Starting April 4, 2022, Covid proof of entry will no longer apply to foreign visitors visiting the tri-island nation of Grenada, as it fully reopens to tourism under pre-pandemic regulations. This means both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are welcome without testing, quarantine, or any further requirements.
Grenada is now officially the latest entry in our ever-expanding list of countries that have removed all entry requirements in 2022. Earlier this week, we have also received reports of several tourist hotspots in Europe opening up to all categories of travelers, including Sweden, Poland, and Denmark.
Grenada is the latest in the Caribbean to have done so, and only the 25th destination in the world:
April 4 Marks The Start Of A New Era For Grenada Tourism
With Covid cases falling consistently over the last few weeks, authorities in Grenada have decided it is time to move on from the draconian measures imposed across the islands throughout the pandemic. Those included lockdowns, social distancing protocols, and a clampdown on foreign visitors, especially the unvaccinated.
From April 4, a new era for Grenada Tourism starts, with all visitors, irrespective of nationality and vaccination status, allowed to visit again like before the pandemic. This means:
- No more vaccination certificates
- No pre-departure testing
- No post-arrival testing
- No further Covid proof of entry such as a recovery letter
- No quarantine
Americans visiting Grenada, Carriacou or Petite Martinique must only carry valid passports and comply with immigration rules. The same applies to Canadians, Brits, Europeans and all other foreign nationals.
Additionally, once inside the country, the wearing of face coverings will be optional, and there will no further restrictions on cross-island travel. For now, we still do not know whether the pre-departure health declaration form is also being removed.
A Restriction-Free Carnival
The lifting of restrictions precedes Grenada’s famous Carnival, called Spicemas, which is due to take place on August 8 and 9. It is a period of national importance which sees international visitors and locals alike celebrating Grenada’s diverse African, British, Caribbean, and French heritage.
In a statement, Shawn Charles, the Chief Medical Officer for Grenada’s Ministry of Health said the country is ‘at a stage where we can consider the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, even though we are aware that the pandemic is not yet over‘.
This strongly indicates Grenada might be preparing to treat Covid as endemic, regardless of new infection spikes. As Charles remarked, Grenada is ‘delighted’ to offer visitors a ‘seamless and easy travel experience‘, and the islands are ‘looking forward to welcoming them’.
Could The New Variant Wreck Grenada’s Reopening Plans?
Recently, a new variant of concern baptized BA.2 started quickly spreading across the globe, much like its predecessor Omicron did in late 2021. Back then, Omicron prompted numerous countries to shut down again. However, unlike Omicron, BA.2 does not seem to be causing severe travel disruption or border closures, or at least not yet.
Elsewhere, even though infection rates are increasing across Europe, it is pushing forward with a full reopening ahead of summer, leading the World Health Organization to call this decision ‘brutal‘. Over in the Caribbean, Grenada is not the only country lowering its defenses in spite of the BA.2 threat, with several paradisiac destinations also dropping restrictions.
Among them, Costa Rica lifted vaccine passes and its remaining entry requirements, Aruba fully reopened for tourism, and Cancun went as far as eliminating the mandatory use of masks outdoors. As more nations rush to catch up with its less-strict competitors, even with BA.2 very much present, travelers should expect more reopenings in the weeks to come.
How Safe Is Grenada Right Now?
Within Grenada specifically, the test positivity rate has remained under 5% throughout most of March, and the average report of new infections stands at a mere 6 per day, or only 2% of the previous peak.
Coupled with simplified entry processes, the favorable epidemiological scenario makes Grenada both one of the best Caribbean states to visit right now.
For more information, visitors should track updates on the Grenadian Government’s official website. Americans are also advised to follow CDC guidance on travel to Grenada prior to boarding their flight or cruise ship.
