One day back in September 2020, I saw a chat on Facebook when two of my friends were talking about moving to Barbados, a beautiful eastern Caribbean Island, for 6 months-1 year. I asked, how? And the rest is history! I planned my one-month international trip to bring in the new 2021 year.
Yes, I traveled safely during the pandemic! Here’s a snapshot of my journey to the island.
Barbados COVID-19 safety measures
Barbados has very low cases of COVID-19, with 1,401 confirmed cases and 10 deaths as of January 2021, according to the Government of Barbados . Even still, there’s a process to enter paradise! One of my biggest draws to the destination was their COVID-19 protocols. For entry into Barbados, a negative COVID-19 test, obtained 3 days prior to travel, is required before even being able to board the plane.
Prior to departure and once you arrive all of your documents are carefully checked on each leg of your journey to ensure you have met the time frame. During quarantine, you have to take and record your temperature twice a day for 7 days and report your readings to the Minister of Health. You are able to proceed to one of the designated quarantine resorts or Air B&Bs where you are limited to designated areas until your second COVID-19 test–taken 48 hours after arrival–comes back negative.
Options for lodging range in price so there are viable options for everyone. It may be about 1 week of what some would like to call an inconvenience, but it is well worth it once you can breathe the fresh air with no mask on!
Beginning January 26, people traveling back to the US, will have to present a negative Covid test to reenter the country.
Outside of the place where we quarantined
Barbados culture
The Bajan people are polite and hospitable and on their own time. I have learned to slow down and just wait because whatever it will be, it will be wonderful.
Lunch in Barbados
The conservative stance of government officials is both protective and comforting. While I was out for New Years’, things were shutting down with a mandate that everyone should be home by midnight, but the police presence was not oppressive. It was helpful and protective. Coast guards were patrolling the waters, taxi drivers were courteous as they transported us safely to our destinations, and restaurant staff was celebratory.
Most of all the Bajan culture has made me realize that what we feel is most important, really is not that important. When you look at the unspoiled, clear shoreline–in that moment not much else matters and your perspective is forced to shift.
Working remotely in Barbados
I am a remote worker in the healthcare industry. Since March, I’ve been working from home. My private counseling practice has also transitioned to virtual as well. I purposely picked the slowest work time of the year for my travel which is December.
I took some vacation days, adjusted my schedule to work early in the am and late at night when the sun went down and informed my team and clients so they would know my availability. Every place had wifi, so some meetings and email responses were even done in the sunshine, overall, there was little to no interruption in my work.
Ocean-side views during remote work
Shifting your mindset
For the first time since March, I was able to inhale and exhale, filling my lungs and feeling a sense of renewal. 2021 has no choice but to be better with new improved versions of ourselves. All of this I knew and told myself over and over again, but traveling to Barbados allowed me to feel it and prepare myself for what is to come. I was fortunate to become part of a community of expats where connections were intentionally cultivated for fun, fellowship, and support in this adventure.
Whether one stayed for 1 month, 6 months, or 1 year, lifelong connections were established that will be sure to last a lifetime. I feel like I myself have been on a bit of an eat, pray, love journey. I relaxed and enjoyed wonderful culinary delights, had moments of reflection that have granted me clarity and ordered my next steps, and fallen in love with a culture and experience that I know I will return to.
At a local cafe in Barbados
With all of the unrest and uncertainty of home, I am hoping that the peace, lack of urgency over things that do not really matter remains and can be incorporated into my day to day for more of a balance. I have been reminded of what is most important and am forever thankful for that.
After COVID-19, the world is forever changed and will continue to change for the better I hope. My hope is that during such a different time, people will be more kind to each other. That we hear more “yes please” and “no please” in the future–trying to capture the kind, polite, and compassionate hearts that is within the Bajan people.
If you’re interested to travel to Barbados, check out their COVID-19 travel guidelines, here.
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