The Bahamas reported its first case of COVID-19 on March 15, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs closed the borders 10 days later. Four months later, there were just 119 confirmed cases across the islands, but cases jumped in mid-July and the travel restrictions that were lifted July 1 were rolled back. Heres the latest.

Editor's note: This story was last updated on August 5, 2020. We will update this piece regularly to stay on top of the latest travel advice.

The Bahamas have seen a dramatic spike in new cases since its reopening July 1, and the local lockdown situation - and international travel advice - has been changing quickly and often.

In a national address on 3 August, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis noted that there had been a surge in hospitalizations and demand for ICU beds and a new national lockdown would be initiated. While the Bahamas will remain open to international travel during the lockdown, its recommended that all travel is limited to essential purposes. All travelers arriving in the Bahamas will have to follow the lockdown protocols and all other travel policies contained in the latest Emergency Powers Order.

Travelers who do arrive there will be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Cruise ships have not yet returned, but when they do, protocols could include the advance submission of health declarations, temperature screenings, and restrictions around disembarkation, according to the Bahamas tourism board.

While travel is currently discouraged, all incoming visitors and residents by air and by sea above age 10 must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 swab test, taken within the previous 10 days. An electronic health visa is also required, and travelers are asked to complete the form in advance by uploading their test results and providing any relevant contact information. Applications take up to 72 hours to process, and those approved will receive a green code to be presented at airport check-in and upon arrival.

Everyone arriving in the Bahamas is required to quarantine for 14-days when they arrive. Travelers will be allowed to quarantine at a hotel, private club, rented accommodations (like Airbnbs), or on a private boat. They will have to submit to monitoring and install the HubbCat APP on their phone for contact tracing.

After 14 days, anyone intending to stay longer in the country will have to complete another COVID-19 test, at their own expense, to exit quarantine. More details, including rules for private aviation and private yachts and pleasure craft, can be found on bahamas.com/travelupdates.

A national lockdown went into effect on Tuesday, 4 August at 10 pm and will remain in place for a minimum of two weeks. During this time, quarantine measures will be enforced, and all businesses in the countryincluding curbside and takeaway dining and retail are required to suspend operations. Residents will only be able to leave their homes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 am to 5 pm - and then only for the sole purposes of getting essential items like groceries, water, medication and gas. Find out more details at opm.gov.bs.

New Providence: As of July 20, public and private beaches and parks on New Providence, Paradise Island, Rose Island, Athol Island and the surrounding cays are closed until further notice, as are the restaurants at Nassaus Arawak Cay and Potters Cay. The two Sandals properties in the Bahamas were scheduled to welcome guests July 1 with some extreme new protocols, but the Nassau resorts opening date has been pushed back to November 1.

When the Bahamas entered phase two of its reopening on July 1, resuming operation of commercial airlines, hotels and vacation rentals, and transportation like taxis, jitneys, and buses, authorities were cautiously optimistic but noted that the situation would be closely monitored in the days ahead.

Unfortunately, things didnt go according to plan, with Prime Minister Minnis noting in his July 19address to the Bahamian people that the situation deteriorated at an exponential rate since the countrys borders reopened. Grand Bahama has seen a resurgence of COVID-19 cases after being Covid-19 free for a little over two months, he said, an increase that "coincided with the re-institution of international flights and passenger sea transport.

The situation including the travel advice appears to be changing rapidly in the Bahamas, so check with all relevant government agencies and resources before planning any travel.

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What travel looks like in the Bahamas in 2020 - Lonely Planet Travel News