Effective June 6th, “all non-immunised persons travelling to Bermuda are subject to mandatory supervised quarantine and will be required to bear all costs for the hotel/guest house,” National Security Minister Renee Ming said.
Speaking at this evening’s press conference, the Minister said “You must ensure that you have a confirmed [pre-paid] booking at a government-authorized hotel before boarding a flight coming to Bermuda.”
She explained that there are three approved quarantine locations, Coco Reef Resort and Grotto Bay, Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, with rates — while not implicitly stated, but we assume are per night — ranging from $200 to $356.
“Last year, the Government spent over $1.5 million on quarantine expenses. This was due in part to the fact that the hotels were closed. This year, the government is simply not in a position to subsidize the cost of quarantine accommodations,” the Minister said.
People that are exempt from mandatory supervised quarantine and are allowed to quarantine at home include people under 17 years, parents travelling with a child aged 4 or less, people over 65, people with a medical certificate, residents who left Bermuda before May 6 and are unable to meet requirements through no fault of their own, those traveling to escort a minor to or from an educational institution and more.
Update May 7, 10.18am: The Government has now issued a clarification to the official press released issued last night and what was posted on the official Government website. They have now advised that rather than the original statement of “you can only book your government-authorized hotel stay through the ResQwest portal” should in fact be “your hotel stay will be booked as part of the Travel Authorization process,” so we have removed the original line.
An extract from Minister Ming’s statement follows below:
Here are some general guidelines regarding the mandatory supervised quarantine for non-immunised travelers arriving in Bermuda by air on/after June 6, 2021.
By ‘mandatory supervised’ quarantine, it is meant those hotel/guest house properties that have been designated as such by the Government.
All non-immunised persons travelling to Bermuda are subject to mandatory supervised quarantine and will be required to bear all costs for the hotel/guest house they choose from amongst of participating properties.
The Disaster Risk Reduction Mitigation [DRRM] Team will oversee the mandatory 14-day quarantine for all incoming non-immunised travelers.
You can only book your hotel up to 14 days in advance of your arrival.
You must ensure that you have a confirmed [pre-paid] booking at a government-authorized hotel before boarding a flight coming to Bermuda.
If rooms aren’t available for your preferred dates, you must change your flight for a date when a government-authorized hotel is available or, you should book at another hotel.
You could face a fine if you don’t provide evidence of pre-paid accommodation at a government-authorized hotel prior to arriving in Bermuda.
Non-immunised travellers coming to Bermuda should follow these steps:
- 1. Have your traveler details ready.
- 2. Choose and book your hotel.
- 3. Get a confirmation to show at the time of arrival in Bermuda. Non-immunized foreign nationals who arrive in Bermuda without a confirmed [pre-paid] booking at a government-authorized hotel will not be landed and will be immediately returned to their place of origin.
Government-authorized hotels You may choose one of the following hotels for your mandatory quarantine:
There are three approved quarantine locations:
- a] Coco Reef Resort – $200 for single and $230 for double occupancy. Available rooms – 32+ rooms; each unit is equipped with WiFi, A/C, refrigerator, room safe
- b] Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa [$291.88 pp/ +$12.50 for additional person/ 3x per week maid service]. Each unit equipped with WiFi, A/C, refrigerator, room safe. Maximum of 4 persons per room. Meal plan available for $64.35 pp daily. No pets.
- c] Hamilton Princess & Beach Club – $289.30 for a Deluxe Garden view room; $356.30 for a Deluxe Harbor view room.
Last year, the Government spent over $1.5 million on quarantine expenses. This was due in part to the fact that the hotels were closed. This year, the government is simply not in a position to subsidize the cost of quarantine accommodations.
We do appreciate that these are significant costs, however the prices are comparable to other jurisdictions.
We will however continue to look for options that may be more affordable.
Here are some additional quarantine guidelines for non-immunised travelers.
The following persons are exempt from mandatory supervised quarantine and are allowed to quarantine at home:
- 1. Minors – Defined as 17 years or younger and parents travelling with a child aged 4 or less;
- 2. Seniors – Defined as 65 years or older;
- 3. Medical – Defined as either a] having a medical certificate; or b] certified essential medical travel; or c] certified essential medical companion;
- 4. Bona-fide residents who left Bermuda before May 6 and are unable to meet requirements through no fault of their own – Will need to define proof of residence and proof of inability to get vaccine;
- 5. Essential travel to escort a Minor to or from an educational institution. Applies to both parents OR guardians – no more than 2. – Defined as showing proof of travelling with minor and proof of school enrolment.
All exemptions are to be handled by the Ministry of Health Quarantine Authority – as they approve exemptions under the Quarantine Act.
