Aruba’s health and safety protocols are being revisited and reevaluated on an ongoing basis. Based on the ever-changing situation, we recommend all visitors to check Aruba.com frequently for any changes to dates, markets, required procedures and more.
If taking the PCR test in Aruba, are we quarantined to our room in the hotel or just the hotel? Can we still go to facilities in the hotel such as the beach and pool?
If your test was administered on the island upon arrival, you are required to quarantine in your room at your booked accommodation until you receive your test result. The quarantine will be up to 24 hours and the Aruba Department of Health will make every effort to have results in 6-8 hours, in order to minimize visitors’ time in quarantine. Visitors are required to stay in their rooms to ensure the safety of fellow guests and Arubans.
If I tested positive while in Aruba, do I need to test negative before I can return to my country?
Yes. If you test positive, you must remain in isolation until declared recovered.
Do children need to be tested as well?
Children 14 and under are not required to take or submit a PCR test.
Why is Aruba requesting that travelers upload a certified negative PCR test result within 72 to 12 hours of traveling to the island?
We are requiring a negative test to minimize the chances of an individual contracting the virus ahead of travel to Aruba. This is for the safety of Aruba’s visitors and local community. Any Covid-19 testing done prior to travel to Aruba must show a certified negative test result conducted within 3 days of your departure flight to Aruba (the last leg of your trip). The negative test results must then be uploaded as part of the ED card process no later than 12 hours prior to your departing flight to Aruba (the last leg of your trip).
Can COVID-19 antibody test results be used as a replacement for a PCR test?
An antibody test cannot be used as a replacement for a PCR test, as antibody tests do not reflect whether a person is currently infected with COVID-19.
Testing before your return flight
Some countries/states/cities require returning travelers to undergo mandatory quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival.
There are currently 3 clinics that perform COVID-19 tests for departing travelers:
MedCare Clinic: medcare.aw – (+297) 280-0630 – WhatsApp (+297) 562-4440 – info@medcare.aw
MedLab: lab.aw – (+297) 586-1600 – Cell/WhatsApp (+297) 597-5544 – info@lab.aw
Horacio Oduber Hospital: (US$ 75) https://www.arubahospital.com/ – servicecenter@hoharuba.com – (+297) 597-4522 (Call or WhatsApp)
Get in contact with the test provider to make an appointment, get details on the exact test performed and their procedures.
Tests that are accepted:
Accepted Molecular test types:
- PCR / RT-PCR / ddPCR / Rapid PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- NAA / NAAT (Nucleic Acid Amplification)
- AMP PRB (Amplified Probe)
- LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification)
- TMA (Transcription-mediated Amplification)
- Accepted Molecular test brands, such as, but not limited to: Abbott ID NOW – Only when results include the original thermal receipt / sticker, or results are verifiable through an email or patient portal.
- Quidel Lyra PCR
- Abbott Realtime PCR
- Cobas Qualitative PCR
- FTD PCR
- Xpert Xpress
- Simplexa Direct PCR
- Vault Health
Tests that are NOT accepted:
- Any at-home kits (the sample needs to be collected by licensed medical staff) With the exception of Vault Health
- Any test that does not rely on a nasal swab, such as: Sputum, saliva and spit collection (spit in a cup, etc) Gargle, oral rinse, etc Oral swab without a nasal swab With the exception of Vault Health
- All Antigen (Ag) tests (including Quidel Sophia, Abbott BinaxNOW and Rapid Antigen Tests)
- All Antibody tests (such as IgG, IgA, IgM and Rapid Antibody Tests)
- All blood tests (such as fingerstick, venipuncture)
- All plasma tests
- All serum tests
- All lateral flow tests
- All fever checks
- All temperature checks
- Any Doctor’s note
Upload any of these, or an inauthentic test result, and you will be required to retake the PCR test on arrival at the Aruba airport at your expense.
Additional important safety measures & updates
The government of Aruba has also implemented additional island-wide measures to further maintain the health and safety of visitors. As with all of Aruba’s procedures and protocols, this will be monitored and is subject to change as the situation develops.
From January 7th 2021 until further notice the following will be in effect:
- Curfew starting at 11:00 pm until 5:00 am.
- In addition to the curfew, there are “restricted zones” that are off-limits between the hours of 7pm-5am. Restricted zones include all beaches and public parking lots.
- All establishments are currently required to close by 10:00 pm at the latest.
- This is not applicable for establishments at hotel properties, however is applicable for hotel Casinos.
- Closing times per hotel may differ, please check with your hotel for more information.
- Tables at restaurants can have a maximum of four seats indoor and outdoor (excluding children under the age of 12). Tables must be at least 1.5 m apart.
- All bars, rum shops, and nightclubs are closed until further notice. Restaurant bars can serve at tables only. There will be no bar stools and no standing at bars.
- Hotel bars can serve at the bar for only registered hotel guests.
For more information go to www.aruba.com and click on health requirements.
