WHAT ARE THE RULES?
TRAVEL FROM LONDON
REGARDING travelling out of Tier 4 — which came into force on December 20 — the Government’s website says you must stay at home and not leave your Tier 4 area, other than for legally permitted reasons such as:
TRAVEL to work if you are unable work from home.
TRAVEL for education or caring responsibilities.
VISITING or staying overnight with people in your support bubble or your childcare bubble.
TO ATTEND hospital, GP or other medical appointments or visits where you’ve had an accident or are concerned about your health.
TO PROVIDE emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm (such as domestic abuse).
When it comes to the rest of the UK, those living in Tier 2 and Tier 3 are allowed to fly to countries still accepting British travellers, and are permitted to travel from Tier 2 and 3 to an airport in Tier 4 to do so.
FROM AMERICA
THE U.s. state Department issued a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory notice on December 21 covering st Barts.
It says: ‘Do Not travel to French West Indies, which includes the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, French saint Martin, and saint Barthélemy, due to health and safety measures and COVID related conditions.
‘Read the Department of state’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.
‘The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 4 Travel health Notice for French West Indies due to COVID-19.’
It covers the whole of the U.S. — however, some states such as California, have additional rules.
FROM CALIFORNIA
A REGIONAL ‘stay at home Order’ was issued on December 3 and covers most of California including los Angeles.
It requires masking and physical distancing, forbids ‘ private gatherings of any size’ and closes shops except for ‘ critical infrastructure and retail’.
In addition, the Department of Public health has issued advice about travel.
It states: ‘ Californians are encouraged to stay home or in their region and avoid non- essential travel to other states or countries. Avoiding travel can reduce the risk of virus transmission and bringing the virus back to California.’
Non- essential travel ‘ includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature’.
Essential travel includes ‘work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health immediate medical care, safety and security’.
COVID RULES FOR TOURISTS IN ST BARTS
ST. BARTs is open to travellers who can present a negative COVID19 PCR test, taken within 72 hours of arrival. Tests are verified upon boarding the flight to st. Barts, and again upon arrival. visitors staying more than seven days have to take a follow-up test at the health centre on st. Barts on their seventh day.
Masks must be worn in shops. Restaurants are open but tables have to be well spaced if they are indoors. Beaches and beach bars are open, as are hotels.