COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Suriname (15 June 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.

• 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 test results or antibody test reports are not accepted.

*Test certificate required? *

• Yes

• Passengers must present a negative PCR test certificate issued at most 72 hours before departure to Suriname. Quick 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 recommended and advise that vaccinated travellers self-isolate for 7 days after arrival in Suriname.

• Unvaccinated passengers or passengers who haven’t 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. Quarantine may extend beyond seven days if the traveller tests positive.

*Insurance required? *

• Yes with exceptions

• 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 with exceptions

• A vaccination for COVID-19 is not mandatory for essential or emergency travel to Suriname. However, passengers undertaking travel to Suriname for non-essential purposes, are required to provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before travel and adhere to other entry requirements such as presenting a pre-departure negative COVID-19 test certificate and following quarantine requirements on arrival.

• Unvaccinated travellers or those who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to travel to Suriname (inbound) for essential purposes or repatriation purposes only.

Airline restrictions

• Significant

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

• Inbound and outbound cargo traffic and outbound passenger traffic to Brazil, Cuba and the Dominican Republic is permitted.

• 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 or ELISA 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 nationwide lockdown is in effect until 18 June.

• During curfew and lockdown periods, all individuals are instructed to remain in their homes unless otherwise granted permission by Surinamese authorities. Citizens are only allowed to leave home 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.

• Religious gatherings and funerals are limited to ten people.

Internal travel restrictions

• Significant

• Public transportation by road or water is prohibited except for essential services and emergencies. Only registered taxi companies are allowed to operate for providing emergency services.

*Non-essential shops open? *

• Yes with exceptions

• Grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, drug stores, and gas stations are open only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 7:00 to 17:00 (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 with exceptions

• Restaurants and other commercial establishments can only provide delivery services from 8:00 to 23:00 (local time). On-site dining services are prohibited.

*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

• Hairdressing salons, barbershops, physiotherapy, and operations of other contact professions are currently suspended.

*Places of worship open? *

• No

• Places of worship are closed.

*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. Children under 12 years of age are not required to wear a face mask.

Other

• Banks, insurance companies, money exchange offices, money transfer offices and gold buying companies are allowed to operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 08:00 to 14:00 (local time).

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

• All sports activities, including contact sports, non-contact sports and individual sports activities are prohibited.

• Schools remain closed until further notice.

• Gym, yoga, dance schools and fitness centres are closed.

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.