Coronavirus in Curacao – NEWS UPDATES
The Coronavirus in Curacao (COVID-19) is dynamic situation that is on all of our minds. The health and safety of you, your family and your friends is of paramount concern. With that in mind, please check back as we will do our best to keep you informed about the latest developments regarding travel and tourism on Curaçao.
Latest NEWS from DIVE NEWS CURAÇAO
Coronavirus in Curacao – Covid-19 Government Announcements
Updated: April 20, 2021
Curacao in lockdown due to Coronavirus
Curacao Lockdown has been extended until April 30, 2021
The Government of Curaçao has announced adapted lockdown measures starting Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
The newly adjusted Government measures in question are as follows:
- For physical and mental health, it is permitted to go to the beach and swim between 4:30 and 8AM on your number plate day.
- Restaurants are allowed to offer delivery services till 8PM
- Restaurants who can offer drive-thru can now offer these services till 8PM except on Sunday.
- ‘Truk’i Pan’ are allowed to offer delivery services till 8PM
- Hardware companies can continue to operate offering drive-thru services in the form of click & collect. Meaning the order must be done through What’s App, Website or through the phone, and information for pick-up is exchanged. This will only be allowed from Monday – Saturday.
- Businesses and retail companies can continue to operate through delivery from Monday – Friday till 6PM.
- Carwash is allowed through drive-thru, as long as the driver remains in the car. This means cleaning inside the car is not possible.
Summary of Newly Adjusted Government Measures in question are as follows:
- Curfew remains from 7PM – 4:30AM.
- Everyone must remain home and work from home as much as possible.
- Vital/essential businesses can remain open, such as: supermarkets, banks, medical operations, gas stations, bakeries, hardware stores, construction companies, restaurants (delivery only) and hotels.
- Companies must request a NEW exemption for their employees at www.kalamidat.cw; this will take 72 hours.
- ‘Plachi di dia’ has been re-introduced, meaning cars with the following number plates can drive on their appointed day.
- Monday and Thursday: A | D | F | G | H | K | BF | Z | WA | SpKen
- Tuesday and Friday: B | J | L | N | R | U | MF
- Wednesday and Saturday: S | T | V | X | Y
- Sunday: no cars allowed on the street
- ‘Plachi di dia’ is valid to go to vital/essential businesses only.
- Testing facilities and the vaccine program continues to operate normally.
- ‘Plachi di dia’ is not valid for people who have to go get vaccinated. (For example, if you’re only allowed to be on the road Monday and Thursday, but your vaccine appointment is on Tuesday, you are allowed to leave to get your vaccine on Tuesday).
- Informal care (‘Mantelzorg’) is allowed from 4:30 – 8AM and 4:30-7PM. An exemption must be requested at www.soaw.mobi.
- Beaches are open on ‘Plachi di dia’ – swimming at public beaches will be allowed between 4:30am-8:00am only.
- Restaurants and ‘Truk’i Pan’ can only offer delivery between 12 – 8PM.
- Gyms, sport centers, and group activity are canceled, you can only practice exercise between 4:30-8AM and 4:30-7PM in your neighborhood.
- The airport and our borders remain open, while maintaining strict regulations. Visitors must also adhere to the new regulations.
- Visitors with a rented car can only drive on their number plate day.
Are You Traveling to Curacao?
The government of Curaçao – as of April 20th, 2021 – has implemented the following new measures and guidelines to make sure your stay here is as comfortable as possible, while keeping Curaçao safe for our visitors and our local community.
The government of Curaçao requires all travelers to follow mandatory steps before departure. These steps are different for residents of Curaçao and international visitors.
As an international traveler, visiting Curacao, you are required to follow these four steps:
1. Fill out Digital Immigration Card
All international visitors are required to complete the Digital Immigration Card (DI card) online as soon as you have all your travel information. The Digital Immigration card is a mandatory card for all foreign travelers to clear immigration in Curaçao.
2. Fill out Passenger Locator Card
A Passenger Locator Card is mandatory for all travelers and includes country of departure, personal information, travel information and medical information. Travelers who depart from low risk countries are required to complete the online Passenger Locator Card form (PLC) within 48 hours prior to traveling to Curaçao and carry a printed document of proof with them.
The Public Health Authorities have classified countries into low risk and high risk. For the up to-date list of countries and their risk level, please click here.
3. Upload a negative COVID-19 PCR test result
Travelers departing from a high-risk country will be required to submit a negative PCR test result from an accredited laboratory. The PCR test needs to be taken within 72 hours prior to departure at an accredited laboratory. The traveler is required to carry a printed/digital copy of proof with them for both the PLC and the negative COVID-19 test result.
4. Book a lab appointment for 3rd day Antigen test in Curaçao
As of April 20, 2021, all travelers departing from a high risk country are required to undergo a mandatory Antigen test on the 3rd day in Curaçao.
For more information how to book the 3rd day Antigen test, click here.
Please note:
- Children aged 6 and under who don’t show COVID-19 symptoms, and whose parents/ caretakers can show proof of a negative PCR test, are not required to undergo a PCR/Antigen test.
- Only deep pharyngeal nose and throat PCR tests are accepted. Covid tests such as Gargle and pooling samples, Saliva and blood tests will not be accepted.
- In the eventuality that traveler test positive in Curaçao, strict isolation measures will be implemented immediately. All lodging and possible medical expenses, including but not limited to PCR/Antigen tests, are for the expense of the traveler.
Need a quick Coronavirus – Covid-19 Test in Curacao before you fly home?
How to Get a Quick Coronavirus (Covid-19) Test for before you travel back to the United States or Canada!
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Government of Canada has issued interim orders requiring all air passengers arriving to the US or Canada from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to present the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) testing facilities in Curacao
While you are on-island, or in case you must return to a country where a negative test is required, COVID-19 testing is available at the following locations:
Analytisch Diagnostisch Centrum (ADC)
Are you traveling abroad and a Coronavirus (Covid-19) PCR test is required to confirm that you have been tested negative?
Please contact ADC to make an appointment or to request more information.
Costs of the Covid-19 PCR test are ANG 159,- ($ 90) including a medical report with the results. The Medical report will be send within 24h after taken the test.
Additional Testing Facilities in Curacao
Lab de Med – www.labdemed.org
MLS – www.mlscuracao.com
Coronavirus (COVID) Science Talks from Curacao
April 13th, 2021
Mass vaccination during a pandemic – On the 24th of February, 2021 the island of Curaçao initiated its vaccination trajectory and in this video Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth discusses mass vaccination during a pandemic with his colleague, Dr. Ashley Duits.
Special thanks to: Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth, MD, MSc | Physician, Epidemiologist and Dr. Ashley Duits, MSc, PhD | Medical Immunologist, Specialist in blood transfusion.
Video produced by the Department of Communication and Information of the Government of Curaçao.
Coronavirus in Curacao FAQ
Questions and Answers about the current Curaçao Lockdown
Dive schools located at a hotel premise can remain open to registered guests only. Dive schools cannot get exceptions, if they are not located on the premises of a hotel.
Tours by bus, taxi or other type of transportation nor ‘bubble’ tours or ‘quarantine’ tours for tourists, are not allowed at this initial phase of the lockdown, we are in at this moment.
In the next phase, the government will reassess, if less severe measures are allowed.
Hotel guests can use the beach directly located at the premises, while maintaining sufficient social distance and hygiene protocols at all times. Hotels that use other nearby beaches directly adjacent to the premises, and with which there is some form of user agreement, should first design a schedule and protocol for registered guests visits to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing. All plans need approval before an exemption can be granted.
F&B is only possible on delivery to registered hotel guests in the hotel, to be taken to the beach by the guests. Hotels are given into consideration to evaluate the possible risks and their mitigation, given the local high transmission rates, when deciding upon accepting local guests.
Rules about staying at home and avoiding contacts are the same for tourists and inhabitants alike.
Nearby restaurants can organize delivery. On site service or take out by guests is not allowed.
All tourists should adhere to the current measures and stay in the hotel as much as possible and remain social distancing and only go out for essential reasons (supermarket, pharmacy, testing).
Yes, massages are allowed as long as they are complying with the current hygiene and social distancing protocols that were already in place before the current measures. In fact, all hotel facilities are allowed except for Gym and Casino’s. Hotels with Spa facilities are allowed to offer their Spa services to their hotel guests only.
Mixing locals with tourists is a no go at this moment of the lockdown stage. Therefore, locals should be discouraged as much as possible to stay at a hotel or alternative accommodation.
Yes, multilingual Public Service Announcements are being prepared.
Taxis can apply for and exemption and transport to airport is allowed with proof of flight, also by rental car.
Taxis are exempt, so is public transport and rental cars.
Taxis are exempt and transport to airport is allowed with proof of flight, also by rental car.
Transport to and from airport is allowed with proof of flight.
The acceleration measures of the vaccination program will be announced very soon.
More Information about Coronavirus in Curacao
Curacao is a Caribbean destination where you can enjoy a relaxing and safe vacation, and we are waiting to welcome you back with open arms, at an appropriate distance. With the sun on your back, you can gaze over the bright blue sea with a cold drink at your fingertips; the immediate worries of the coronavirus slowly slip away. Curacao has restarted tourism in a controlled manner and the number of infections is under control. Because all tourists have to do a Coronavirus (COVID-19) PCR test and measures have been taken, COVID-19 is not so intrusive. Of course we want to keep Curaçao safe for you as a visitor, but of course also for our population.
United States and Canadian Citizens are welcome to travel to Curacao
Are you looking to travel to Curacao for a sunny vacation escape? Right now, with travel restrictions and situations changing almost daily it is hard to understand what is needed or required. So, if you want to know how you can travel to Curacao, what the requirements are for entry and where to get tested before you head home, then read the Travel to Curacao – A Guide for North America and we hope to see you soon!
The Complete Dive Travel Guide for Curaçao
If you are thinking, planning or just dreaming of your next Caribbean dive vacation, then you should read the complete dive travel guide to dive in to Curacao!
Over the years of living and literally breathing diving here in Curaçao, not to mention being a professional diver and attending countless international dive shows, it never surprises me to hear a lot of the same frequently asked questions about our Dutch Caribbean island. Some of the more regular questions include: Where is Curaçao?, Why should I dive in Curacao versus Bonaire?, How do I pronounce Curaçao?, Is there things to do on Curaçao?, and so many more.
Dushi Stay App
Curaçao reopened and we’re thrilled to welcome back our dushi friends from abroad. It is important that you stay informed and adhere to basic hygiene and physical distancing measures that are in place for the locals as much as they are for you. In the Dushi Stap App, you’ll find the most recent updates on the general guidelines that take place on Curaçao. Once you’re ready to come visit us, more information will be shared with you for each phase of your trip. Download the Dushi Stay App to be informed on the latest developments about the Coronavirus (Covid-19) on Curacao, available on Google Play and App Store.
The Curaçao Tourist Board is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, Environment and Nature, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Curaçao Civil Aviation Authority and government agencies to guarantee a safe reopening. Guidelines have also been created and implemented in the tourism industry to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
It is important that you stay informed and adhere to basic hygiene and physical distancing measures that are in place for the locals as much as they are for you.
Dive in to Curaçao and Feel it for Yourself
with VIRTUAL POSTCARDS from CURAÇAO
In times like this, dreaming of going to the beach to curl your toes into the sand or to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean is exactly what the doctor ordered!
