If you’re planning on a trip to Aruba during the COVID-19 restrictions staying safe and following restrictions is essential. This article will look into what safety precautions you need to do before traveling to Aruba, while you’re there, and when returning home.
Before You Go
All visitors must first apply online for the ED Card (short for embarkation/disembarkation card) to enter Aruba. To apply, visit www.edcardaruba.aw, the entire process can be completed online. Note that you’ll be required to provide five types of information and consent.
These include:
- - providing basic traveler information
- - submitting a personal health assessment
- uploading a negative COVID-19 test result (72 hours prior to arrival)
- purchasing Aruba Visitors Insurance (at a flat-rate premium of $30)
- declaring one’s consent to Aruba government mandates
Once you have completed the online ED Card process, you will receive a confirmation email with approval for travel to Aruba, shown in digital or print format check-in or upon boarding.
The CDC recommends that travelers heading to Aruba should get tested 1 - 3 days prior to boarding the plane. If you are experiencing any symptoms, you should cancel your trips and quarantine instead.
Your supplies must fit TSA restrictions. While masks are not a problem, the TSA only allows 12 ounces of liquid hand sanitizer to be brought on your trip.
Social distancing is mandatory in all public places, so be sure to maintain six feet between individuals when boarding or queueing.
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While You’re There
First and foremost, enjoy yourself! Practice safety precautions that you would typically do at home, including masks, social distancing, regular hand washing, and liberal usage of hand sanitizer.
For businesses and areas open in Aruba during the COVID-19 pandemic, avoid crowded spaces where the virus can be transmitted between infected individuals.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 while in Aruba, visitors are required first to contact their accommodation staff/host or the COVID Call Center 280-0505. A medical practitioner will ask visitors to a triage questionnaire to determine the next steps they would be required to follow.
The Aruba government has stringent island-wide measures to further maintain visitors' health and safety during the pandemic.
These include:
- Curfew starting at 12:00am until 5:00am
- All establishments are required to close by 11:00 pm at the latest (excludes hotel properties, but not hotel-casinos)
- Public gatherings of more than four people are prohibited between 7 pm, and 5 am in public spaces (including parking lots and beaches)
- Tables at restaurants can have a maximum of 4 seats inside or 6 seats outside (excluding children under 12).
- Hotel bars can only serve registered hotel guests at the bar.
- Yachts/boats: No more than 4 persons at one time onboard (commercial vessels are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50% of capacity).
- No contact sports are allowed; other sports are allowed with a limit of 25 persons outside or 10 persons inside.
For any social / family gatherings, the maximum number of persons allowed are 10 (inside) and 25 (outside), and dancing is prohibited.
- In shops/supermarkets the maximum allowed is 1 person per family.
- All visitors and locals must wear a mask on tour buses
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Coming Home
Once your trip to Aruba is over and it’s time to get back home, be sure to get tested 48 hours before boarding the plane. Most hotels will help you set up testing and often complete the test on the property. The COVID-19 test costs $100 in Aruba. This helps reduce the transmission of COVID-19 to other travelers and avoid any delays due to quarantining.
- It’s also important to remember that airports and other public facilities can be dangerous for the spread of COVID-19, so being extra sanitary is a plus. Wash your hands before and after eating, using the bathroom, touching door handles, or riding on public transportation.
