COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Suriname (15 July Update)

*Can a resident enter the country? *

• Yes

• Residents and citizens are allowed to enter.

*Can a foreigner enter the country? *

• No with exceptions

• Suriname’s borders are closed to commercial passenger traffic. Only passengers authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international business, and international cooperation will be admitted on flights to Suriname.

• Travellers in one of the following categories below may send a request to [email protected]. for permission to travel to Suriname at least five business days prior to the intended departure date:

• Holders of a Surinamese passport and foreign nationals with a valid Surinamese residence permit, work permit, or foreign nationals with a valid PSA card who reside in Suriname.

• Persons of Surinamese origin who wish to travel due to the death or a serious and/or terminal illness of a first- or second-degree family member. It is necessary to submit a statement from a medical specialist and evidence documenting the family relationship.

• Essential travellers to Suriname serving the public interest, namely professional groups, diplomats, and government officials.

• All arriving passengers will need an e-visa to enter Suriname.

• Travel for tourism remains prohibited.

• Travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are now permitted to travel to and from Suriname subject to meeting other entry requirements.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• No

• Medical screening will be done on arrival.

Is a test certificate accepted?

• Yes

• Test certificates issued outside Suriname are accepted. However, quick antigen test results or antibody test reports are not accepted.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Passengers must present a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test certificate issued at most 72 hours before departure to Suriname. Quick antigen test results or antibody test results are not accepted.

• Travellers below 12 years of age are exempt from the testing requirements.

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Incoming travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are not required to enter quarantine. However, authorities recommend that vaccinated travellers self-isolate for 7 days after arrival in Suriname.

• Unvaccinated passengers or passengers who have not received the complete course of the vaccine against COVID-19 will be required to enter a 7-day quarantine on arrival in Suriname, at their own expense in a hotel recommended by Health Authorities. Proof of paid hotel reservation must be presented upon check-in for the flight. For a list of registered hotels, please check this link.

• Self-quarantine will be allowed only if granted special permission from the Health Ministry.

• Based on the above restrictions, all incoming travellers will either be exempted from quarantine or have to enter quarantine for a minimum of 7 days.

*Insurance required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Non-residents must have travel insurance with medical coverage for COVID-19 related expenses, including monitoring by a doctor during the quarantine period. Travellers are responsible for any expenses not covered by insurance.

Entry form required?

• No

• There are no entry forms required.

Is a vaccination required?

• No with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for essential or emergency travel to Suriname. However, fully vaccinated travellers can travel also for non-essential purposes and are not bound by the quarantine obligation.

• Fully vaccinated individuals will need to present the following documents:

• Proof of complete vaccination,

• Negative PCR test certificate, and

• Valid travel documents.

• Unvaccinated travellers or those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are able to travel to Suriname (inbound) for essential purposes or repatriation purposes only starting from 10 July to 24 July provided they are:

• In possession of a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours before departure of the flight to Suriname

• After arrival, they enter mandatory hotel quarantine (under guard) for seven days.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• Most of the international flights are suspended except for medical emergencies, cargo, and special repatriation flights. Travel to Suriname is only permitted for essential movement.

• Domestic flights are only allowed for cargo, stranded passenger repatriation, and medical emergencies.

• Before travelling, approved travellers must have a medical certificate for a negative PCR test result if applicable, confirmed accommodation booking, and travel insurance for non-residents. Without these documents, passengers will not be allowed to board the flight.

Border restrictions

• Significant

• All international borders remain closed. Foreign nationals may only enter for essential reasons.

• From Guyana and French Guiana, goods and essential passenger traffic by water will only be allowed on Wednesdays. Exemptions may be granted for essential travel.

• Land and sea borders are open only for essential purposes such as for cargo, medical, and emergency transportation.

Curfew restrictions

• Significant

• A curfew is in effect from 18:00 to 6:00 (local time).

• During periods of curfews and/or lockdowns, all individuals are instructed to remain in their homes unless granted permission by Surinamese authorities for emergencies, such as for medical reasons. Those violating lockdown, curfew, or social distancing measures, may be fined.

Social restrictions

• Significant

• Social gatherings in public spaces are limited to five people, except for work and sectors which have a separate protocol.

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

• Funerals are limited to 25 people.

Internal travel restrictions

• Minimal

• Public transportation has resumed. Registered taxis may operate for all citizens

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Most non-essential shops are closed.

• Grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, drug stores, and gas stations remain open from Monday to Saturday from 06:00 to 17:00 (local time). Banks, money transfer businesses, insurance companies, and currency exchange offices (cambios) remain open from Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 14:00 (local time).

• Only one person above 18 years per family is allowed into grocery stores or other commercial businesses at a time.

Accommodations open?

• Yes

• All passengers arriving in Suriname must book an accommodation registered under SHATA (Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association) for at least ten days before departing for Suriname.

• The accommodations registered under SHATA can be viewed by clicking this link.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes

• Outdoor and terrace dining is allowed from 6:00 to 17:00 (local time). Delivery service is available 24 hours a day.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• No with exceptions

• Bars remain closed until further notice.

• Drinking alcohol in public spaces is prohibited.

• Cafes and other commercial establishments are allowed to open for food delivery and preparation.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

• Hair salons, barbershops, physiotherapy, and other contact professions are currently suspended.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes.

• Places of worship are allowed to open with a limited capacity of 50 people depending on the capacity of the room.

*Events allowed? *

• No

• Most public events have been cancelled due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

*Masks required in public? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Face masks are mandatory in public.

Other

• Nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques remain closed until further notice.

• Individual sports activities, yoga and dance schools, aerobics, zumba, sports and fitness centers, or venues are allowed to operate.

• Only primary education has been resumed. Students of exam classes are allowed to visit the schools under strict adherence to protocols. However, all other educational facilities remain closed until further notice.

The COVID-19 epidemic is constantly changing worldwide. Travel and border restrictions may change with little or no notice. Airlines may have their own requirements for testing, masking, and distancing. It is recommended that travellers carry a supply of face masks since the requirement can vary by location. It is recommended that travellers practise social distancing, maintain a 6-foot distance from other individuals and avoid crowded areas. Check with your airline, booking agent, or country's embassy for information on your specific travel plans.