INTERNATIONAL REPORT—Several hotel chains and properties in the Caribbean and Mexico are offering guests free COVID-19 antigen tests as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for guests who are traveling to the U.S.
Meliá Hotels International
Meliá Hotels International has begun offering free, on-site COVID-19 antigen tests at all 10 hotels owned and operated in Mexico and the Dominican Republic for all guests who are required to present documented results prior to entering their country of residence. Participating hotels include Paradisus Playa Del Carmen, Paradisus Cancun, Paradisus Los Cabos, ME Cabo, Meliá Cozumel and Meliá Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; and The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Paradisus Palma Real, Meliá Caribe Beach Resort and Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort in the Dominican Republic.
Offered on reservations of a minimum of three nights, guests will coordinate and schedule a COVID-19 test upon check-in to the hotel. All tests are required to be taken 72 hours prior to departure and same-day results are available. If any guest’s country of residence requires a PCR test, the resort will arrange all logistics and coordinate scheduling with local testing sites.
Karisma Hotels & Resorts
All Karisma Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica will offer complimentary, on-site COVID-19 antigen testing as per CDC guidelines for guests who are traveling to the U.S. Testing will be available free of charge at the hotels for guests departing as of Jan. 26 in response to new CDC requirements that all air passengers entering the U.S. produce a negative antigen test.
If a guest’s return travel test results are positive, Karisma will provide quarantine accommodations until a doctor certifies clearance for travel with a negative test result for a period not to exceed 14 nights. These amenities are available for guests traveling through March 31, 2021. Policies are subject to be reviewed and changed according COVID-19 protocol updates.
Palladium Hotel Group
In an effort to comply with newly-implemented CDC travel guidelines, Palladium Hotel Group is now providing on-property COVID-19 tests for all guests traveling to the U.S. and Canada. Antigen COVID-19 rapid testing is available free of charge for guests traveling back to the U.S. (until April 4, 2021), and PCR COVID-19 testing is available for guests traveling to Canada.
COVID-19 testing is available at all Palladium Hotel Group properties in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica, including its Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and TRS Hotels brands. Testing is available in the mornings, before noon, at the resorts’ on-site medical centers with results available by the evening if taken on a weekday or results available on Monday if taken during the weekend.
Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos
To meet new U.S. entry requirements, and for added convenience and peace of mind, all three Beach Enclave Turks & Caicos resorts—Beach Enclave North Shore, Beach Enclave Long Bay and Beach Enclave Grace Bay—will provide complimentary COVID-19 testing for all guests returning to the country. These pre-departure tests will take place in the comfort and privacy of each guest’s villa and will be coordinated directly by the concierge team.
No quarantine period is required upon arrival to the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, all international visitors must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within five days prior to arrival, proof of medical insurance and a completed questionnaire.
Hotel Matilda
Hotel Matilda in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, will be providing free on-site COVID-19 tests for guests staying a minimum of three nights to help them comply with the CDC’s requirement that all international travelers entering the U.S. present a negative COVID-19 test result, which takes effect Jan. 26.
The free on-site antigen tests will take place in the guestrooms, and test results will be emailed to guests the same day but appointments to get tested must be made at least four days in advance. The requirement applies to both travelers who have and have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine. If a traveler has recovered from COVID-19, they will need to show proof of recovery within the last three months (positive test and confirmation from a licensed healthcare provider) to be cleared for travel.