BVI border is opening up

Government has announced that the BVI borders are opening up after lots of criticism. There are several stages and a $2500 quarantine fee but I am not sure how all of this fits together, We will have to wait while they sort this out. There is a Sept 1 opening for some folks and a Oct 1 opening for other folks. AS I said they will have to expalin all of this.

No information as to when the ferry service to/from STT will/will not open. Not much talk about tourists and how they can enter. No discussion as to whether a negative covid document prior to flying will allow entry. The statement from government leaves lots to be desired as far as real information..

https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernm...5487017945/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

It's a start, I guess. I can't imagine they WON'T require a Covid test, as almost all places are requiring it. I hope when they do make specific announcements, that they don't change them every two days, like it seems that SXM is doing. Every time you turn around, they have changed something else.

Should I keep hoping for the November charter?!?

Yes

They are requiring a covid test but they still want you to go into quarantine at a cost of $2500-3500 per person. Just will not work for tourists. I cannot imagine what they will come up with for tourists. But they need money so the pressure is on. Can't hide forever. They have to face the reality of covid.

Covid is not going away in the next few years. At some point they will have to deal with it. More than likely covid will become another seasonal illness worldwide like the flu. Treatments will get better and the mortality rate will be low. The question is do you deal with it now and open the economy or do you crush the economy and deal with covid later.

No mention of tourists in this statement, but they did address the concerns raised in social media. The cost for quarantine is much lower for non-citizens; e.g. spouses of citizens. I think it's a good start. Property owners will be allowed back in, but there is no mention of boat owners. The Ministry of Health can also give exemptions.

It seems like they will see how it goes and then, perhaps, adjust the rules starting Oct. 1. At a minimum, allowing more residents to return should provide a boost to the local economy while waiting for tourism to resume.

For tourists, if the cost to enter is nominal (less than $100) and no quarantine, then the tourist will come. If not forget the tourists. They are not coming. For me I will not go back to my villa until the cost is minimal and I see a possibility of a return of tourism.

I hope you are right, Peter! Really looking forward to some lamb shank in November ;-)

I agree that most tourists/charterers will not be able to take the time or pay for a long quarantine on top of their vacation costs - I truly hope we get there in November...George makes a very valid point....

fingers crossed for Tourism opening 11/1...... I would love to make my charter finally....

If someone can really make head or tail of all this please let us know. We have "permission to reside". We have landholder licenses and have owned the property since 1989. When can we got back and stay in our own house???? And any news about STT ferrries running again would be most welcome. Fingers crossed that we are making some progress...and any..ANY..real news is gratefully received. In true BVI fashion TTOL is probably the best source of info!

Ahoy Capt. Malcolm,

I hope this helps -
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31904
https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/statement-premier-fahie-covid-19-update-phase-ii
https://bvi.gov.vg/sites/default/files/faqs.pdf

I hope this is a positive development and a reflection of the economic realities.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

This is what I know. Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda is 80% booked for the Christmas period. (So they know something)
I have heard from a gov't rep that Nov 1 for tourists. Again this can change depending on the direction of the winds
I am taking reservations for November

Not encouraging!!

St Kitts and Nevis will be back in business for tourism in October.


It plans to open borders to international visitors with the restart of air and sea traffic, Prime Minister Timothy Harris announced, although the exact date hasn't been announced yet.


The government said all visitors must take a Covid-19 PCR test 72 hours before arrival


A second PCR test is then required after completing a 14-day quarantine.





In addition travelers must have insurance that covers Covid-19.


The wearing of masks is required in public with fines dished out for anyone not complying.


The government has implemented a 'Travel Approved' training program for tourism businesses covering a range of health and safety protocols.


Hotels must apply for a certificate of compliance before being approved.


A number of major resorts including the Park Hyatt Fisherman's Village and the Royal St. Kitts Hotel have reopened while the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Park Hyatt St. Kitts are resuming operations in October.


The twin island Federation has so far reported 17 positive cases of Covid-19, with no deaths.

If the government places significant additional fees on tourist, it will crush the economy and tourism. THEN when they eventually reduce the "new tourism tax", the rumor of high fee will persist for years. AND frequent (repeat) tourists will have found a "New Paradise".

Reasonable temporary fees (ie to cover cost of testing, but not to generate revenue) is Key.

I am approaching possibility of moving my charter boat from BVI permanently due to government inaction/ potential harmful fees.

I wonder if they will differentiate between land based tourists and charterers with the latter being more mobile and being more in a position to carry Covid between the islands...

Land based, potentially have more contact with others (If not staying confined to their villa/house). I spent 3 weeks on cat in USVI and had minimal contact with grocery store (about 1 x per week) ... otherwise elected to stay mostly on the boat.

Pluses and minuses for boaters/ non-boaters. Both are important to the economy.

I believe that key to containing any outbreak is mask/ social distancing, and hand washing/sanitizer... but also suggest designating individuals with companies (Bars, boat companies, restaurants) who will be the point of contact with tourist. Test these "point of contacts" frequently to "entry point" into territory. These would likely know the locals they subsequently know the locals they had significant contact with for contact tracing. (No reason testing tourists on departure as they will be gone and they may know places they stopped, but very unlikely to know WHO they had contact with).

And medically, at least in my local highly impacted area, there seems to be less "very sick"(ie ICU) patients, and even Less Ventilator patients... My community has about 80,000 people and hospital is similar to Peebles... We are having about 30 Covid patients in hospital with 2-4 on the ventilator. Not sure if this is virus causing less sickness or we are doing a better job of treating Covid as time goes on, so I really do think BVI will be able to manage their infections WITH the strict use of Masks and social distancing when possible.... Which likely will entail less alcohol on land(Somehow excess alcohol results in less compliance with SD and masks).

And meanwhile....here on the Gulf Coast of Florida...the state that is COVID capital these days...I have been waitressing in the height of COVID for 3 months now...wearing a mask...57 years old.....not. one. symptom.

Ditto for my co-workers and we are THE number one restaurant in the area and have been PACKED.

$400 in tips last night.

I really don’t know what to believe anymore — if I was going to get it??? I SURE would have by now!

Oh...and tourists are still flocking here......since they can’t get...you know...THERE.

Although I managed to get THERE.
And charter a boat.
And mask up when required.
And return home.

And still.......COVID free.

It can happen :-)

*LIKE!*

In this age of Covid-19, a quote from the philosopher Seneca is timely, almost 2,000 years on, "There are more things, Lucilius, that frighten us than injure us, and we suffer more in imagination than in reality."

I am trying to put all this togther..from what I am told the $3,500 fee for Sept and the $2,500 fee for October is per household with meals included for folks like us who are "with permission to reside"..covers 14 days of quarantine..

Not sure, Malcolm. I read it to be $3,500 per household for security, if you get permission to quarantine at your own house. We need to wait for all the rules to be published.

Wow, assuming that it needs two people to cover 24 hours a day, that is still $1750 per month per security guard, to essentially do absolutely nothing but sit there and ensure that someone doesn't leave their house. That's a pretty darn good gig!!

And meals included - what a deal for the family!

Does anyone have a clue of what this $2,500.00 means? Is it a few if you test positive once entering the territory or does everyone have to quarantine for 14 days.

We have 2 charters starting the October 22 with two different companies, so I’m starting to sweat a tad bit!

These fees are for returning work permit holders who will begin to return September 1st. This is not for tourists. There has not been any word on a date for the borders opening to tourists?

It is also for land holder license owners and those with "permission to reside". I hope to be getting more info but it looks like you pay the Gov and then check into an approved property for the 14 days. I am not clear if you have to pay for the hotel as well..but, I think, the payment to the Gov covers that and meals..if true not such a bad deal! Hopefully we can really clear this up..

Thank you for helping clear that up.

I'd say masks, good airflow maybe? and being in a county with a lower number of cases has been in your favor. I know someone in Florida who's 22 and was not so lucky and likely got it while at a bar back in July. 50+ days and she's free of it now, but still battling the results of what its done to her.

We're hoping for a November trip as well - hope they get this figured out. Seems quarantining with a negative test makes no sense. If they could do a test on arrival with 24-48 for results, that would be an easy way to deal with it as well as a test before you leave your home.

Malcom - you can enter starting September 1. From September 1 - October 1, nothing has changed about quarantine. You would still pay $6000ish for security to quarantine at CRC (if they will approve it) or something similar at a govt. facility. Starting October 1, the quarantine fees change as the govt. is sharing the cost. You would pay $3500 for security for both you and Candice at CRC or $2500/person for housing, security, and food at a govt. hotel.

No talk so far of opening the sea ports so ferries are out. Plus STT is now on a lock down so I doubt ferries would be allowed to run anyway.

Everything changed this morning. No fees until Oct 1 Then I have no idea what will happen . No discussion about tourists. No discussion about ferries. USVI is locked down for at least 1 month. Also at one point there was a 14 lockdown in Puerto Rico so don't what the situation is there. It is a mess.

So, a new article this morning says September 1 - September 30, quarantine is free for anyone allowed to enter at a govt. facility and $3500 at home for security only. Starting October 1, the fees are $2500 for govt. facility and $3500 at home.

Insanity. Tyrannical Government bureaucrats
Worse damage to nations than hurricanes

Nothing changed, they always said the charges would begin on 1st October. The press conference was not very clear even the gazette says something different.

Here is today's article:

https://bvinews.com/cost-for-quarantine-free-for-all-returnees-up-till-september-30/

Does this indicate that they're ramping up to let tourists back in over the next few months by letting workers in to prepare for the season? We have a charter booked for Thanksgiving week and still looking for a glimmer of hope that we'll make it.

Quick Update. Trinidad, which had opened up is back into total lockdown. USVI is in total lockdown for 1 month. It is starting to look grim for tourism.

Nothing has changed for Belongers. Previously, they said work permit holders would be responsible for the full cost of security at $6048. It's mentioned again in this morning's article.

And things are subject to change. If lots of property owners say they're coming down in September, and the government realizes what it will cost to put them in hotels and feed them for two weeks, they may reconsider. I also suspect priority will be established, especially if the number who apply to return is large.

They are reportedly look at technology as well - like an app which monitors compliance with quarantine at home. Malcolm, have you got an iPhone?

I'm not optimistic for tourism.

This is a MAJOR change: https://bvinews.com/cost-for-govt-q...56rGY3Pz29K5VlIoGgk6qHJCe-6QKJbq2uydFzV0

Frankly I cannot figure out who can come in and who will be quarantined and what the cost is. And how do you get there. Only 2 airlines flying in form SJU. Do you have to quarantine in PR if you change flights in PR

When our property was inspected to house quarantine returnees, the representative from the Health Ministry mentioned they were considering implementing gps bracelets to save on security costs. Haven't heard anything since but it is an option being considered.

Nothing has changed since the Press conference at no time did they say people would be paying for Government facility quarantine during September only for security for private residences.

They state quite clearly that the costs start on October 1st and people can return from September 1st

Agreed, it was always free for BVI Nationals. I was referring the previous policy in which they stated ex-pats were responsible for their quarantine cost. In the latest press conference, they didn't say they were reversing this cost. They just said it was changing October 1.
12 August info

The previous policy did not allow anybody else in the territory except BVI nationals , everything changed at the press conference nothing has changed since then.

Ahoy Captains,

It looks like the BVI Gov is preparing for the logistics of increased testing and treatment possibly related to tourism soon -
https://bvinews.com/bvihsas-lab-infrastructure-being-upgraded-to-meet-covid-demands/
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....als-complete-14-day-mandatory-quarantine
And testing internationally continues to improve with over 2 months before the start of the BVI charter season -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/17/dr-scott-gottlieb-touts-yale-new-saliva-based-coronavirus-test.html

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

Jason or Mal, can you point me to where it indicates that Land Hold Licenses can enter the BVI in September?

How do we apply to get our villa approved?

So many questions without clear cut answers.

Thanks!

It was forwarded to me by Dennis The Sugar Mill but I cant get it to post here..it should be on the Gov website..three pages long. From what I understand you have to stay in an approved location ( hotel) like The Sugar Mill. Seems the rate drops from $3,500 to $2,500 in October..still trying to find out more. Jason may well be better informed..

Sky2Play, haven't seen anything yet about getting properties approved. In phase one they approved properties of those quarantining at home, but then stopped that program when people cheated and snuck out.

They do say all categories are eligible for free government quarantine in September. Maybe the government will pay for Jason to host Mal for a couple weeks!

Sleepychef posted it near the top but here is the link to FB.

I think when you fill out the gvot application online, you can specify where you want to quarantine. Not sure what they will say about JVD since I'm not sure if they have security officers there.

Thanks Jason, Mal, and Ratman's wife!

I am hoping they will pay Jason to quarantine us too!

I am expecting some kind of news today since the BVI "Re-Entry Website" is Temporarily Unavailable due to being updated.

Press Release 18 August

Statement from Premier

Update on Cost Sharing of quarantine costs

I'm not very good at posting over here - it's been too long. Wanted to make sure you saw this (especially Mal). This is the latest I have seen.

Classic..talk about cliches! So...Oct 1 for $2,500 is a very longshot possibilty for us..nothing mentioned about tourists , the Online Regatta etc. I really dont see spending our time down the road from our own house that we have paid $$$ for and $$$ to the Gov in taxes and sales $$. I am hoping they will come up with a real plan..AND SOON!

How kind of the government to only charge a $3,500 fee if you want to quarantine yourself or family in your home.

The BVI Re-Entry Website is back up. I am not sure what, if anything, has changed as I had not looked carefully at the previous site.

The site URL is: https://www.bvitravel.vg/

Listening to the Government update right now. Another case was detected today. The person hadn't left or entered the Territory. The apartment building the person stayed in is under quarantine and they apparently went to some bars & restaurants.

The BVI is not in total isolation. I sail at night more than most on trips. The amount of small boat traffic, often without lights between the USVI and the BVI after dark is surprising.
G

I am really starting to doubt we will get back in November

iIf the BVI does not open up by November, then the 2020/2021 tourist season is over. Folks decide to go on vacation many months before they go. I think they are waiting for the magic pill, but it is not available yet. They could test and not quarantine. That is the only answer.

BVI Spring Regatta is being mentioned for the first time for end of October???

Oh wow - well that sounds a little more hopeful, Peter!!
I guess I shouldn’t lose all hope just yet!

I wonder if Voyage Charters knows something we do not.

I received both a phone call and an email today from Voyage regarding booking a charter departing November 1, 2020.

This has me wondering... this scenario sounds like NZ who recently discovered a few new cases after 100+ of days without any new cases. The people affected did not travel outside the country and authorities are attempting to determine how they become infected. They are looking at the cold storage facility that one of the persons works at. Could the virus become dormant if you will, in cold temperatures during food transportation, then reactive?

Or could the virus already be circulating everywhere and is impossible to contain because it has already infiltrated the globe? And in this case in the Territory, was it was discovered through testing because someone was sick enough to warrant a test? How many cases lurking with minor symptoms?

So I guess my point is, there is so much we do not understand, but it seems hiding from the virus aka lockdowns do not work. It appears the pesky virus will continue to spread regardless. Best course of action is personal prevention though hygiene, distancing and masks.

What did they say, we are schedule the last week in October.

Complaining about how other nations and governments fight this pandemic with and for their citizens doesn't make a lick of sense when 50 states and half a dozen territories of the USA can't agree on what is best.

Kind of behooves us to remember that our close neighbors to the north aren't in any hurry to throw open their gates, either. Heck, even our own Caribbean territories are cranky about our visiting right now..

When it comes to the tourism economy, there are many, many spots right here in the contiguous 48 that do truly need a whole lotta help.

If we could help our US selves get over this misery, we'd be of a lot more worth to our worldwide neighbors and friends.

This is not NZ d-Fish it is confirmed a guy from St Thomas entered illegally , the guy who is in quarantine and number 12 has now made cases jump to at least another 9 so BVI at 21 and has community spread , we will wait till tonight to see what measures they take to contain it, curfew probably to stop the spread at the Bars/Clubs where it came from. Hopefully no lockdown but its storm season anyway so let get comfy for a couple of weeks! Everyone needs to go to Worldwide Travel forum and join in on the game.