Travel guidelines for Guyana during COVID-19

Effective October 12, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced new procedures for travel to Guyana. While travelers no longer need prior GCAA permission to book travel to Guyana, travelers must complete a passenger information form and provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test.  Testing is required within seven days prior to arrival in Guyana.  Travelers who provide a negative test result dated within 72 hours of arrival can avoid additional testing upon arrival.

The Government of Guyana announced an overhaul of COVID-19 emergency measures on September 30. Changes include a later curfew, from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., with stores and businesses able to remain open until 8:00 p.m. Restaurants are permitted to open for outdoor dining, delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take out until 8:00 p.m.; indoor and buffet dining remain prohibited.  Face masks are required to be worn in public spaces. The revised measures took effect from October 1 and will last until October 31, 2020.

On August 14, the Ministry of Education announced that schools will be closed for face-to-face learning until further notice. All of the University of Guyana’s classes for the first semester of academic year 2020-21 starting from November 2, 2020 will be instructed online.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.

Anyone entering Guyana must present the results of their PCR COVID-19 test (taken within seven days prior to arrival in Guyana) to the airline at check in. Updated Travel guidelines can be found at https://guyanatravel.gy.

Travelers must complete a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before travel. Travelers should carry a printed copy of their Passenger Locator Form and their negative PCR COVID-19 test results for the airline at check-in, and for Port Health Officials upon arrival; test results should be in English to facilitate validation.

If test results are more than 72 hours old upon entering Guyana, the traveler must be retested at the airport. Any fee for retesting (if necessary) will be collected by the airline at the time of check in on the day you travel to Guyana. Once retested at the airport, travelers must remain in home quarantine until a negative test result is confirmed; test results are generally available within six to eight hours. If the traveler tests positive, the Government of Guyana will require the traveler to quarantine for 14 days.

Travelers under two years old are not required to present the PCR COVID-19 test. Travelers under 13 years old are not required to be retested upon arrival in Guyana.

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes.

Screening includes temperature check, additional disinfection, and information collection for contact-tracing.

Movement Restrictions:

Is a curfew in place? Yes, nationwide curfew from 9:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.

Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes.

Restrictions on domestic travel include limitations on specific locations, mode of transport, and occupant capacity within transportation vehicles.

Non-essential travel into or out of Regions Seven and Nine is not permitted.

Quarantine Information:

The Ministry of Public Health has the authority to forcibly (if necessary) quarantine any person who tests positive for COVID-19 in either a hospital or camp created for the reception, isolation and treatment of persons suffering from COVID-19. Any person who tests positive for coronavirus shall be placed in controlled or other form of isolation. Inbound international travelers are requested to self-quarantine at home for seven days after arrival.

COVID-19 Testing:

Public Testing

Cost: Free (no cost)

Present yourself at one of the locations below stating your reason for requiring the test, or contact the COVID-19 hotline at 624-3067 / 227-4986:

Herstelling – East Bank Demerara

Paradise – East Coast Demerara

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Inc (using the East Street Entrance)

Private Testing (costs vary):

Eureka Medical Laboratory

Address: 263 Thomas St. North Cummingsburg Georgetown

Schedule: Testing done on Tuesdays and Sundays

Cost: GYD $25,000

Appointment and pre-testing phone interview are required

Phone: 225-7574 / 227-0622 / 226-8979

Joseph Mercy Hospital Annex – COVID-19 Centre

Address: 37 Vryheid’s Lust – East Coast Demerara

Phone: 220-2959

Cost:

Sample testing locally: GYD $5,000

Sample sent abroad: USD $250

Transportation Options:

Are commercial flights operating? Yes.

Guyana’s international airports reopened to commercial flights on October 12. Eastern Airlines continues to operate twice-weekly flights to New York and Miami; passengers may book flights through goeasternair.com.  Beginning in November, American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, and Eastern Airlines will offer service from the United States to Guyana.

Per the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), any person seeking to fly into Guyana from abroad must complete a Passenger Locator Form.

Fines for Non-Compliance:

Individuals found to be in non-compliance would be subject to fines under the Public Health Ordinance Act, Section 152.