COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 05/08/2023

Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for nonimmigrant travel

The Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. This means starting May 12, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked.

Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/.

Country-Specific Information:

Suriname has confirmed cases of Covid-19 within its borders. Please visit www.covid-19.sr for an updated case count.
Grocery stores, bakeries, butchers, drug stores, and gas stations are open on Monday through Sunday. Banks, money transfer businesses, insurance companies, and currency exchange offices “cambio’s” are open on Monday through Saturday from 6:00 AM -2:00 PM.
Recreational resorts, casinos, gambling and entertainment venues and games of chance offices are open according to the protocols that have been agreed with these sectors.

The following measures will apply until further notice:

Measure 1 – The General Measures:

1. It is advised to wear a mouth and nose covering in poorly ventilated areas, at large indoor gatherings (more than 50 people) and in places where the necessary distance cannot be maintained.
2. Always observe the 1.5 meters’ physical distance, the so-called Covid-19 distance.
3. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.

In the light of detected infections in children, parents should ensure that children adhere to the general measures and specific Covid-19 prevention protocols that apply.

Measure 2 – The Curfew:

1. The curfew has been lifted as of 21 February 2022. The land, water and air borders are accessible only to regulated passenger traffic.
2. The Covid-19 prevention protocols approved and issued by the Outbreak Management Team shall be considered as instruments of control by the competent authorities.
3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation will continue discussions with neighboring countries on the manner of cooperation at the borders.

Measure 3 – The Gathering Ban: This measure is no longer in force as of April 13, 2022.

Measure 4 – Restriction of Government Activities: All government offices are open during this period, with due observance of the applicable prevention protocols and with specific instructions from the relevant ministers.

Measure 5 – Restriction of Commercial Activities: In the period from April 13, 2022, until further notice, only in compliance with the applicable and applicable Covid-19 prevention protocols developed by the Ministry of Health, prepared and authorized by the Outbreak Management Team, it is allowed to enter commercial premises or spaces of any kind, and to have open as well commercial and private events.

COVID-19 Testing
Are PCR and/or antigen tests available for U.S. citizens in Suriname? Yes.

If so, are test results reliably available within one calendar day? Yes.

Report symptoms right away if you believe you may have Covid-19 or were exposed to someone who may have Covid-19 by dialing 178 to reach the designated Ministry of Public Health Covid-19 hotline, or by sending a text to 8836643. The Ministry of Public Health will provide instructions for Covid-19 testing to those who meet the requirements. For a list of testing locations, please see http://www.bogsuriname.com/swabposten/.

Travelers who need to obtain a non-medically indicated Covid-19 test (i.e. a test solely for the purpose of traveling) may make an appointment to do so at the Academisch Ziekenhuis no later than 4 days prior to departure from Suriname by visiting https://personalecxxlsw9.outsystemscloud.com/COVID19Agenda/

You will receive an appointment confirmation after submitting your online request. Five minutes prior to your appointment time you may sign in at the back gate of the Academisch Ziekenhuis on Flustraat, next to COVAB. The cost of the test is US$100 or 100 euro, depending. Results are available within 48 hours.

For questions about obtaining a Covid-19 test in Suriname for the purposes of travel, you may send a WhatsApp message to 8998743 or consult a travel agency for assistance making a Covid-19 test appointment.

Covid-19 testing for travelers is also available at MediLab, a private clinic. PCR tests cost approximately USD $75. Please contact the lab directly for additional details: https://www.facebook.com/Medilab-Laboratorium-Radiologie

Anyone, including a U.S. citizen, who tests positive for Covid-19 in Suriname may be placed in mandatory isolation at a government facility at their own expense and may not be released until cleared by the attending medical doctor. Isolation facilities may include outdoor tents. Travelers are responsible for all costs associated with quarantine or isolation.

Travelers should be aware that airlines may impose stricter testing requirements than their destination country. Check with your airline prior to traveler to verify testing requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
Has the government of Suriname approved a Covid-19 vaccine for use? Yes.

Are vaccines available in Suriname for U.S. citizens to receive? Yes.

Which vaccines are available in Suriname? AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Sinopharm.

Individuals in Suriname may register to be vaccinated on the Government of Suriname’s website: https://laatjevaccineren.sr/. After online registration, individuals will be contacted with further information about when and where they can be vaccinated. Visit the FDA’s website to learn more about FDA-approved vaccines in the United States. The United States Government does not plan to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. Please follow host country developments and guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination.

Entry and Exit Requirements:
Are U.S. citizens permitted to enter? Yes.

Is a negative Covid-19 test (PCR and/or serology) required for entry? No, for fully vaccinated travelers.

Are health screening procedures in place at airports and other ports of entry? Yes.

Measure 6 – Permitted Border Passages:

1. The borders will be open to passenger traffic from April 13, 2022, provided that the conditions and protocols specific to the relevant country or region from which the person comes directly are met.
2. The following flights are permitted in Surinamese airspace:
- a) The Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, the United States of America, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic: outbound and inbound flights for cargo and passenger traffic.
- b) Haiti: Inbound and outbound passengers are allowed given that they are residents of Suriname or have explicit written permission of the Government of the Republic of Suriname to travel to Suriname.
3. Goods and passenger traffic on water will be allowed from Guyana and French Guiana.

Starting April 13, 2022, and until further notice, the following measures will apply for persons who wishes to travel to the Republic of Suriname:

a) Fully vaccinated persons do not need permission.

The following documents are required for persons traveling by air:

Proof of complete vaccination with a WHO EUL Covid-19 vaccine, or a Covid-19 recovery certificate not older than six months.
Valid travel documents.
Yellow fever certificate for persons traveling from or transiting countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

b) Guyana and French Guiana
Persons who are fully vaccinated or can present a Covid-19 recovery certificate not older than six months and have stayed in Guyana or French Guiana at least 14 days and are traveling to Suriname by land do not need to submit a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR or a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.

c) For persons who are not or not-fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the following conditions will apply:

Presentation of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result not older than 48 hours or a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result not older than 24 hours, issued by an accredited medical test entity, before departure.
Valid travel documents.
Yellow fever certificate for persons traveling from or transiting countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Important Information:

A person is considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after the last Covid-19 vaccination shot (for Johnson & Johnson/Jansen, only 1 shot is required).
Fully vaccinated also includes persons who after being tested positive for Covid-19, from 14 days to 6 months ago with a Covid-19 recovery certificate showing the relevant test results (SARS-CoV-2 RT- PCR and CT value).
The vaccines accepted are:AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), AZD1222 (SK Bioscience Co Ltd.), Covishield, Covaxine, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm and Sinovac.
The following vaccines are also accepted: Soberana 1, 2, plus or Abdala or Spoetnik V under the condition that travelers also present a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result not older than 48 hours issued by an accredited medical test entity before departure and a SARS-CoV-2 antigen test must be taken 3 days after arrival in Suriname. The test condition is regardless of the Incidence Rate of the departing country.
Children under the age of 18 years are exempted from the vaccination requirement.
Children under the age of 12 years are exempted from the requirement to present a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR or a negative SARS-CoV-2 antigen test result.
Vaccination against yellow fever is required if arriving within six days after leaving or transiting countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. The yellow fever certificate must be issued 10 days before arrival.

d) Not or not fully vaccinated persons traveling abroad

Surinamese nationals and residents who need to travel abroad must take into account the entry measures of those countries to which they travel to as well as the entry measures for re-entering Suriname.

U.S. citizens who are currently in Suriname are allowed to depart Suriname to return to the United States.

Foreigners in Suriname who need to renew their residence should contact the Ministry of Justice and Police Sub Directorate of Alien Affairs by calling 427197, extensions 3610, 3611, and 3612 or visiting www.vz.juspol.sr.

Measure 7 – Education

1. Ordinary Primary Education (GLO), will be open with due observance of the applicable and applicable Covid-19 prevention protocols developed by the Ministry of Health, prepared and authorized by the Outbreak Management Team and with due observance of the regulations.
2. Secondary Education, will be open with due observance of the applicable and applicable Covid-19 prevention protocols developed by the Ministry of Health, prepared, and authorized by the Outbreak Management Team and with due observance of the regulations.
3. Teachers and other staff at schools are strongly advised to be vaccinated, so that the percentage of vaccinated staff (teachers, cleaning staff, administrative staff, canteen, and other staff) exceeds 70%.

Movement Restrictions:

Is a curfew in place? No.
Are there restrictions on intercity or interstate travel? No.

Quarantine Information:
Are U.S. citizens required to quarantine? No.

Measure 8 – Restrictions on persons in isolation or quarantine.

1. Persons against whom a measure of quarantine, isolation or mandatory stay at home has been notified or imposed are prohibited from withdrawing from it or from entering or being outside their home or places of residence.
2. The government strongly urges the community to strictly adhere to the above measures to provide maximum protection for you and your family and others with whom you may come in contact.
3. The measures provide more space for the community to go out on public roads, but you are called upon to only go out if it is urgently necessary.
4. The government will continue to closely monitor developments regarding care and infections and, if necessary, adjust the aforementioned measures on that basis.

Transportation Options:
Are commercial flights operating? Yes.

Is public transportation operating? Yes.

Public transportation is allowed. Registered taxis may operate for all citizens in accordance with the measures in force.

American Airlines has nonstop flights between Miami and Paramaribo several times per week. Please contact the airline directly or visit American Airlines at www.aa.com

Surinam Airways is operating limited flights for repatriation and essential travelers only from Paramaribo to Miami. U.S. citizens may use these flights to return to the United States. For more information about these flights or to book, please contact the airline directly or visit https://www.flyslm.com/ or www.facebook.com/surinamairways.

KLM may operate flights between Paramaribo and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. U.S. citizens departing Suriname are permitted to transit Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport, remain airside for up to 48 hours, and continue onward to destinations outside the EU, including the U.S. However, passengers will not be permitted to exit the transit area, therefore, they must have a confirmed onward flight outside of the EU prior to commencing travel. Note that it will not be possible to leave the transit area to check your luggage onto a new flight. A list of overnight stay hotel and shower facilities accessible from the transit area is available at https://www.schiphol.nl/en/at-schiphol/services/sleep-after-passport-control Please contact the facilities directly prior to departure to ensure they have availability during your transit through Schiphol airport.

If you are travelling to another country via the Netherlands, you must present a negative test result. For more information, please visit https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/exemptions-to-the-entry-ban/eu-entry-ban-exemption-categories.
Domestic flights will be allowed only for cargo, repatriation of stranded passengers and for medical emergencies. Commercial domestic flights for regular passenger traffic are not allowed.

Fines for Non-Compliance:
Violators of Suriname’s Covid-19 prevention measures may be fined up to 10,000 SRD. Repeat violators may be sentenced to up to 6 months imprisonment. Law enforcement may also detain or fine violators of any lockdown or curfew regulations.

Consular Operations:
The U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo is open for services to American citizens. To schedule an appointment please click this link: https://evisaforms.state.gov/acs/default.asp?postcode=PRM&appcode=1
Limited appointment slots are available for Interview Waiver and routine appointments.

For routine appointments and information on how to apply, click this link https://sr.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas-tourism-visit/how-to-apply/ For Interview Waiver, send an email to this email address: caparamar@state.gov

Local Resources:

Message to U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy Paramaribo

Message to U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy Paramaribo