Travelling to ‘Green List’ Antigua During Covid-19.

Before I get started with my ‘proper’ posts about my trip to Antigua – ya know, what I actually got up to – I wanted to write a blog post about how to get to Antigua in the era of Covid-19 and travel ‘lists’ and what the rules are. What tests you need, where you need to wear a mask, and how to have a stress-free vacay in a time where planning a holiday feels like you’re planning a mission to outer space. So, let’s get started!

Pre-planning for a holiday to Antigua in 2021

The pre-planning part is the part that really stressed me out to be honest. Even though I was double-vaccinated there was still a lot to think about when it came to tests and paperwork and all the rest of it. I only booked my trip a few weeks before I went because last year I had so many cancelled due to last-minute rule changes. My one top tip would be: print everything out so you have hard copies of it all. I didn’t, and I regretted it massively. it just stressed me out having to constantly search for the QR code rather than having everything in hard copy – especially in Antigua itself where roaming isn’t free and there’s only 15mins of wifi at the airport!

Covid-19 Travel Tests

When it came to the tests, you need three tests to visit Antigua: the pre-departure test taken within 7 days of your flight to Antigua, a test in Antigua the day before you fly back to the UK, and then the Day 2 test after you’ve returned to the UK.

I booked my pre-departure test with Express Test in London. To travel to Antigua they require you to take a PCR test within 7 days of travelling, and you must have the test taken in-person by a professional. For Antigua, it cannot be an antigen test or an at-home or self-administered test.

You also need to book your return Day 2 test before you fly (however this one can be an at-home test), because you need the code from the test booking for your passenger locator form. I did this the night before I flew home from Antigua and honestly I wish I had done it before I’d left the UK as it just added to the stress not having it all sorted.

You don’t have to take a test on arrival in Antigua, however they do pick random people to test at Antigua airport when you land. Thankfully I didn’t need one as they’re an extra $100USD. But, you do need to take a Covid-19 test the day before you fly back to the UK. The hotel’s in Antigua are very geared up for this and most of them have testing on-site. I stayed at Pineapple Beach Resort, and it was only $69USD for the test. You must take this test, without it you won’t be allowed on the plane home.

Passenger Locator Form

You do not need to fill in any forms in order to fly into Antigua, you just have to fill in a hard-copy form on arrival which the airline crew will hand out when you board the plane.

The Passenger Locator Form needs to be completed on the UK gov website before you fly back to the UK from Antigua. It’s important you do this when you’re in the hotel (and have wifi!) because you must show it when you drop your bags/check-in, and go through security. To fill in the form you need the special code attached to your Day 2 Covid test confirmation.

Airport & In-flight experience during Covid-19

I found the airport and in-flight experience fairly easy and okay to be honest. I travelled to Antigua from Heathrow airport with Virgin Atlantic as I had a load of airmiles to use up. When I arrived at Heathrow I was surprised how busy the check-in area was.

Heathrow Airport Process

Please note: masks are required in the airport and on the plane, so bring plenty with you. I took three washable masks with me and washed them in the sink with soap when I got to my hotel in Antigua.

I’m not sure what the process is for other airlines, but for Virgin Atlantic, you have to go through a Covid fit-to-fly certificate check before queuing for bag drop and check-in. I saw some people get confused by this and queue up for bag-drop only to be told to go to the back of the line for the test check and then queue for the bag drop again, so make sure you find the right line!

A member of staff checks your Covid fit-to-fly certificate, you get a sticker on your passport and then you’re told to go to bag drop/check-in. Then it’s on to security like usual!

Some shops and restaurants weren’t open, and every other seat was blocked out by a sign telling you not to sit there. It felt really strange being back in an airport as I hadn’t been in one since the beginning of March 2020 – this is the longest time I’ve ever been away from one! It felt nice, and I had a relaxed breakfast before heading to the gate for boarding. It felt fairly empty all through the airport,

Virgin Atlantic In-Flight Experience

I was really impressed with Virgin Atlantic from beginning to end (apart from a small hiccup with a scone cold scone that was impossible to eat because it didn’t come with anything to cut it up and prepare it on). When boarding the plane everyone was given a pack that included two disposable face masks, packets of hand sanitiser, anti-bac wipes, and they also enforced mask wearing.

Unfortunately because I booked so late there were only economy seats left, but thankfully I was on one of their new planes and it was actually very comfortable! I even had a whole row to myself because the plane was so empty! Staff remained masked at all times, and the plane felt very clean.

Arriving at Antigua airport

On arrival in Antigua it did take slightly longer than usual to get through immigration. There’s a pre-check before you get to the immigration desks where they take your temperature, check your fit-to-fly certificate, ask you questions about whether you’ve had any symptoms, and they also asked whether I was vaccinated. When I told them I was, they then asked for my NHS vaccination card and wrote down the vaccination type I’d had (AstraZeneca) and the dates I was vaccinated on my form. They told me I was fine and directed me towards the immigration line.

From there it was a normal airport experience! You must, however, keep your mask on at all times as you could be fined if you don’t.

Enjoying your holiday!

Now you’ve arrived, it’s time to enjoy your holiday! Things in Antigua are pretty chilled, however you must wear a mask whenever you’re in a taxi, public space, and walking around the hotel. You don’t have to wear it on the beach or when you’re by the pool. Not wearing a mask could get you a huge fine and I noticed that the staff treated those who were masked much better and quicker than those who were not. Also, I did a boat trip one day and you didn’t need to wear a mask on the boat! However I’m not sure if it was just our boat, or if that’s all boats.

As an asthmatic the heat and humidity can affect my asthma quite badly, and I did struggle to wear my mask at certain times on very hot days. However the rest of the time it was absolutely fine and it definitely made me feel safer!

I had a really amazing time back in Antigua and I’m really glad I went, despite the extra stress and organisation required, it was 100% worth it. I’ll publish a post about what I got up to on my trip to Antigua very soon, so keep an eye out!