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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: bailau]
#236513
10/08/2020 01:07 PM
10/08/2020 01:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,268 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,268
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
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You can do nothing as the premier is a stubborn person with little exposure to the real world. he will just run the economy into the ground and then say he needs to increase fees and taxes. Sorry, but that is what I see.
tpcook
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: fromaway3774]
#236517
10/08/2020 02:15 PM
10/08/2020 02:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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This really makes me doubt whether or not I should book in the BVI's for April 2021. I have a credit with Sunsail from April 2020 that I was planning to use next year. And while I can wrap my head around testing requirements, the quarantine and not being able to book airfare into EIS until 5 days prior are deal breakers. I have my flights into STT already, and would entertain a puddle jumper to EIS if I had to, but not being able to book until last minute is worrisome. Also, if I had already rebooked for next April but decided that the quarantine and other entry requirements were really too tough to make it worthwhile, would I be eligible for rebooking with no penalty since the BVI's would technically be open? I think I'll hang on to my credit a little longer and entertain other Sunsail destinations as an alternative. I think the seaports being closed will be very short term. There will be too much volume for the airport and too much pressure from the ferry companies. The Premier has stated they would release the planned opening dates in the next couple of weeks so if you can wait that long, I think your issue will be resolved. My guess is January or February 1 for ferries.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: fromaway3774]
#236521
10/08/2020 02:46 PM
10/08/2020 02:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,373 Washington DC
bailau
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,373
Washington DC
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This really makes me doubt whether or not I should book in the BVI's for April 2021. I have a credit with Sunsail from April 2020 that I was planning to use next year. And while I can wrap my head around testing requirements, the quarantine and not being able to book airfare into EIS until 5 days prior are deal breakers. I have my flights into STT already, and would entertain a puddle jumper to EIS if I had to, but not being able to book until last minute is worrisome. Also, if I had already rebooked for next April but decided that the quarantine and other entry requirements were really too tough to make it worthwhile, would I be eligible for rebooking with no penalty since the BVI's would technically be open? I think I'll hang on to my credit a little longer and entertain other Sunsail destinations as an alternative. You also need to consider risk of Moorings/Sunsail going out of business...I have a credit as well and plan to use in the May time frame if not sooner...
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#236522
10/08/2020 02:50 PM
10/08/2020 02:50 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,671 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,671
Memphis, BVI, CT
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I suspect there are a few issues with the USVI ferries. If a local gets a Covid test, will he be allowed to go to St. Thomas, stay overnight and return the following day? If there is testing on arrival, where will they do it? What about quarantine? And what if there is a spike in cases? They may see how it goes.
If guests fly into Beef and transfer to Guana or Necker, for example, the risk is fairly small. That is probably the safe end of the spectrum. Then there are all the other situations.
They have had since March to come up with a plan, buy testing equipment, and figure this out. Unfortunately planning is not a BVI strong suit.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: bailau]
#236526
10/08/2020 03:16 PM
10/08/2020 03:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 535 Bay Area
Husker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 535
Bay Area
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This really makes me doubt whether or not I should book in the BVI's for April 2021. I have a credit with Sunsail from April 2020 that I was planning to use next year. And while I can wrap my head around testing requirements, the quarantine and not being able to book airfare into EIS until 5 days prior are deal breakers. I have my flights into STT already, and would entertain a puddle jumper to EIS if I had to, but not being able to book until last minute is worrisome. Also, if I had already rebooked for next April but decided that the quarantine and other entry requirements were really too tough to make it worthwhile, would I be eligible for rebooking with no penalty since the BVI's would technically be open? I think I'll hang on to my credit a little longer and entertain other Sunsail destinations as an alternative. You also need to consider risk of Moorings/Sunsail going out of business...I have a credit as well and plan to use in the May time frame if not sooner... I think Moorings/Sunsail is the lowest risk of going out of business of all the charter companies. They have robust financial backing.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: bailau]
#236531
10/08/2020 03:45 PM
10/08/2020 03:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 737 Panama City Beach, Florida
xrayman67
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 737
Panama City Beach, Florida
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This really makes me doubt whether or not I should book in the BVI's for April 2021. I have a credit with Sunsail from April 2020 that I was planning to use next year. And while I can wrap my head around testing requirements, the quarantine and not being able to book airfare into EIS until 5 days prior are deal breakers. I have my flights into STT already, and would entertain a puddle jumper to EIS if I had to, but not being able to book until last minute is worrisome. Also, if I had already rebooked for next April but decided that the quarantine and other entry requirements were really too tough to make it worthwhile, would I be eligible for rebooking with no penalty since the BVI's would technically be open? I think I'll hang on to my credit a little longer and entertain other Sunsail destinations as an alternative. You also need to consider risk of Moorings/Sunsail going out of business...I have a credit as well and plan to use in the May time frame if not sooner... We rebooked our May 2020 charter with Sunsail for May 2021. Just finalized flights yesterday through SJU to EIS. Charter starts May 19. Sunsail sent me an upgrade from a 38 to a 41.0 this week. Also, Delta put a $100 credit in mine and my wife's Skymiles account back in September. I'm not sure why, but they're good through the end of next year.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: MIDiver]
#236539
10/08/2020 05:08 PM
10/08/2020 05:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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"Unreasonable" depends on where you intend to stay and where you have to return to for the additional testing. Probably makes many out islands nearly impossible and if on charter you have to return to base. Then what happens if you test positive on day 5? The testing on day 5, both in the Bahamas and BVI really makes little sense as incubation can take longer. I noticed that you can't determine the cost of your "Visa" until you upload your test along with number of travel days. It would take some planning, but it looks like 20 testing locations so it should be manageable. I would think you could cover all of the BVI with less than 10 locations.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: ecm56]
#236541
10/08/2020 05:22 PM
10/08/2020 05:22 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,061 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,061
GA/NC
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"Unfortunately planning is not a BVI strong suit." The understatement of the year.
They keep stating they only have 8 ventilators. Perhaps they should have picked up a few more. They are not in short supply and thousands are stored in the US.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: tpcook]
#236546
10/08/2020 07:04 PM
10/08/2020 07:04 PM
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,167
MIDiver
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,167
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: ecm56]
#236549
10/08/2020 07:31 PM
10/08/2020 07:31 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,061 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,061
GA/NC
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#236551
10/08/2020 08:03 PM
10/08/2020 08:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 986 Northern Virginia
ecm56
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 986
Northern Virginia
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I don't see any of the governments going for the idea of pre-departure self-isolation as there is almost no way to verify it. I'm willing to do whatever testing they want but if they want to do tests during our stay, it needs to be convenient, i.e., local to whatever island I am on (that will almost always be Anegada). The whole idea of testing before booking air lines . . . there are so many problems with that I can't imagine them all.
I suspect there will be some changes when the cabinet finally votes. I also fully expect they will have to modify the protocols as they learn what works and what doesn't work.
Last edited by ecm56; 10/08/2020 08:03 PM. Reason: fixed typo
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: ecm56]
#236553
10/08/2020 08:22 PM
10/08/2020 08:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040 Charlotte, NC
NCSailor
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
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The Premier threw the health minister under the bus, saying the 4 day quarantine proposal came from the Health department. I suspect some of this was a test to see what the response would be. I'm sure they would like as much time as they can get but if they push too far they will lose many potential tourists.
You are giving these clowns way too much credit about floating a trial balloon. The reality is they are incompetent and can't get their act together,
Last edited by NCSailor; 10/08/2020 08:23 PM.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#236573
10/09/2020 08:51 AM
10/09/2020 08:51 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 800 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 800
Kannapolis, NC
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I was just wondering, if soon after opening back up to tourist a small outbreak of the virus happens. Which I suspect will happen. Will they lockdown again? And if so, will I be able to get out? It just seems awful risky to go down soon no matter what the protocols are. At least for the short term. Trust me, if things were "normal" we would be on Anegada in November. But are now thinking May. The Dec 1 opening should not have been announced without a plan in place.
Winterstale, thank you for the morning laugh. It has to be Boaty Ball, right!?!?!?
Go Irish!!
Bill
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#236579
10/09/2020 09:26 AM
10/09/2020 09:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I was just wondering, if soon after opening back up to tourist a small outbreak of the virus happens. Which I suspect will happen. Will they lockdown again? And if so, will I be able to get out? It just seems awful risky to go down soon no matter what the protocols are. At least for the short term. Trust me, if things were "normal" we would be on Anegada in November. But are now thinking May. The Dec 1 opening should not have been announced without a plan in place.
Winterstale, thank you for the morning laugh. It has to be Boaty Ball, right!?!?!? Based on earlier outbreaks and lockdowns, the government may implement some sort of curfew to limit movement but you should still be able to leave. Throughout our ongoing curfews, people have been traveling out via water taxi and flights. On a similar note, I just saw the Bahamas implemented a 24hr weekend curfew starting 7pm tonight thru Tuesday 5am and a night curfew starting Tuesday for New Providence and Abaco. I doubt we'll see that here again but things do change. Be prepared.
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#236602
10/09/2020 12:04 PM
10/09/2020 12:04 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175 The Beautiful BVI
Brent
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175
The Beautiful BVI
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Ahoy Captains,
I love the InterWebs. All this based on One uncorroborated report from an obscure web site with little traffic or advertising or vetting. In the past few months various BVI Gov Officials have ‘Proposed’ No anchoring, 200 private ‘Medicinal’ marijuana farms, No open holding tanks, 2 week Quarantines, No labor permit renewals, $6000 Quarantines, ‘picket’ barges over a free RN Offshore Patrol Vessel, etc … And most of these proposals have been announced late at night, within hours of their implementation, outside of the Premiers Office, and most have been Walked Back within weeks, especially issues regarding Quarantines. Please consider waiting for this Stakeholder Consultation process to run its course before making any big travel decisions, or, if you are plotting a course based on a single post from a strangers Fakebook page then hire a Captain for your next charter. The BVI has recently gone through a Level Orange / Level 3 Virus infection and there was a curfew but no Quarantine. Please consider, before you ‘stick a fork’ in the BVI for the next 9 months, how far the BVI has progressed in opening for tourism in the past few months and how far the Internatinoal Medical Testing and Treatment and Vaccines have progressed in the past few months. There are new solutions being developed, literally, every day. The BVI now has a Date, and Everyone in the World is working on hitting a moving target from a moving base. Please correct me, sincerely, if you can suggest a vacation that offers better Physical and Mental health advantages this Winter, surrounded by certified healthy Family and Friends, and loaded to the gunnels with fresh food and fine liquors, with No Masks and No Distancing, than the ‘bubble’ of a Yacht in the BVI? Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#236603
10/09/2020 12:04 PM
10/09/2020 12:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 834 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 834
Redmond, WA
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Why don't we wait to see what they actually decide on doing?
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Thoughts on the proposed BVI protocol...
[Re: Brent]
#236606
10/09/2020 12:31 PM
10/09/2020 12:31 PM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901 Maine
Breeze
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
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