The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have given the Barbados Government high marks, saying that their “quick and comprehensive response to the pandemic has undoubtedly been a key factor in the country’s success to date in preventing widespread community transmission.“ Being an island gives the ability to more easily monitor all border crossings and to prevent excessive importation of the virus by vigilant testing of arriving visitors or returning residents.

Medical facilities in Barbados are good, and Barbadians are covered by universal health care that is free at the point of delivery for all citizens. This insurance coverage does not extend to visitors so you must buy adequate private insurance coverage. There is a large 600-bed public hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), in Bridgetown; it is supplemented by eight community polyclinics around the island. The QEH is the only major trauma facility in Barbados and has a 24-hour accident and emergency room. It has a medical intensive care, surgical intensive care, neonatal intensive care, and dialysis units.

All visitors should be covered by medical insurance. If you are applying for the 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp, proof of adequate medical insurance is a prerequisite for approval of your application. Many factors have an impact on the cost of medical insurance: your age, your level of coverage, your deductible payment, and whether you are prepared to pay for a full year’s coverage up front. There are a wide range of insurance products aimed at the needs of travellers, so you will want to shop around carefully.