US State Department Issues Travel Warning for Bahamas

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the Bahamas due to “health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions.”

The new travel advisory, which was announced on August 6, has placed the Bahamas at a Level 4 – Do Not Travel warning.

“Do not travel to The Bahamas due to health and safety measures and COVID-related conditions. Exercise increased caution in The Bahamas due to crime. Some areas have increased risk,” the warning advises. “Travelers to The Bahamas may experience travel prohibitions, stay at home orders, business closures, and other emergency conditions within The Bahamas due to COVID-19.”

We have lifted the Global Level 4 Health Advisory, which advised Americans to avoid international travel due to COVID-19. We are returning to country-specific levels of travel advice (Levels 1-4), so that travelers can make informed travel decisions. https://t.co/G7snE3Wzwe pic.twitter.com/l9xpjbwccv

— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) August 6, 2020

“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies, and sexual assault, occurs even during the day and in tourist areas,” the U.S. State Department writes. “Although the family islands are not crime-free, the vast majority of crime occurs on New Providence and Grand Bahama islands. U.S. government personnel are not permitted to visit the area known by many visitors as the Sand Trap area in Nassau due to crime. Activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated. Watercrafts are often not maintained, and many companies do not have safety certifications to operate in The Bahamas. Jet-ski operators have been known to commit sexual assaults against tourists. As a result, U.S. government personnel are not permitted to use jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands. Exercise caution in the area known as “Over the Hill” (south of Shirley Street) and the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay in Nassau, especially at night.”