Roberta Aguirre
The Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport has been closed and reopened multiple times in the past. The airport reopened on July 1, 2020, after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also closed and reopened on August 18, 2024, after Hurricane Ernesto.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of reopening | 1 July 2020 |
| Time of reopening | 12 pm AST |
| Date of announcement | 26 June 2020 |
| Announcement made by | Bermuda Tourism Authority |
| Airport name | L.F. Wade International Airport |
| Airport operator | Skyport |
| Airport location | Bermuda |
| Purpose of reopening | Resume commercial flights |
| Additional measures | COVID-19 testing, face masks, social distancing, contactless temperature checks, hand sanitization stations, sanitization of luggage, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Bermuda airport reopened on July 1, 2020, to commercial flights
- The airport implemented COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory masks
- Travellers needed a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival
- The Bermuda Tourism Authority announced the reopening on June 26, 2020
- The airport also reopened on August 18 after Hurricane Ernesto
The Bermuda airport reopened on July 1, 2020, to commercial flights
The Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport reopened on July 1, 2020, to commercial flights. The airport had been closed to international visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to resume commercial flights was announced by Minister Zane DeSilva, who stated that protocols and requirements would be implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Bermuda. These measures included mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, and COVID-19 testing for travellers, both before departure and upon arrival in Bermuda. Additionally, airlines were instructed to conduct verbal health questioning, visual checks of documentation, and contactless temperature screenings. Enhanced health insurance was also required for visitors to cover potential COVID-19-related costs such as quarantine accommodation.
The reopening of the airport was a significant step towards revitalising Bermuda's tourism industry, which had been impacted by the pandemic. The Bermuda Tourism Authority announced the reopening on June 26, 2020, stating that international visitors would be welcomed back to the island starting July 1. Visitors were required to comply with stringent regulations at various stages of their travel, including the Bermuda travel authorisation process, which cost $75 and included COVID-19 testing fees.
To ensure the safety of both travellers and the local community, travellers were advised to wear face masks, practise social distancing, and complete the necessary health screenings and declarations. Upon arrival in Bermuda, visitors had to present a negative COVID-19 certificate or undergo testing at the airport, with self-isolation required until negative results were confirmed. Throughout their stay, visitors were expected to monitor their temperature twice daily and record the results via an online app.
The reopening of the Bermuda airport was a carefully considered decision, balancing the need to revitalise the economy with the priority of safeguarding public health. The protocols and requirements put in place aimed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and ensure the well-being of both travellers and residents. While the airport resumed operations, Bermuda continued to adapt its policies and procedures in response to the evolving nature of the pandemic, demonstrating its commitment to protecting its community while cautiously reopening to international visitors.
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The airport implemented COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory masks
L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda implemented a series of COVID-19 safety protocols when it reopened to commercial flights on July 1, 2020. The airport had been closed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
One of the key measures implemented by the airport was the mandatory wearing of face masks. This applied to both travellers and staff. Passengers were required to wear masks while travelling to the airport, during their time in the airport, and when travelling on to their accommodation. Similarly, all airport staff, including customs and immigration officials, were mandated to wear the necessary levels of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In addition to mandatory mask-wearing, the airport also introduced other safety measures. Contactless temperature checks were conducted by the Department of Health, and hand sanitisation stations were located throughout the facility. Travellers were also required to undergo COVID-19 testing either at the airport or at their accommodation, with results expected within 24 hours, but usually received within eight hours. Social distancing was enforced, with passengers required to maintain physical distance from one another and limit contact with crew. Airlines were responsible for disinfecting aircraft, and seats were assigned with this in mind.
These comprehensive safety protocols were designed to protect the health and safety of both travellers and the local community in Bermuda. The measures aimed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission and ensure a safe environment for all.
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Travellers needed a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of arrival
Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport resumed commercial flights on July 1, 2020, following the implementation of COVID-19 safety measures. These measures included mandatory face masks, physical distancing, and enhanced cleaning protocols.
To further ensure the safety of Bermuda and its people, travellers were required to present a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of their arrival. This requirement applied to all visitors over the age of 10, with a saliva test permitted for those between 10 and 17 years old. For travellers originating their journey from the US, obtaining rapid test results within this timeframe was particularly challenging due to the longer processing times in US laboratories.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority mandated that travellers must wear face masks at their departure airport and on their way to Bermuda. Social distancing and good hygiene practices were also encouraged. Additionally, travellers were required to complete an online Bermuda travel authorisation process, costing $75, which included the cost of COVID-19 testing on the island.
Upon arrival in Bermuda, visitors had to present their negative COVID-19 certificate. Alternatively, they could undergo testing at the airport but were required to self-isolate until they received a negative result, which usually took a maximum of eight hours. Visitors were also advised to limit contact during check-in at their accommodations and were required to undergo quarantine until their test results were delivered. Throughout their stay, visitors had to monitor their temperature twice daily and record the results.
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The Bermuda Tourism Authority announced the reopening on June 26, 2020
The Bermuda Tourism Authority announced the reopening of the Bermuda L.F. Wade International Airport on 26 June 2020, with commercial flights to resume on 1 July 2020. This decision was highly anticipated by the community and the world, as the airport had been closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The reopening of the airport came with a comprehensive set of protocols and requirements to protect the health and safety of both travellers and the local community. These measures were meticulously planned by the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, to ensure the effective mitigation of COVID-19 risks.
One key measure was the mandatory presentation of a negative COVID-19 certificate upon arrival in Bermuda or, alternatively, undergoing testing at the airport. Travellers who opted to test on arrival were required to self-isolate until they received a negative result, which typically took no more than eight hours. Throughout their stay in Bermuda, visitors were expected to practise social distancing, good hygiene, and mask-wearing in public spaces, especially in close-contact settings like public transport.
Additionally, travellers were required to complete an online Bermuda travel authorisation process, costing $75, which included the expense of COVID-19 testing on the island. For individuals over the age of 10, a negative COVID-19 test (RT-PCR certified) obtained no more than five days before departure was mandatory. Children between the ages of 10 and 17 were permitted to provide a saliva test instead of the RT-PCR test. Furthermore, enhanced health insurance was strongly recommended to cover any potential COVID-19-related costs, such as quarantine accommodation.
The Bermuda Tourism Authority's announcement signalled a cautious and well-prepared reopening of the island to international visitors, balancing the resumption of tourism with the priority of safeguarding public health.
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The airport also reopened on August 18 after Hurricane Ernesto
The L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda reopened on August 18 after closing due to Hurricane Ernesto. The Bermuda Tourism Authority announced that the airport would resume commercial flights on July 1, 2020, following the implementation of stringent protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These protocols included mandatory face masks, social distancing, and COVID-19 testing for travellers. Additionally, airlines were requested to conduct verbal health questioning and visual checks of arrival documentation. Contactless temperature checks, hand sanitization stations, and luggage sanitization were also implemented at the airport.
Upon arrival in Bermuda, travellers were required to continue wearing face masks and practice physical distancing. Customs and Immigration officials adhered to the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines. Visitors were mandated to undergo COVID-19 testing either at the airport or their accommodations, with results expected within 24 hours or less. To further mitigate the risk of COVID-19 cases, Bermuda implemented a plan for visitors to undergo testing 72 hours before departure and upon arrival, allowing freedom of movement on the island while adhering to health guidelines.
The resumption of commercial flights on July 1 was confirmed by Minister Zane DeSilva, who assured the public that protocols would be in place to protect Bermuda and its people from the spread of COVID-19. The L.F. Wade International Airport took the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of travellers and staff, including health and safety measures such as temperature checks and hand sanitization stations.
The airport's reopening on August 18 after Hurricane Ernesto allowed flights to resume, facilitating travel to and from Bermuda. The Bermuda Skyport Corporation Limited, operators of the airport, ensured the implementation of safety protocols to protect the health and well-being of passengers, staff, and the island's residents.
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Frequently asked questions
Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport reopened for commercial flights on July 1, 2020.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, travellers were required to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and complete an online Bermuda travel authorisation process. They also had to obtain a negative COVID-19 test no more than five days before departure and undergo testing upon arrival.
Yes, the airport remained operational, but it was temporarily closed for a brief period in 2024 after Hurricane Ernesto.
