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Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
#239457
11/11/2020 11:21 AM
11/11/2020 11:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175 The Beautiful BVI
Brent
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175
The Beautiful BVI
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Ahoy Captains, Yachts may ‘quarantine’ Off The Dock, with tests only on arrival and a 4th day, at a total cost of $175/person. You can get retested for $70/person. Free shore based ‘quarantine’. Please consider this works Both Ways, to insure You and your Family and Friends are Safe and Sound for your Caribbean Escape. From the Hon Fahie Premier of the BVI https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/rem...ourable-andrew-fahie-phase-iii-reopening Here are the New Protocols for travelling to the BVI. 1. All travellers for entry to the Territory, inclusive of all citizens, Belongers, permanent residents and work permit holders, will be required to pay for the traveller app, monitoring bracelet and the required two tests (entry and four-day) at a total charge of $175 per person. This is significant reduction from what was previously mentioned. 2. Cabinet also agreed that travellers or other persons will be charged $125 for any tampering or damage to the monitoring bracelet. 3. Cabinet also agreed travellers requiring a test from a government facility to facilitate exit from the Territory will be charged seventy dollars ($70.00) per test; and 4. Cabinet also agreed for the first three months, from 1st December, 2020 until 28th February, 2021, the cost of quarantine in a Government approved property will be met by the Government of the Virgin Islands only for the following categories of persons: citizens, Belongers, permanent residents and work permit holders, exclusive of meals. And further clarification from the Hon Malone Minister of Health – https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/sta...nt-honourable-carvin-malone-tuesday-10th 1. Cabinet decided that Phase III Testing Protocol, as amended, which requires certified RT-PCR testing at various intervals and sites for all arriving travellers in order to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission while reducing quarantine requirements during the incubation period for the disease as follows: 2. Testing and quarantine protocols apply to all travellers inclusive of Tourists, Residents, Belongers and Work Permit holders; 3. Cabinet decided that all travellers will be required to download the approved app and must be issued a Travel Certificate; 4. Cabinet decided that the following tests will be required: 5. A Certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test within five days prior to arrival for all travellers from low risks countries; and within three days prior to arrival for all travellers from medium and high risks countries. 6. A test on arrival, which if negative, allows controlled movement within the confines of an approved property; and 6. A test after 4 complete days of quarantine, which if negative, allows movement within the Territory. 7. Cabinet decided that a traveller who tests positive before arrival will not be allowed to enter the Virgin Islands; 8. Cabinet decided that a positive test at any stage upon arrival will require fourteen (14) days quarantine; and for the avoidance of doubt 9. To allow a mandatory quarantine period of four (4) days within the confines of an approved property or vessel. 10. Cabinet further decided that the Protocol for Vessel Arrivals will require certified RT-PCR testing and provide for quarantine accommodations aboard vessels as well as restricted movement within Territorial waters as follows: 11. Four (4) days quarantine will be undertaken on the vessels at mooring sites to be approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration; 12. Cabinet decided that vessels will be able to move within territorial waters during the quarantine period but they may only moor at approved sites as approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration; Here are News reports – https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=32144https://bvinews.com/govt-reduces-cost-of-covid-accessories-for-all-travellers/ http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....app-bracelet-covid-19-tests-to-175-total For those of you with Shore based assets and businesses, this opens the door, perhaps within weeks, for the opening of land based tourism. I understand this is the InterWebs and therefore designed for a ‘race to the bottom’. I understand this Virus has side effects such as financial and mental health crisis. Maybe, please, we can not sabotage this specific thread with conspiracy theories and wild suspicions regarding the conditions in the BVI. I do not think it reflects well on those few of you, especially those with assets in the BVI, who continue to push your bad attitudes based on bad rumors, especially if your glass house is located in a high risk area. The BVI is taking a Huge Gamble to open it’s borders. No 8th day test, no 2 week quarantine, no virus insurance, no guards, no quarantine on the dock. With virus outbreaks in Sept the BVI Gov imposed a curfew, not a quarantine. Open Dec 1 at the Airport, and ferries by mid-Dec. Some of the cheapest yachting and airfare prices in decades. On a 2017 Leopard 45 with 4 Doubles and 1 Single and 5 Bathrooms and AirCon and a GenSet from Dec 19 to Jan 2 for 14 Nights for $14k. Fair Winds, Brent from the Captains Compass
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239459
11/11/2020 11:33 AM
11/11/2020 11:33 AM
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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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As a mere charter guest, who can only embark on an 8 day charter due to time constraints, these changes to the protocols do not move our travel needle. While I understand the BVI's need to protect citizens, I do not consider undergoing three tests (including the one taken before travel), stressfully waiting for test results, being tracked, and limited movement, a vacation. For yacht and property owners and those with the luxury of time, perhaps it can be workable. I also want to point out that COVID insurance is indeed required in the new protocols (the note above indicates it is not) as is downloading their app which has security questions. I wish the BVI and associated businesses well. We will return when we feel we can enjoy our time there more fully, knowing it may very well be far into the future.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Husker]
#239469
11/11/2020 12:38 PM
11/11/2020 12:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175 The Beautiful BVI
Brent
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175
The Beautiful BVI
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Ahoy Captains,
9. To allow a mandatory quarantine period of four (4) days within the confines of an approved property or vessel. 11. Four (4) days quarantine will be undertaken on the vessels at mooring sites to be approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration 12. Cabinet decided that vessels will be able to move within territorial waters during the quarantine period but they may only moor at approved sites
I would hope that there would be access to testing, for more than just flight arrivals, at the Beef Island Airport. But I would put a reef in the sail on that, as they say Hope is Not a Plan. And, within walking distance, the new Loose Mongoose in Trellis Bay now offers fuel/water and the opportunity to load pre-ordered provisions at the dock. However, the location in VG might have the least traffic, either VGYH or Leverick, and both have fuel/water/provisioning.
Fair Winds, Brent from the Captains Compass.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239472
11/11/2020 12:46 PM
11/11/2020 12:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148 road town
sleepychef
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
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Horizon giving the first 4 days of quarantine free for 14 dys+ bookings https://www.facebook.com/HYCBVI
Last edited by sleepychef; 11/11/2020 12:46 PM.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239473
11/11/2020 12:57 PM
11/11/2020 12:57 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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Ahoy Captains,
9. To allow a mandatory quarantine period of four (4) days within the confines of an approved property or vessel. 11. Four (4) days quarantine will be undertaken on the vessels at mooring sites to be approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration;
I would hope that there would be access to testing, for more than just flight arrivals, at the Beef Island Airport. But I would put a reef in the sail on that, as they say Hope is Not a Plan. And the new Loose Mongoose now offers fuel/water and the opportunity to load pre-ordered provisions at the dock. Whatever the location in VG might have the least traffic, either VGYH or Leverick. Both have fuel/water/provisioning.
Fair Winds, Brent from the Captains Compass.
Your points 9 and 11 are part of section ii of the updated re-entry protocols and are for "vessel arrivals". I assumed that was for cruisers entering on their own boats. Does "vessel arrivals" apply to BVI charters too?
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 11/11/2020 01:00 PM.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239490
11/11/2020 02:15 PM
11/11/2020 02:15 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,423 Bucks County, Pa.
toast
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,423
Bucks County, Pa.
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Thank you Brent for your fair and balanced appeal, we all want to be safe and enjoy our favorite place again...
Toast.......to Life; White Bay...heaven on earth. Diane
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239505
11/11/2020 05:19 PM
11/11/2020 05:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,672 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,672
Memphis, BVI, CT
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The testing and costs are fair, and a great improvement.
The app is a big concern: security and video wise. The same people are developing the portal, which still doesn't have a date. Not folks I really want to have sensitive information.
Called both the Tourist Board and Health Dept. this afternoon, and neither one knows how our house would get inspected or how we could get out there. Our neighbor sent letters to three government department, none of which responded.
As far as boaters, will they really be willing to stay off land for four full days? If Marina Cay is one of the approved mooring fields, I can see folks using our private docks - a perennial problem - or hiking around private property.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239519
11/11/2020 09:08 PM
11/11/2020 09:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175 The Beautiful BVI
Brent
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 175
The Beautiful BVI
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Ahoy Captains, I understand there is an outstanding issue regarding ‘The Good Ole’ Days’. It is ironic, that maybe the closest We can get to Those Days, for the next few years, with No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics, will be on a Yacht in the BVI. And all it takes are a few simple precautions to protect You and your Family and Friends. My main concern now is the health of my Guests before they arrive. I fear as the Hurricane Season ends in the Caribbean that a Viral Cat 5 Hurricane Season will hit North America without those same precautions. I hope every TTOL Member and their Family and Friends will use every resource to stay healthy. #10 “The Protocol for Vessel Arrivals will require certified RT-PCR testing”. Yachts can’t be the subject of a PCR test. Inductively, I would assume, therefore making an ‘[censored]’ of myself, that this is a declarative sentence with Arrivals as the subject and Vessel as the predicate, without getting into NewSpeak. Sorry, not arriving yachts, but Individuals arriving associated with a vessel need tests, then out for 4 days sailing around the Sunny Caribbean with probably the channel islands for the first few nights, then a quick test, and grab a cold six pack from the beach bar, and It’s a Pirate’s Life! Maybe some of the land based business can network with an entrepreneurial yacht charter business and offer a ½ Surf & ½ Turf Vacation to generate cash flow in the short term, hopefully opening more opportunities for both. Went into BVI Gov Environmental Health today. They confirmed that Bareboat and Crewed Yachts can leave the dock to ‘quarantine’ with No Masks and No Distancing. And they are due in tomorrow to ‘Gold Certify’ my business. Thank you for the compliments. Sorry to the same few with the same old problems. Lots of new friends with the same old problems, Open your eyes, You might see If our lives were that simple, We'd live in the past, If the phone doesn't ring, It's me If the phone doesn't ring, You'll know that it's me, I'll be out in the eye of the storm … (Literally with Cat 5 Irma) If the phone doesn't ring, You know that I'll be, Where someone can make me feel warm It's too bad we can't turn, And live in the past, If the phone doesn't ring, It's me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6Oh7NVuwEk Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239533
11/12/2020 07:49 AM
11/12/2020 07:49 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277 Saint Thomas, USVI
CaptainJay
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,277
Saint Thomas, USVI
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"It is ironic, that maybe the closest We can get to Those Days, for the next few years, with No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics, will be on a Yacht in the BVI."
No, it will be on a yacht in the USVI, with no tracking app, reasonable testing protocols, better health care in an emergency all in a US jurisdiction. Couple that with better airlift and the St John National park.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: NCSailor]
#239538
11/12/2020 10:16 AM
11/12/2020 10:16 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215 JAX
jphart
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,215
JAX
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I can’t see spending my money to be put into quarantine for four days and have to pay for an app that spies on you. I guess there are some people who like to be spanked and told how they must behave. There are other places to travel to
Even with these changes the BVI will see 5% of the usual charters, if that. It's just not worth the hassle and expense. Vacation is supposed to be relaxing. The BVI can't even get the ferry system to run well. This Covid protocol is way beyond the government's ability to manage. The BVI government is committing suicide while we standby watching. Damage is worse than hurricanes. I feel badly for boat owners as the government hold their boats hostage. We won’t be back, too big of a world to see.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239551
11/12/2020 12:28 PM
11/12/2020 12:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251 Okla
ScurvyD
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 251
Okla
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Do we even know if you can arrive to Tortola by ferry????
I'd like to be a jelly fish, cause jelly fish don't pay rent.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: ScurvyD]
#239552
11/12/2020 12:29 PM
11/12/2020 12:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 835
Redmond, WA
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Do we even know if you can arrive to Tortola by ferry???? Starting December 8th according to latest information.
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239696
11/14/2020 10:38 AM
11/14/2020 10:38 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148 road town
sleepychef
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: Brent]
#239728
11/14/2020 04:02 PM
11/14/2020 04:02 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,270 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,270
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
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I am sure some folks think I am bring negative. let me give you my travel day to the BVI
Get up around 4 AM Drive to Miami, about 2.5 hours. Park at the local hotel, bring my baggage to the shuttle. Shuttle takes me to the airport. Shuttle drops off about 500 ft from baggage area. Drag baggage across 6 lanes of traffic. Give to baggage clerk and get tickets. Find a wheelchair to use thru airport. Go thru TSA and finally after about 30 min get to the gate, Bring carryon onto aircraft and sit into seat. Takes about 2 hours to STT At Stt grab my carryon and myself down the rolling metal stairs . Walk to the main building and wait for my luggage to arrive.Pull luggage off the luggage carousel. Bring the luggage outside to the crowded taxis. Try and get inside the crowded taxis. Wiat 10-20 min for them to load up. Get to the ferry dock about 15 min latter.Lug the luggage to the ferry counter.Figure out which ferry to use.. Wait for the ferry. About 1-2 hours later get to roadtown. Stand in line to go thru customs and immigration (Also collect my luggage for the mound of luggage.)This takes 30 min to1 hour. Go thru covid test. Go thru paperwork. Wait for speedy ferry to bring me to VG. Finally I am on VG around 6PM , so over 14 hours of travel.
Now with covid there are additional steps. Trying to get a covid test within 3 days of travel. Trying to get insurance that works Trying to download the BVI documents.
Does this sound like a lot of fun to the beginning of a vacation.? No problem quarantining the first day. I am exhausted.
tpcook
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#239729
11/14/2020 04:12 PM
11/14/2020 04:12 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
sail445
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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This spreadsheet summarizes the Eastern Caribbean entry protocols. There are 6 countries that do not even allow US residents to enter. Out of the rest, it looks like the BVI is about average on test, quarantine, and cost. Whether or not the BVI is average isn’t going to improve tourism. To many if’s that there aren’t answers for. We all know you can call a government agency 10 times for information on the laws and regulations and get ten different answers.
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: tpcook]
#239730
11/14/2020 04:18 PM
11/14/2020 04:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902
Central Florida!
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tpcook--not really a vacation so far, for sure, but hopefully from here, it's all downhill.
Carol Hill
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: tpcook]
#239732
11/14/2020 04:26 PM
11/14/2020 04:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902
Central Florida!
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No, I think I mean downhill. Downhill is easier than uphill, eh?
Carol Hill
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Re: Very Good News for Yachting in the BVI with New Protocols
[Re: sail445]
#239739
11/14/2020 07:19 PM
11/14/2020 07:19 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 spreadsheet summarizes the Eastern Caribbean entry protocols. There are 6 countries that do not even allow US residents to enter. Out of the rest, it looks like the BVI is about average on test, quarantine, and cost. Whether or not the BVI is average isn’t going to improve tourism. To many if’s that there aren’t answers for. We all know you can call a government agency 10 times for information on the laws and regulations and get ten different answers. My only point was there are places that are harder so running somewhere else is limited. There are definitely easier places to go but there are also harder places to go. The BVI is finding a middle ground and it won't make everybody happy again but safety is an issue that is being strongly considered here. My guess is that by mid or late January most of the world will be back to not travelling. Trends are not looking good.
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