COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Suriname (21 November Update)

Can a resident enter the country?

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

Can a foreigner enter the country?

• No with exceptions

• Foreign nationals are not allowed to enter Suriname unless they meet the following criteria:

• Travellers with a Surinamese passport and a valid residence permit or PSA card.

• Any person of Surinamese origin travelling due to serious illness or death of first, a second-degree family member on submission of medical documents or death certificate.

• Diplomats, government officials, or any other person travelling to Suriname for serving the public interest.

Is a test required on arrival?

• Yes

• Medical screening will be done on arrival.

Test certificate required?

• Yes

• Arriving travellers must carry a negative PCR report of a test carried out within 120 hours before departure.

Is quarantine required on arrival?

• Yes

• Travellers from the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United States, and European countries will be required to quarantine for 10 days in a government-approved facility.

• Any traveller can choose home quarantine after getting permission from the Minister of Health or the director of the Public Health Service (BOG). Permission must be applied for within 10 days before departure by sending an email to [email protected] .

• After getting approval, the traveller must approach a security company for physical security at the quarantine location at their own cost.

Insurance required?

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers travelling from Netherlands to Suriname must have a medical insurance coverage for COVID-19.

Entry form required?

• Yes with exceptions

• A passenger locator card, health assessment form, and a questionnaire must be filled.

• The NCCR questionnaire can be downloaded here.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• Airports are closed to international commercial flights.

• Effective from 23 November, commercial flights on the Mid-Atlantic route (Paramaribo - Amsterdam) and regional flights will be allowed to operate.

• Medical, emergency, cargo, and repatriation flights are allowed to operate.

• Currently, commercial passenger flights to and from the Netherlands have resumed for repatriation purposes.

• Domestic flights are permitted. However, domestic air traffic to and from East Suriname remains suspended.

• KLM and Suriname Airways are two airlines that are operating special flights to and from Suriname. Passengers may contact the airlines for further details.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• Authorities have divided countries in low, medium and high-risk categories with different protocols set for different zones. Anyone intending to travel is advised to contact the authorities for further details.

• Travellers must provide the reason of travel by sending email at [email protected] up to 72 hours before departure, so that the authorities can implement any additional rules depending on the type of travel.

• Borders remain closed except for the repatriation of residents and citizens of Suriname and to those travelling from the Netherlands and Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis for other emergency travel to Suriname.

• On 23 November, the Suriname airspace will partially reopen for commercial and regional flights.

• Currently, Suriname is allowing the following travellers from Netherlands: returnees, essential personnel or those with emergencies of a personal nature, and persons with permission from Suriname authorities.

• Issuance of E-Visa and E-tourist cards is currently suspended, however effective from 23 November, travellers intending to visit Suriname can apply for e-visa here

• Movement on the Corentyne River between Suriname and Guyana is allowed only for the movement of food, fuel, and other essentials.

Curfew restrictions

• Moderate

• The nationwide curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 hours (local time) will remain in place until further notice.

• Those violating lockdown, curfew, or social distancing measures may be fined.

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Gatherings of more than 30 people are prohibited.

• Suriname is currently in Orange code resulting in the easing of some restrictions.

• Parties, including private or house parties, are banned.

• In essential events, the number of persons allowed to attend depends on the space area, which is set as one person per five square meters.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Bus and boat services have resumed with limited capacity and strict safety protocols. Many bus routes are still prohibited.

• Entry and exit to the eastern part of the country, including the East-West Connecting road at the point of Stolkersijver, remains closed.

Non-essential shops open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Markets may open, subject to following public health protocols, which include a 1.5-meter distance between people.

• Supermarkets, small vegetable stands, bakeries, butchers, fuel stations are allowed to open with limited business hours.

Restaurants open?

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants and other commercial establishments may open only for the preparation and takeout or delivery of food.

Bars and cafes open?

• No

• Bars, night clubs, dance halls, discotheques will remain closed.

Personal care services open?

• Yes

• Hairdressing salons, barbershops, physiotherapy, and other such contact professions are operating.

Places of worship open?

• Yes

• Places of worship are allowed to reopen but must maintain social distancing.

Events allowed?

• Yes

• Meetings for weddings, mourning, hearings, funerals, and religious gatherings are permitted with limited people.

Masks required in public?

• Yes

• Face masks are mandatory in public.

Other

• Contact sports, such as martial arts, basketball, and football are not allowed. Individual sports activities outdoors may take place if they follow COVID-19 public health regulations.

• Gyms, yoga dance schools, aerobics, sports and fitness centres and facilities are allowed to open.

• Schools have reopened with reduced opening hours.

• Recreational sports activities are allowed without referees and spectators.

• Gambling and entertainment venues are allowed to open outside curfew hours.

• Companies and organizations are allowed to open with social distancing protocols.

• Casinos are allowed to open in open air settings.

Advice

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. This information is subject to change as the situation evolves. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Some countries are beginning to remove some restrictions gradually. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country’s embassy for information on your specific travel plans.