A US travel website has warned tourists without a Covid-19 vaccination to avoid Bermuda because of its strict health precautions.

Melanie Lieberman of The Points Guy – a website focused on the use of air miles – said that other destinations had opened up their borders, but Bermuda’s restrictions had got tighter.

Ms Lieberman said: “The flight to Bermuda from the New York City area is short and painless, to be sure.

“But in addition to the PCR test taken prior to departure, visitors also need to apply for travel authorisation one to three days before arrival with the negative test result.

“The authorisation costs $75 and covers the cost of an on-arrival test.”

She added: “Even after landing at Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport, travellers aren’t in the clear. I waited for roughly an hour at the airport while my documents were checked.”

Ms Lieberman said: “Often, being able to provide proof of vaccination is like waving a gold ticket: You can typically avoid most testing and quarantine requirements.

“It wasn’t until after I returned from Bermuda that the requirements for unvaccinated travellers became even more onerous.

“Now, a quick trip to Bermuda is more or less implausible for travellers who aren’t inoculated, since a 14-day quarantine at a government-approved hotel is now required.”

She said that the cost of tests in Bermuda could be a problem for families and that if a tourist contracted Covid-19 on the island, quarantine would be expensive.

Ms Lieberman added: “If that doesn’t make your beach vacation a bit more stressful than usual, I don’t know what would.”

She said: “Bermuda is hardly the only place adding or enhancing Covid-19 restrictions, of course – and some destinations in the region have similarly strict protocols.

“But for fully vaccinated travellers seeking a quick beach escape, destinations such as Aruba, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, which currently only require a single negative test result taken prior to arrival – along with pre-travel forms – may make more sense at this time.”

She added that travel to Bermuda was “not impossible”, but made little sense for unvaccinated travellers – and anyone who picked the island as a destination should consider the extra expense and stress of their trip.

Ms Lieberman said: “The island is open to visitors, but for many people, it may be best to wait to visit.

“And for unvaccinated travellers, the message is more than clear.”