Effective from September 22, Barbados has discontinued all COVID-19-related travel protocols. There is no testing requirements for entering the island whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated. In addition, the wearing of masks generally has now become optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens homes; persons traveling on public transportation; and for persons who are COVID-19 positive.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport Lisa Cummins said, “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to our shores to experience all of the new and returning events slated for the rest of the year, and into early 2023.”
In other news, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival is returning after a two-year hiatus, under the theme "Feed the Future." This year’s festival, slated for October 27 to 30, 2022, takes on a new purpose as it gives back to the local community. Part of the proceeds of the festival will go directly to funding two students’ culinary degrees at the Jean and Norma Holder Hospitality Institute and Hotel PomMarine in Barbados. Additionally, part of the proceeds will go towards furthering one PomMarine student’s dream by giving them the opportunity to study abroad at a celebrated, international culinary institution.
Cummins said that she believed that patrons and sponsors will feel a sense of pride knowing that in some small way, they are supporting the growth of the culinary industry of Barbados and feeding the future.
While the festival will run for a period of four days, the entire month of October will now be filled with activities and events. Unlike other food festivals around the world, where all events are isolated to one spot, Barbados’ events are set across the island. This year’s festival highlights the culinary talents of 29 award-winning local chefs and mixologists—including for the first time the addition of a vegan chef—who will all headline the signature 2022 Festival events.
The chefs will be joined by five international chefs, Eric Adjepong, David Rose, Marc Murphy, Anne Burrell and Huda Mu’min, who will be on island to fuse their talents with the local flavors of the Barbadian culinary artists.
For more information on Barbados’ travel protocols, visit www.barbadostravelprotocols.com. For more information on the Food and Rum Festival, visit www.foodandrum.com.
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