Entry to BVI Closed as of Thursday, March 19th

Hi all. Bad news for all of those with vacations planned. The Premiere just had a news conference where he announced all entry to the BVI is banned starting this Thursday, March 19th. The ban excludes: Belongers, Full Time Residents and Work Permit Holders.

I missed the time frame. But at least two weeks. Possibly up to 30 days.

The notice I just read said no entry for at least one month.

Link?

Will the high court be working? It's been three weeks and the judge did not arranged any hearings or issued judgment. Can't believe how inefficient they could be.

www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment

pertinent part....

6. Cabinet endorsed that entry into the British Virgin Islands by sea or air be prohibited with effect from Thursday, 19th March, 2020 for all passengers, who are not nationals, Belongers, Work Permit Holders or persons ordinarily resident in the Territory, or their dependents. The travel restriction will not apply to flight crews, diplomats or freight, cargo or courier craft or vessels;

7. Cabinet also agreed that visitors and crew members to the BVI, who are not nationals, Belongers, Work Permit Holders or persons ordinarily resident in the Territory, or their dependents and permanent resident, who have traveled to, from or through countries specified on the Special Interest Group List and the Very High Risk Country List within a period of 14 days or less will not be allowed to enter the British Virgin Islands. (These lists are reviewed daily and Special Interest Group List includes China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, France, Spain and Germany and the Very High Risk Country List includes: United States of America, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway).

For the latest updates on COVID-19 visit bvi.gov.vg/COVID-19

sad but inevitable news
sorry for all you guys who live and work there & to all the businesses dependant on tourism, keep well & keep safe x

Clarification?.....The Special Interest List breaks down the USA by state.

BVI Special Interest List

Does the state you are from make any difference?

No tourist entry to BVI as of tomorrow.

I wonder if they are going to be running empty ferries from the USVI to get people to St. Thomas? If I were currently in the BVI and wanted to get back to the US any time soon, I would get to STT. There is bedlam in ST. Maarten right now, of people trying to get flights back to the US..

I'm guessing one could also charter a flight to San Juan.

OMG! Do you think the BVI gov't might extend the closure to more than 30 days? We are due to fly into St. Thomas early afternoon April 28, which is ten or so days past the 30 day halt. Our plans were to ferry straight over to Roadtown for one night to do some shopping and then on to Virgin Gorda for three weeks. If the entry closure is extended we will be off island and off vacation. Any knowledge, advice, suggestions, or input appreciated. My wife is debating re-scheduling for July, maybe. Oh, and we live near Richmond, VA. and our flight is on Delta...Help appreciated...Thanks.

Makes me wish I could hop a flight there today, get on my boat, and take her for a little sail back to Florida! Then just stay on her for the duration!!!!

Everything is in a state of flux right now...I will update here with any "real" facts and news I here..

I haven't been able to find any mention of time frame yet. Has anyone seen anything official?

No...I listened to the speech and it isnt mentioned by him nor quoted in what i reprinted above

Mal... Jason... hearts out to you both, and other business operators
Who could have expected this hysteria to reach this level... and affect so many

May things settle down... quickly... so all can relax

30 days.

Link here: https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31396

It’s definitely possible. It will depend a lot on how the situation in America goes I have to imagine.

Hi Peter, we're here now and doing the debate about extending past Sunday. Tortuga is literally being finished for handover today. Our children are older, the dog is well cared for, there are no cases here, we've been here over a week and are asymptomatic so we believe we aren't endangering anyone here(but are still keeping some distance).

No one knows but we don't believe they'll reduce the flights out till next week, in the meantime, with no one else coming in, the flights out should be pretty empty by next week, and less panicked than they are now.

Today is decision day but I think we're leaning toward staying. The draw of staying in paradise is far outweighing returning to sitting on my tail at my house.

You two be safe, Dave.

We are still planning to fly next Thursday, ferry to STT on Wed. I went by the WE ferry terminal yesterday and they are running full service but will probably reduce that on Monday. The lady told me it may be service only of of Road Town. Our flight is still scheduled on AA and our lady in Sonoma has found a new driver to pick us up from SFO to Sonoma ( twice the price of our normal lady who is housebound but there you go!). Hoping the panicking subsides as time passes..and hoping our travel plans stay put..if not..we have a place to stay and nothing that pressing to get back to..besides Sonoma is shuttered and I cant even get my beloved Thai food!!

I see it 30 days but only in the headline. No mention in the article, the Premier quote, or any of the government documentation online. I can't believe people aren't asking for clarification. I'm just trying to find a real answer to give our guests better guidance...

I am afraid you will not be able to extend. Several of our guests tried to do so but they are not allowing it. You must depart on your original scheduled date if you are not a belonger, resident or work permit holder.

"By now you would be aware that effective tomorrow, our borders are closed to the arrival of international visitors. The Government has agreed that visitors who are already on island will be allowed to remain until their scheduled departure date. Extensions of stays by visitors is not being considered at this time." - BVI Tourist Board .

We have postponed our April charter. The charter company has been very good about letting us reschedule at no cost to us. I know they did not have to do that, so we are very grateful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If I only had a clue..........

Actually, if I owned the boat in this situation, and were a US citizen, I'd go check in at Cruz and become a live-aboard in my home country. No one else will be allowed to charter Tortuga for a while, the owner might as well have some time to love up on his own boat.

Obviously, I'm a clueless bilge rat.

This for Laura Redding....great friend, maker of amazing sailing shirts and manager of our rental( with apologies Jimmy):
"They're sneezing up in Buffalo..cant go to bars..I'm lying here 'neath the sun and the stars." Just trying to bring a little levity to a bad situation.
BTW Sebastian's has trimmed its staff down to a skeleton but the bar and restaurant are still open.The Sugar Mill upstairs is closed now on Wed but Tramonti., the beachfront will be open Wed lunch and dinner, Thursday, lunch and dinner, Friday, lunch and dinner, Saturday, lunch and dinner and Sunday brunch til 4.30..

Their post today says Tramonti will only have dinner on Wednesday now. It's a shame because I preferred it.

You might be right..I though Andrea told me what I reported at lunch today. Upstrairs is defintely closed on Wed with Tramonti open..

Possible they posted it wrong but the advert today says Open Daily 11-4 Serving lunch 12-2:30. If anyone likes Chicken Parm, I highly recommend that dish at Tramonti! It's huge and done very well!

I attached the image but not sure how to add it to the post.

This just popped up on my news feed. Thought I would share for those of you who are still in the BVI.
This was on CNN & MSN


Washington (CNN)The US State Department on Thursday warned American citizens not to travel abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic, issuing its highest level travel alert.

The Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory "advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19."
"In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period," the alert said.
The State Department alert advised US citizens living abroad to "avoid all international travel."
"Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice," it said.
"Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe," it said.
Four sources told CNN earlier on Thursday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had approved the Level 4 advisory.

All this a bit confusing. I think from all this it sounds like till about April 19 the BVI is blocked. After that who really knows?

Does the BVI open up after that? Does this mess diminish? I do not think anyone knows. I look at the graphs, statisitcs and details closely. Try to stay away from the news as it gets too political.

China started about Jan 1 (or sooner). It is now end of March and a least the numbers reported are down to "livable" ...so about 3 months...maybe 4 or so, to clear up. USA say started about beginning of March...so that means maybe end or May..into June...who knows?

I have a Charter starting June 30. I can still cancel with refund. I have till end of March to decide. Then on top of it who knows about work, job and so on. More I am thinking, it may be best to just come back next year.

Please let me know your thoughts, ideas, opinions.

Dave

It really has a lot to do with how people adhere to the precautions to slow the spread of the virus. I will speak from the perspective of the U.S. We are taking extreme but necessary steps to slow the rate but until everyone buys into the reality, it will take longer than it should. A very critical aspect is the younger generation taking the proper precautions. Because of their age they are asymptomatic (except in the very rare cases). Because they are asymptomatic and because they are very social the virus can spread rapidly and they can unknowingly transmit the virus to people who are not of the health to properly deal with it. That is the biggest danger. People that feel symptoms generally quarantine themselves.

Also, we really can't go by much by the news out of China. They are constantly changing the narrative to their benefit.

The US State Department has issued a Level 4 travel warning for the whole world, which basically means, do not travel. Until and unless that changes, I wouldn't go anywhere.

We are now flying out of STT on Sunday..

Makes sense, Mal. Hope you got someone to stock your house with food!

That is a good call, Malcolm. We left last Thursday, as originally planned. Got home at 1am Friday. By Sunday I had a slight sore throat, now have pneumonia. Awaiting Covid test results. Take wipes for the airplane seats.

Sorry to hear that! Best wishes!

Good luck and best wishes RW...

You would be even sorrier if you were eating Ratman's cooking, although Lord knows, he's trying.

I’m sorry to hear that RW! Pulling for you!

Hoping for the best for you..please keep us informed..

No entry for anyone or exit...
https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernm...../10157435759177945/?type=3&theater

Dave!

What did you guys end up doing? Make it home or did you sail back? Hope all is well!


-Peter

Just saw this - I truly hope all is well and you are having a speedy recovery.

-Peter