Ask a COVID-19 Question
Last updated: 12/10/2020
Country-Specific Information:
- The latest requirements for travelers to Guyana are listed at https://guyanatravel.gy. Travelers no longer need prior permission to book travel to Guyana but must obtain a molecular biological PCR test with negative result within seven (7) days of travel, and complete a passenger locator form (electronic form found at https://guyanatravel.gy/passenger-locator-form) to enable contact tracing, at least 24 hours prior to travel. The COVID-19 test results must indicate the test is a “PCR Test.” Travelers who provide a negative test result dated within 72 hours of their flight departure can avoid additional testing upon arrival. Passengers with test done within 4-7 days of travel will be retested upon arrival in Guyana, and charged USD $85.00 for the additional test, payable by cash or credit card.
- The Government of Guyana announced an update of the COVID-19 emergency measures on November 30. Significant changes include the announcement that essential services, including hotels, resorts, tour companies, and lodges in the interior may now operate 24 hours per day, while complying with any health and safety protocols issued by the Guyana Tourism Authority. The Moleson Creek crossing between Suriname and Guyana was scheduled to reopen on 12 December 2020, but it was recently announced the reopening will be delayed. Curfew remains in force from 10:30 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., with stores and businesses able to remain open until 9:30 p.m. Restaurants are permitted to open for outdoor dining, delivery, drive-thru, curbside pickup and take out until 9:30 p.m.; indoor and buffet dining remain prohibited. Face masks are required to be worn in public spaces. The revised measures took effect from December 1 and will last until December 31, 2020.
- Schools may now be reopened by the Ministry of Education subject to compliance with the COVID 19 measures in the latest Official Gazette.
- Additional information on Guyana COVID-19 information is available here, and the full text of the emergency order is available in the latest Official Gazette.
- Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.
Entry and Exit Requirements:
- Is a negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? Yes.
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- Anyone entering Guyana must submit the results of their PCR COVID-19 test (taken within seven days of the scheduled flight) electronically via an online Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before arrival. The results must indicate the test is a “PCR Test.” Detailed requirements are listed here.
- Travelers must provide a copy of their negative PCR COVID-19 test to the airline at check-in, and to Port Health Officials upon arrival; test results should be in English to facilitate validation. If test results are more than 72 hours old upon flight departure for Guyana, the traveler must be re-tested at the airport at their own expense (fees will be collected by the airline before boarding the traveler; COVID testing at the airport is approximately $85.00 USD and is subject to change). Once tested at the airport, travelers will be allowed to continue travel to their residence or hotel. The traveler must remain at their residence or hotel until receiving a negative test result; test results are generally available within four to six hours. If the traveler tests positive, the Government of Guyana will require the traveler to self-isolate or quarantine for up to 14 days.
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- Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes.
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- Screening includes temperature check, additional disinfection, and information collection for contact-tracing.
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Movement Restrictions:
- Is a curfew in place? Yes, nationwide curfew from 10:30 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.
- Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? Yes.
- Non-essential travel into or out of Region Seven is not permitted. Travel is only permitted where it is connected to an essential service.
- Travel Between Guyana and Suriname – The Moleson Creek Crossing was scheduled to open on December 12, 2020 to facilitate travel to and from Suriname, but it was recently announced that opening will be delayed.
Quarantine Information:
- Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No, unless they exhibit symptoms or test positive for COVID-19 after arrival to Guyana.
- All persons over two (2) years old traveling to Guyana must present a negative molecular biological PCR test dated within 7 days prior to arrival, in order to enter the country. PCR Test results must be submitted electronically through guyanatravel.gy, and travelers must also present a copy of the test results bearing their name at the airline check in counter and upon arrival in Guyana.
- Persons whose tests were taken more than 72 hours (3 days) prior to travel are required to have a repeat test done on arrival in Guyana. Fees for the second PCR test are to be collected by the airline before boarding the passenger. Children under 2 years old, traveling with parents or other authorized adults who have tested negative are not required to be tested.
- Persons whose test was taken within 72 hours (less than 3 days) prior to travel, and children below the age of thirteen (13) are not required to be tested on arrival. Airport health authorities may also conduct additional testing for COVID-19 for arriving passengers who exhibit symptoms, such as a temperature above 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Any passenger exhibiting symptoms or testing positive upon arrival shall comply with the Ministry of Health measures for self-isolation and/or quarantine for a duration of 14 days.
COVID-19 Testing:
- Public Testing
- Cost: Free (no cost)
- Present yourself at one of the locations below stating your reason for requiring the test, or contact the COVID-19 hotline at 624-3067 / 227-4986:
- Herstelling – East Bank Demerara
- Paradise – East Coast Demerara
- Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Inc (using the East Street Entrance)
- Private Testing (costs vary):
- Eureka Medical Laboratory
- Address: 263 Thomas St. North Cummingsburg Georgetown
- Schedule: Testing done on Tuesdays and Sundays
- Cost: GYD $25,000
- Appointment and pre-testing phone interview are required
- Phone: 225-7574 / 227-0622 / 226-8979
- Joseph Mercy Hospital Annex – COVID-19 Centre
- Address: 37 Vryheid’s Lust – East Coast Demerara
- Phone: 220-2959
- Cost:
- Sample testing locally: GYD $5,000
- Sample sent abroad: USD $250
- Eureka Medical Laboratory
Transportation Options:
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- Are commercial flights operating? Yes.
- Guyana’s international airports reopened to commercial flights on October 12. Eastern Airlines, American Airlines, Jet Blue, Suriname Airlines, and Caribbean Airlines are currently offering service from the United States to Guyana.
- Per the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), any person seeking to fly into Guyana from abroad—including U.S. citizens—must complete a Passenger Locator Form and comply with testing guidelines, see https://guyanatravel.gy/ for more details.
- Is public transportation operating? Yes.
- All passengers and operators of public transportation must wear a mask. http://www.guyanapoliceforce.gy/
- Are commercial flights operating? Yes.
Fines for Non-Compliance:
- Individuals found to be in non-compliance would be subject to fines under the Public Health Ordinance Act, Section 152.
Consular Operations:
- ACS services being offered:
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- We have opened additional appointments for American Citizen Services. Please schedule through our website https://gy.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/citizenship-services/appointments. You must wear a cloth face covering and comply with social distancing during your appointment. Please arrive at the embassy 15 minutes prior to your appointment. No walk-in customers are accepted.
- Visa services being offered:
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- U.S. Embassy Georgetown is now resuming visa operations in phases under the State Department’s Diplomacy Strong framework and local guidelines. In September 2020, we resumed scheduling certain nonimmigrant and immigrant visa interview appointments, giving priority to certain categories of visas. Appointments for some categories of routine visas, including visitor visas for vacation travel (B1/B2), are still limited at this time.
- You can schedule your visa appointment through our website https://ais.usvisa-info.com/ or call center at 1-877-246-6788 (local) or 703-988-5765 (U.S). The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee validity dates have been extended to December 31, 2021.
Local Resources:
- For the latest public health best practices and COVID-19 statistics in Guyana, please consult the
The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
