Bermuda Reveals Plans To Restart Tourism

Hey Ben,
The whole testing situation seems very risky/confusing and I am wondering how you and others will deal with that. You mention that testing is readily available which seems true. But the timeframe worries me. Every PCR testing site I can find in Southern California says "1-2 days". But they don't guarantee that (nor do they give a specific definition of when that time frame starts...when you leave the docs office? When the lab actually gets the sample?) LabCorps says 2-4 days. In addition...I can't find any information about what kind of documentation countries are needing regarding results. Seems like anyone could print out anything that Looks like a lab test unless there are specific requirements or guidelines. I know some people have commented anecdotally that their results came back within a day but I can't imagine putting money down for a big trip without the turnaround being faster and the necessary documentation being clearer.

I live in Bermuda. The requirements that were told here are slightly different- testing on arrival too and quarantine until results (which the government here has gotten down pat - very efficient and well run). It will probably change too depending on what actually works in practice. There will likely be much confusion at first. I think it is going to a very soft opening until they sort it out. Many locals want to get off the island to see family, medical appointments, etc and the rules for locals haven’t been set out yet. Nor how things will work for returning family.

How exactly do you certify a test? Will any test do? Consulates for example do certify some other types of documents.

Lucky, is there any news on Puerto Rico opening? I read that they are "officially" welcoming tourism on July 15th, but I also read that the quarantine and most restrictions are lifted as of the 15th/16th. https://www.explica.co/government-of-puerto-rico-cancels-quarantine-and-allows-opening-of-movie-theaters-gyms-and-beaches/

Do you know if it is okay to travel yet there? Most of the information is in Spanish, and the tourism sites are not very well updated. Thanks!!

Is this a way for Americans to fly to Canada? Now Americans can't but Canadians can fly from the US to Canada.

Yea I dunno how this testing stuff will work. In some places results are backlogged by weeks. Don't think we have the lab capacity to get results back fast enough for leisure travelers. I know in new york the medical staff in nursing homes cant get their results back. With the virus flaring up in like 19 states seems like quick turnarounds on non medically necessary tests will be quite slow. Insurance is another issue. An article talking about travel insurance policies and coverage specifically for covid when out of the country as well as coverage for medical evacuation would be quite useful as we move forward with travel.

I am surprised that no internet entrepreneur is selling bogus covid tests on-line for a few bucks. Sounds like a business opportunity to me. They do it now for phoney flight itineraries for people who need proof of departure when entering certain countries.

I live in Bermuda. The Premier explained the plan a bit more last night. Said they are working to identify places in the gateway cities that can do 72 hr tests. Will provide more information. All visitors and returning residents tested on arrival (saliva). Quarantine until results (hours). Our testing system is really doing a good job (they built a dedicated lab) and is emailing out results very quickly so I think this is going to work. They are trying to find the right balance of protection vs freedom to travel vs tourism economy. There will inevitably be hiccups at first though and not a lot of flights expected until the fall.

Get travel insurance unless you can secure a test with timeframe

We are the largest tester in my state.
Turnaround time is 1 hour to 1-2 days from time of collection
1 hour is only for ICU patients

But we prioritize the tests
SYMPTOMATIC
#1: hospitalized/ICU patients
#2: congregate living
#3: medical workers
#4: people with certain diseases (eg dialysis)
#5: all other symptomatic people
We just added
#6: asymptomatic hospital patients
#7: asymptomatic protestors

Next will be
#8: asymptomatic contact tracing

Do you see “leisure travel” there? Nope
Will you? Probably. But it will be ranked last

Also, we will have a wave of infections this Fall. Which might leave us short of tests again.
This will bump asymptomatic vacation off the list

This is okay for enabling essential travel, but as a tourist who loves Bermuda and has been many times, I have no interest in going through all these steps considering the potential for hiccups along the way. I think tourism will be dead until there is a simplified and less intrusive method to allow it. Not to mention that fact that I live in a place that is pretty much COVID-free now but to get to Bermuda would have to transit some of the worst hotspots.

PCR tests here in Northern California take an average of five days still? Where are they widely available? And are they guaranteed to have results in 72 hours? Also, do they give results on weekends?

I am literally unable to travel until I can find PCR tests in my area. San Francisco has some, someone helpful pointed out, but they are for residents only when I called the Department of Health.

It is a major sticking point for every person I know who wants to travel this summer.