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U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers #244698
01/12/2021 06:47 PM
01/12/2021 06:47 PM
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MIDiver Offline OP
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Just saw this in BVI Alive: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...jTEOG9dU6hJX8Wg32v6IEZYeuNinniwfRzokCE5A

Anyone have additonal details? Wonder if it will apply to travelers from STT and SJU as they are technically the US?

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Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244703
01/12/2021 07:23 PM
01/12/2021 07:23 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,347
USVI
LocalSailor Offline
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Here is another article -- whether the USVI will be considered international is unknown -- sometimes we suffer that and sometimes we don't!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to...al-visitors-11610472867?mod=hp_lead_pos2

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: LocalSailor] #244706
01/12/2021 08:15 PM
01/12/2021 08:15 PM
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MIDiver Offline OP
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Well Local...I suppose we wait and see. Looking at the flight load out of STT on any given day, let alone the weekends, there is no way the USVI could handle the required volume of tests on a daily basis. Just hoping I don't have to cancel yet another charter. Ah well.

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244714
01/12/2021 08:38 PM
01/12/2021 08:38 PM
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Virginia wishing STJ
TomB Offline
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I keep reading all the pages of what one has to do to enter the USVI and all I do is confuse myself.
Is there anyone that can break down the sequence of events to be able to enter the islands.

For example only - I want to book a cottage on Jan 31 for 10 days on St John,
Can anyone give me the timeline....
When can one safely book an airline ticket
When can one book the villa
etc....

Here is the sequence of events....
1.
2.
3.
4.

Any help would be appreciated. I do not want to by airline tickets or rent a villa only to find that we cannot meet the timeline.

thanks


“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: TomB] #244717
01/12/2021 08:44 PM
01/12/2021 08:44 PM
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MIDiver Offline OP
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There is nothing prohibiting you from booking your accomodations or airline flights. You can do that at any time (although you are cutting it close). If you wanted to book a jeep you needed to do that yesterday. I would call all the rental outfits on STJ tomorrow and see if one is still available for your dates.

You must have a negative COVID test taken up to 5 days before arrival, or a positive antibody test, and must register on the USVI travel portal to allow entry. https://usvitravelportal.com/

It is now unclear if you will be required to have a negative COVID test in order to be permitted to re-enter the US. https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0112-negative-covid-19-air-passengers.html If you do, then you will have to obtain one in the USVI three days before departure.


Last edited by MIDiver; 01/12/2021 09:20 PM. Reason: clarify
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244721
01/12/2021 09:13 PM
01/12/2021 09:13 PM
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jphart Offline
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Tom, I agree w MIDiver. Just need a negative COVID test within 72 hours of 5 days prior arrival, and uploaded an approved test on the USVI portal. OR, positive antibody test within 4 months. Must be a CLIA approved lab.

Not sure about return to mainland USA

Last edited by jphart; 01/12/2021 11:13 PM. Reason: Corrected to Five days
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: jphart] #244724
01/12/2021 09:22 PM
01/12/2021 09:22 PM
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MIDiver Offline OP
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jphart - did they change the pre-arrival test timeline? I thought it was 5 days prior to arrival.

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244729
01/12/2021 11:17 PM
01/12/2021 11:17 PM
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jphart Offline
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Originally Posted by MIDiver
jphart - did they change the pre-arrival test timeline? I thought it was 5 days prior to arrival.

You are right! I’ve corrected accordingly. Thanks for the correction.

I linked a listing to other countries in the Worldwide forum for other reference resources.

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: TomB] #244731
01/12/2021 11:27 PM
01/12/2021 11:27 PM
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Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Online content
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Here is the sequence of events....

1. Find an available cottage on St. John. If you can't, consider St. Thomas. We stayed on St. Thomas last February and were very pleasantly surprised. We really liked Sapphire Beach Resort.
2. Book your flights. Remember that most airlines are allowing changes to flights without a penalty.
3. Schedule COVID test for January 26th first thing in the morning.
4. Get COVID results and apply online for entry. Here is the website: https://usvitravelportal.com/

We did this in November and it was pretty painless.


Sue
s/v Ripple
Leopard 40

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Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244819
01/13/2021 03:41 PM
01/13/2021 03:41 PM
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Virginia wishing STJ
TomB Offline
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Thanks for all the inputs
I think it is time to escape to warm air and blue water. smile


“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: TomB] #244822
01/13/2021 03:49 PM
01/13/2021 03:49 PM
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Tom--well, make sure this new BS doesn't apply to entries from either SJU or STT, which is not at all clear..


Carol Hill
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244829
01/13/2021 04:36 PM
01/13/2021 04:36 PM
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Saint Thomas, USVI
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Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: CaptainJay] #244835
01/13/2021 05:24 PM
01/13/2021 05:24 PM
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Southeast of Disorder
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Originally Posted by CaptainJay


Its probably me, and I read thru it too fast, but where does it say that the USVI is exempt?

Thanks


Peter
s/y Time Will Tell (2019 Lagoon 42)
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Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244839
01/13/2021 05:37 PM
01/13/2021 05:37 PM
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Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: LocalSailor] #244841
01/13/2021 05:48 PM
01/13/2021 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by LocalSailor


Yeah, I missed that! I presume yopu mean the part where it says that
United States has the same meaning as "State" and "U.S. Territory" in ....

Thanks!


Peter
s/y Time Will Tell (2019 Lagoon 42)
peter@syTimeWillTell.com

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: Time Will Tell] #244843
01/13/2021 05:59 PM
01/13/2021 05:59 PM
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sail445 Offline
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Originally Posted by Time Will Tell
Originally Posted by CaptainJay


Its probably me, and I read thru it too fast, but where does it say that the USVI is exempt?

Thanks

The USVI is a US territory, flying into the US from the USVI would be like flying from Fl to NY

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244878
01/14/2021 09:48 AM
01/14/2021 09:48 AM
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Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by CaptainJay


The USVI is a US territory, flying into the US from the USVI would be like flying from Fl to NY


And yet standing at STT boarding a flight to Miami I have to go thru a C&I check - something not required in any flight I have taken from FL to NY. Somehow the territories are sometimes viewed entirely differently than states - hence why people are trying to figure out if the testing requirement applies to USVI. Would not even ask if I was just thinking of flying to NY


Peter
s/y Time Will Tell (2019 Lagoon 42)
peter@syTimeWillTell.com

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: Time Will Tell] #244888
01/14/2021 10:55 AM
01/14/2021 10:55 AM
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sail445 Offline
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C&I has nothing to do with COVIT.
Unless something has changed you don’t require a test.
I flew to the states a couple of weeks ago from St Thomas and a test wasn’t required.
BTW Flights from Puerto Rico to the states doesn’t require C&I

Last edited by sail445; 01/14/2021 11:04 AM. Reason: Addition
Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: Time Will Tell] #244895
01/14/2021 12:00 PM
01/14/2021 12:00 PM
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MIDiver Offline OP
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USVI tourism and Delta have confirmed that, at least at this point in time, passengers departing from the USVI back to the mainland are not subject to this new regulation.

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: MIDiver] #244899
01/14/2021 12:34 PM
01/14/2021 12:34 PM
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This goes way back...

Q: We recently returned from a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Why did we have to go through Customs to board our return flight when we never left U.S. territory?

"What is seldom known is that the U.S. Virgin Islands is outside what is called 'Customs territory.' Since the acquisition of the Virgin Islands by the U.S. from Denmark [in 1916], by treaty, customs fees are assessed using local law.

When traveling to one of the U.S. insular possessions, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam, you are required to clear Customs and Border Protection and are entitled to a $1,600 duty-free exemption, as long as you are there for 48 hours or more."

The duty-free allotment of $1,600 in the Virgin Islands is twice as much as nearby Caribbean countries. In other words, you may want to pack an extra bag for tax-free purchases the next time you head to this tropical paradise.

No duty free when travelling from FL to NY.

Not sure how this affects the STT Covid testing policy.


Chuck W.

Re: U.S. to require negative COVID-19 tests for international air passengers [Re: cwoody] #244907
01/14/2021 01:35 PM
01/14/2021 01:35 PM
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sail445 Offline
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Originally Posted by cwoody
This goes way back...

Q: We recently returned from a trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Why did we have to go through Customs to board our return flight when we never left U.S. territory?

"What is seldom known is that the U.S. Virgin Islands is outside what is called 'Customs territory.' Since the acquisition of the Virgin Islands by the U.S. from Denmark [in 1916], by treaty, customs fees are assessed using local law.

When traveling to one of the U.S. insular possessions, such as the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or Guam, you are required to clear Customs and Border Protection and are entitled to a $1,600 duty-free exemption, as long as you are there for 48 hours or more."

The duty-free allotment of $1,600 in the Virgin Islands is twice as much as nearby Caribbean countries. In other words, you may want to pack an extra bag for tax-free purchases the next time you head to this tropical paradise.

No duty free when travelling from FL to NY.

Not sure how this affects the STT Covid testing policy.


The third paragraph is incorrect you you don’t have to clear customs when entering the USVI.
You have to clear Customs when leaving the USVI for the USA due to the fact that USVI is a Freeport.


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