Live update on the reopening protocols.

By Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie
and
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone

Tuesday 10 November at 8:00 PM

Facebook Live, ZBVI Radio 780, cbn Radio 90.9 FM, CBN TV Channel 101 on Flow

BVI Government Facebook Announcement Page

Does anyone have a heads up on what will be shared /changed?

I have seen two things in the last couple of weeks - the release of the guides for the various businesses who interact with tourists/visitors and a statement made on ZBVI Radio from the Premier indicating they would not be reducing or removing the 4 day quarantine. I don't know how to interpret the quarantine comment (I didn't hear the broadcast) so that would be something to listen for in tonight's broadcast.

Just more BS. Lets move on as these regulations don't not work for us. Start a dialog on how to enter when a person gets the vaccine. That is only fair as that person would be covid free so should not have to undergo any of these regulations.

Negative test before arrival within 5 days (low risk countries). within 3 days (med/high risk countries)

4 day quarantine, boats can move between designated mooring field .

restest on 4th day once negative you are free to move within the territory

Total cost for the 2 tests and tracking app bracelet. $175.00

SleepyChef,

What are the designated mooring fields? 2-3 or 5 plus?

Can they stop and snorkel ?

I am afraid that "the Plan" will continue to be over-restricted. In my time in USVI (5 weeks in July- August), boaters seemed to keep "social distancing" even without a government mandate, remaining in their "boat bubble" even when at beaches.

yes they can snorkel, they will release the mooring fields for the first 4 days once the committee decides.

Still not worth it for a 7-8 day charter. Especially when test results take 18-24 hours. Would not have full clearance until day 5. I really don't want to take 3 tests within a week and then another test to clear into USVI to grab my flight. I do wish them well and hope things improve so the 2022 season can be a bit more enjoyable.

Sounds good

It’s a improvement!

So $175 for all tests, app/angle bracelet $70 test when you leave. 4 day quarantine, can move about in a compound. 3 tests in BVI including exit test. 5 day covid test before you enter BVI from low risk area 3 day for high risk. This is for a villa. Sounds double to me.

It is all about keeping the residents/island safe so it is nice of you to care!

If they cared they wouldn’t charge these exorbitant fees, the government is abusing the tourist like the taxis and everyone in the tourism business.

My issue is that the BVI Government announces, with great fanfare, the reopening of the island to tourism so as to appease their constituency. But the conditions imposed, at least on paper and to date, are so restrictive that they know that very few tourists will come.

They should be truthful to the residents and visitors alike and state that due to the risks to the populace the BVI will remain isolated until conditions change. But to avoid that outcry, they've resorted to obfuscation and misdirection.

There is a cost associated with the 2 tests and the app/bracelet. I don't see $175 as being exorbitant. I'd guess it's about at their cost. When i look at testing centers in central Ohio, I am seeing a cost of $135+ for voluntary tests not covered by insurance.

This is all very true. It is their country and they have every right to set the rules as they prefer. What they should not have done however was announced with great fanfare that they were open for business 1 Dec. They should have been honest about their intentions. I think they hoped once people had booked accommodations and airfare they would come anyway. They were very wrong.

From the positive responses I take it that you are able to get an RT-PCR test done somewhere nearby with a three-day turn-around?

No problem on test in the Charlotte NC area.

Do we qualify as "residents" when we have "permission to reside status"..can stay 12 months but have to register each year..cant vote..cant work? Someone?

Yes. Even us lower status work permit people fall into that category.

Malcolm, as of Dec.1 everyone is treated the same in terms of testing and four-day quarantine. You could go earlier, but (as I understand it) you would still need to pay $3500 and quarantine for two weeks. Decision is a no-brainer.

Look's like that cruise ship out of Barbados had similar testing requirements in place.
1. Test before arrival, 2. test on arrival, 3. test on forth day...
But on the forth day someone tested positive... how you have a real mess.

Has the BVI announced a policy for what happens if you have positive test on the forth day?

Yes. A positive test would require another 10 days of quarantine to get you to the normal 14 days. The way it currently works for residents is you're retested on day 13 and day 14. If both tests are negative you are released from quarantine. And yes, the traveler would be responsible for the cost of quarantine days.

If you're unwell enough to be hospitalized, it's possible your COVID-19 insurance may repatriate you but that's a pretty severe case.

This is probably a dumb question but, Would arriving from the US be considered high risk???

Yes. I think when the border restrictions started in March, the BVI Govt. used the CDC ratings seen here.

It's possible they used a WHO rating but I can't find that any longer. Most likely any rating system would place the USA in the high risk category currently.

Scurvy D, both high risk and medium risk countries are being treated together when it comes to the "test with 3 days" rule. Those 2 grades of risk include almost everybody now.