COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Suriname (24 April 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 for permission to travel to Suriname at least five business days prior to the intended departure date to [email protected].

• 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.

*Is a test required on arrival? *

• No

• Medical screening will be done on arrival.

Is a test certificate allowed?

• Yes

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

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Eligible passengers must carry a negative report of PCR test carried out at most 72 hours before departure to Suriname. Quick test results or antibody test results are not accepted.

• For passengers who have already been positive for COVID-19, a positive result for the ELISA test not older than six months will be required.

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

*Is quarantine required on arrival? *

• Yes

• Upon arrival in Suriname, a 7-day quarantine is required for all passengers 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 must undergo quarantine for a minimum of 7 days. Quarantine may extend beyond seven days if the traveller tests positive.

*Insurance required? *

• Yes

• Non-residents must have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. The medical insurance must cover COVID-19 related expenses, including monitoring by the doctor during the quarantine period. In case medical insurance doesn’t cover COVID-19 related expenses, all costs associated with any treatment caused by COVID-19 will be borne by the passenger.

*Entry form required? *

• Yes

• Travellers must present a health insurance certificate for coverage of all COVID-19 medical costs, including monitoring by the doctor during the quarantine period.

• Prospective travellers may send a request for permission to travel to Suriname at least five business days prior to the intended departure date to [email protected].

Is a vaccination required?

• No

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not required for entry into the country.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

• International flights are suspended except for medical emergency, cargo, and special repatriation flights.

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

Border restrictions

• Significant

• All international borders remain closed (including the ferry to Guyana). Foreign nationals may only enter for essential reasons.

• 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 Monday to Thursday between 20:00 to 05:00.

• A full lockdown will be in place from Friday, April 23 at 18:00 until Monday, April 26 at 05:00.

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

Social distancing restrictions

• Moderate

• Social gatherings are limited to five people.

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

• For 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

• Moderate

• Masks are required.

• Public transportation (taxis and buses) is available.

• Bus and boat services have resumed with limited capacity and strict safety protocols.

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

*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.

• Grocery stores remain open, except for during curfew and lockdown periods.

• Most non-essential services are open until 19:00 Monday to Friday and 17:00 Saturday to Sunday. Only one person per family is allowed into supermarkets or other stores 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 seen by clicking this link.

*Restaurants open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Restaurants and other commercial establishments may open only for the preparation and takeout or delivery of food. Restrictions for delivery and take out are:

  • Take out is allowed from Monday to Thursday until 19:00 (local time) and delivery service is allowed until 23:00 (localtime).

  • On Friday services are allowed to operate until 17:00 (localtime).

  • Delivery is allowed for Saturday and Sunday from 05:00 to 23:00 (local time).

  • Outdoor Dining is allowed to operate from Monday to Thursday until 19:00(local time) and on Friday, this is possible until 5 p.m (local time).

*Bars and cafes open? *

• No

• Bars, nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques will remain closed.

• Drinking alcohol in public spaces is prohibited.

*Personal care services open? *

• Yes

• Hairdressing salons, barbershops, physiotherapy, and other contact professions are operating with adherence to health protocols.

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

• Places of worship are allowed to reopen, with adherence to social distancing measures.

• Religious gatherings are limited to ten people.

*Events allowed? *

• No

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

*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.

• Schools have reopened with reduced opening hours.

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

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 practice social distancing and 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.