New travel regulations on unvaccinated visitors to the island have been eased for minors – two days after the rules came into effect.

Regulations that came into force on Monday initially required non-residents of 12 and older to be fully immunised to enter the island, whether by air or sea.

However, health officials yesterday said visitors to Bermuda aged 18 and older must be fully immunised.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, said the age had been upped because “the vaccine roll-out for children in the countries of our gateway cities has been good but inconsistent, particularly in the UK”.

She added: “There, children have received a first dose but often not a second dose.

“This means they are not able to be fully vaccinated as a result of UK Government policy.

“The shift to allow all non-resident minors to be landed acknowledges a vaccination situation which is beyond the control of families wishing to visit Bermuda.”

Under the regulations, unvaccinated non-residents aged 17 or below can come to the island either unaccompanied or with vaccinated parents or guardians.

Ms Wilson reminded the public that unvaccinated Bermudians or residents were required to quarantine on arrival for 14 days.

But they will have to commit to quarantining alone or without other household members, or be able to attest that they can quarantine with adults agreeing to quarantine with them.

Otherwise they must quarantine at a paid accommodation at their own expense.

Unvaccinated Bermudians or residents who return to Bermuda are fitted with an electronic monitoring device at the airport, and any household members will be given a red quarantine wristband.

Travel requirements are online here.