020 with gradual relaxation of these restrictions over time. All restrictions have been lifted in full, with only a requirement now to wear a mask in public and maintain the standard physical distancing guidelines.
Below shows the COVID-19 Statistics for Barbados as of December 28th and will be updated on this page every two weeks.
Every arriving passenger from a low, medium or high-risk country is required to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of arrival. It is strongly recommended that tests be done by an accredited facility and submitted online prior to arrival. If this is not possible, testing will be required on arrival.
Test results can be submitted online, and you will also be required to complete an online Immigration/Customs form at www.travelform.gov.bb 24 hours prior to travel.
A traveller’s risk category will be determined by the highest risk level associated with any country that they have travelled to or transited through within 21 days prior to travel to Barbados.
As of September 1st, 2020, the United States is categorized as High Risk while Canada and United Kingdom are categorized as Medium-Risk. More details on specific requirements for each category can be found in the BTMI travel Protocols. Please note that these are updated ever two weeks.
Your accommodation will have to meet the definition of “Villa” as outlined in the Travel Protocols and is as follows:
VILLA DEFINITION: For the purpose of quarantine, a villa means a self-contained accommodation unit. There must be no common areas accessible by the occupants of the villa. In the case of quarantine, villa staffing is at reduced levels and visitors are asked to note that staff are required to wear full industry standard Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the provision of service. The villa is for the exclusive use of the party of each reservation. Guests are not permitted to leave the accommodation neither are they to receive any visitors, with the exception of the Property Manager or a representative of the villa management company. There must be 24-hour manned security or security cameras monitored by a security firm in Barbados capable of ensuring that quarantine is not violated. All villas must be registered with the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) and managed by a villa management company. Any villa to be used for the purpose of quarantine must be approved by the Product Quality Unit of the BTPA. Requests must be submitted by the villa management company at least 72 hours in advance of arrival via villaapproval@visitbarbados.org
All properties managed by Barbados Sotheby’s International Realty are cleaned to international standards as defined by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). All of our staff have been trained in correct usage of PPE and we have included International COVID-19 guidance into our standard protocols and cleaning procedures. We have developed low or non-contact check in and check out procedures where required but our dedicated Property Managers remain available 24 hours should you have any questions or concerns about your accommodation.
What you can expect on entry to developments: Detailed logs of all persons entering the developments and various establishments is now standard and most will ask for your name and contact information while also recording your temperature and require that you sanitize your hands. Many establishments will require a mask on entry and physical distancing protocols are enforced in shared spaces such as communal areas, restaurants and supermarkets.
We understand the uncertainty and concerns you may have due to evolving travel restrictions surrounding COVID-19 and have introduced a relaxed cancellation policy to give you more confidence during your booking process. This has now been extended indefinitely so that you can spend more time focusing on your holiday.
For all bookings, excluding peak, you will be required to pay a refundable deposit of 25% to reserve your holiday. Full payment will be required 30 days prior to arrival to confirm your booking at which point you can also opt to cancel your stay if needed. If your travel plans change unexpectedly due to COVID-19 closer to arrival, you will be allowed to delay your dates within 12 months of your original booking in the same property with no penalty. This is subject to availability and other conditions. Our team will be happy to assist you with any questions or additional details and may be reached at rentals@barbadossothebysrealty.com
At Barbados Sotheby’s International Realty, we strive to keep you updated every step of the way and our friendly staff are ready to help in any way. We greatly appreciate your support during these challenging times and look forward to hosting you in one of our homes soon.
Warm Regards,
Rae "Muffin" Stollmeyer
Manager - Sales, Rentals & Marketing