COVID-19 Precautionary Measures in Suriname (21 May 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.

• Flights to and from Brazil remain suspended until further notice.

*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 with exceptions

• Eligible passengers must have a negative PCR test certificate issued 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 emergencies, cargo, and special repatriation flights. Travel to Suriname is only permitted for essential movement.

• Flights to and from Brazil remain suspended until further notice.

• 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 (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 night curfew is in effect from Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 05:00 (local time).

• On Saturday and Sunday, the current curfew of 18:00 to 5:00 (local time) is in place until 3 June. During this time there is a full lockdown on the weekend.

• During curfew and lockdown periods, all individuals are instructed to remain in their homes unless otherwise granted permission by Surinamese authorities. Those violating lockdown, curfew, or social distancing measures, may be fined.

Social restrictions

• Moderate

• 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.

Internal travel restrictions

• Moderate

• 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? *

• No

• Until 3 June, markets, malls, clothing and other retail outlets are closed.

• Supermarkets, small vegetable stands, bakeries, butchers, fuel stations, outpatient clinics, and pharmacies are allowed to open for limited business hours.

• All shops and other public places must close one hour before the start of the lockdown.

• The Central Market and the emergency market in Poelepantje remain closed.

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 may only provide takeaway services until 17:00 and delivery services until 23:00 (local time). On-site services are prohibited.

*Bars and cafes open? *

• No

• Bars, nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques remain closed until further notice.

• Drinking alcohol in public spaces is prohibited.

*Personal care services open? *

• No

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

*Places of worship open? *

• Yes

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

• Religious gatherings and funerals 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. Children under 12 years of age are not required to wear a face mask.

Other

• All group and contact sports are prohibited. Individual outdoor sports activities are allowed as long as there is no contact with third parties.

• Schools remain closed until further notice.

• All government offices are now closed, only essential government services are open at reduced capacity.

• 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 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.