Coronavirus – COVID19 – Update

LAST UPDATE: Friday, March 23rd, 2021

The coronavirus brings many questions and uncertainty. We have listed the most common questions for you. Is your question not listed? Please contact us at info@scubalodge.com and we will answer you as soon as possible.

WHAT DOES THE LOCKDOWN MEAN FOR HOTEL GUESTS?

Curaçao is going into lockdown for 2 weeks, starting on Wednesday, March 24th. We are here to make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, and to keep you informed about any changes. During this lockdown, the borders, airport, and accommodations incl. hotels and resorts remain open but both tourists and locals will have to obey the rules:

• The curfew will remain from 9:00 pm to 4:30 am.
  Restaurants can only offer delivery, between 12:00 and 8:00 PM
• The beaches will be closed.
• Sunday will be a car-free day for everyone, meaning that no-one is allowed to drive.
• From Mondays-Saturdays, you are only allowed on the road for mandatory shopping between 4:30 AM and 9:00 PM, based on your license plate:
  Mondays and Thursdays: A, D, F, G, H, K, BF, Z, WA, SpKen
  Tuesdays and Fridays: B, J, L, N, R, U, MF
  Wednesdays and Saturdays: S, T, V, X, Y
  Sundays: Car-free day for everyone.
• Only shops and companies with a crucial function may remain open, with a permit.

Our swimming pools and (city) beach area next door remain open but we encourage all guests to maintain a 6 feet/2 meter distance from other guests. Our restaurant will remain at your service.

CAN I BOOK A ROOM OR APARTMENT AGAIN?
Yes, you can. Reservations can be made through our website, by email (info@scubalodge.com) and per phone at (+5999) 465-2575. When you book directly with us instead of boooking through a booking site, you help us recover faster. When you make your reservations directly with our hotel, we do not have to pay commissions to external parties. This means that we can give our employees more hours, and possibly employ more people.

Plus, it also has benefits for you when you book directly with us:

• You always receive the best available price.
• If you need to change your travel plans, you can cancel free of charge up to 48 hours before arrival.
• You will receive a refreshing welcome drink upon arrival.
• You will receive a 10% discount on diving courses and dive packages at Scuba Lodge Dive Center Pietermaai.
• You will receive a 15% discount on our breakfast platter (US$15 per person per day instead of US$18).

CAN I TRAVEL TO CURACAO FROM MY COUNTRY?

Travel from high-risk countries
We look forward to welcoming visitors as per January 1st 2021. Prior to departure, all visitors must follow these 3 mandatory steps on dicardcuracao.com:

1. Complete the digital immigration card online before departure at dicardcuracao.com.
2. Within 48 hours before departure, you need to digitally fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) and carry a printed document of proof with you. You may do so at dicardcuracao.com.
3. Each visitor entering Curaçao will need to show a negative result from a certified COVID-19 PCR-test (Please note: PCR tests based on Gargle samples will not be accepted.) and carry a printed document of proof with them. The test is taken max. 72 hours prior to departure at an accredited laboratory. You may contact your general practitioner for a referral to the nearest institution. You will be required to upload the negative test results of the COVID-19 PCR-test on dicardcuracao.com before departure. Children 6 years and younger that show no symptoms, and whose parents can show proof of a negative PCR test, are not required to undergo a PCR test. In this case children 6 and younger do not need to complet a PLC.

Please note the following entry conditions apply to all travelers (from low- and high risk countries):
Regardless if you are traveling from a low risk or high risk country these general requirements will apply. Please see the risk area sections for additional requirements.

• You have been in contact with a person who tested positively for COVID-19 within 14 days prior to arrival. If this is the case, you will be placed in mandatory quarantine.
• You must carry a printed document of proof of the mandatory steps at all times during your travel.
• You must be adequately insured for medical care and any additional costs if you are quarantined or become ill during your stay.
• No cruise passengers are currently admitted.
• If you do not meet the above conditions, you may be quarantined on arrival. This is entirely at your own expense.

Travel from low-risk countries
As of January 1, 2021 passengers traveling from the following countries are welcome to visit Curacao:

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Aruba
• Bermuda
• Bonaire
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Montserrat
• Saba
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• St. Eustatius
• Sint Maarten
• Saint Martin
• St. Vincent and Grenadines
• Turks & Caicos

Travelers departing out of any of these islands have to take these 2 mandatory steps:

• Complete the digital immigration card online before departure at dicardcuracao.com.
• Within 48 hours before departure, you need to digitally fill out the Passenger Locator Card (PLC) and carry a printed document of proof with you. You may do so at dicardcuracao.com.

This information is subject to change depending on the situation of the country relating to the virus.

CAN WE EAT AT YOUR RESTAURANT AGAIN?
Yes. In June 2020, after a major renovation, our restaurant reopened its doors under the name 'De Heeren @ sea'. Our restaurant has a new menu and a new look-and-feel but the same cozy team and the same beautiful sea view! Our restaurant is open 7 days per week from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. To make a restaurant reservation you can call (+5999) 465-2575.

CAN WE DIVE WITH SCUBA LODGE DIVE CENTER PIETERMAAI AGAIN?
Yes, our diving school is open again for all your scuba diving and snorkeling needs. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact Daan, Manager of Scuba Lodge Dive Center, directly at diving@scubalodge.com.

WHAT SECURITY MEASURES HAVE YOU TAKEN?
All of our employees have received instructions on how to act under COVID-19. Our rooms and apartments are professionally cleaned every day. Also, the door handles, banisters, and public areas in our hotel are cleaned several times a day. This allows you to enjoy your stay with us feeling carefree and relaxed!

• All linens sanitized in high-temperature wash
• Floors marked for social distancing
• Hand sanitizer available to guests & staff
• Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
• Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
• Staff required to regularly wash hands
• Regular temperature checks for staff
• Contactless check-in
• Contactless check-out
• Doctors available 24/7
• 24-hour minimum vacancy between guests

CAN I CHANGE OR CANCEL MY EXISTING RESERVATION?
That is possible, we have adjusted our conditions so that it is easy to change or cancel a reservation free of charge. Guests who have made a reservation with us (via our website, email, or by telephone) but want to change it, are best to contact us by email: info@scubalodge.com. We will happily work on a suitable solution together.

CAN I CHANGE OR CANCEL MY EXISTING RESERVATION MADE THROUGH AN ONLINE BOOKING SITE?
If you made your reservation at Scuba Lodge through an online booking site (including Booking.com or Expedia), a travel agent or other party, please contact your booking agent for further assistance.

WHAT ARE THE RESTRICTIONS LIKE ON CURACAO?
As on February 26th, 2021, the curfew on our island will be from 00:00-04:30 AM. Restaurants and bars can stay open till 11:00 PM. Masks are required in indoor public places, such as supermarkets. You can download the Dushi Stay-app in the App Store or Google Play to stay up-to-date about any chances.