Plans changed - Nov. 1 looking doubtful

https://bvinews.com/govt-has-plan-f...-full-reopening-was-slated-for-november/

That's what he seems to be saying, although he could be more articulate. It sounds like there was a plan to re-open for tourists on Nov. 1, but that has changed.

Phase II is still in place, but no commitment to Phase III. The issue is that tourists generally can't book last minute. In my opinion, it would be better to provide target metrics, which, if met, would mean tourism would re-open on a particular date. So, for example, community spread is limited, testing capacity increased to a specific number, x# of quarantine hospital beds available.

This "go along and see what happens" is the kiss of death. Few people will book, and many will seek alternative destinations.

I agree....I mean....if this is true? We will move our dates to May/June....but what guarantee do we have that it won’t still be this knee-jerk reacting at that time?

The last-minute thing is a huge factor — I would very much like more than two weeks notice that my charter isn’t happening! I have all kinds of things arranged around the dates - flights, hotel rooms, pet sitters....first world problems, I know - but certainly relevant to this discussion.

After reading through the piece? I agree that November 1 looks very doubtful.

Keep in mind that this is a news article that only quotes the parts of the Premier's statements with the goal of generating interest in their articles. Read and listen to the full statements if you want to make a judgement. My interpretation was that November was not confirm or off the table. I do think it will be last minute call though so tough to plan around.

It’s the last minute that makes it virtually impossible to plan....

...and possibility of a quarantine pre trip

I too thought he was neutral but that the decision will be a game time decision. Also IMHO if you (the government) don't communicate your plan to the stakeholders you really have no plan.

This news report is from the video clip you watched

I get it but I agreed with you that the video is more positive than the article. Listening to his full answer is different that reading the quotes the media pulled.

Why can't folks hand out a written statement instead of video's and audio talks which are difficult to understand. A written statement could be clear if that is what is wanted.

I think we all need to look for schools to open before any talks of borders opening?

A transcript of the government releases are published if you want to look for them. Look at the press release section of the government website.

The interviews with the media are obviously not written in advance and I've not seen them transcribed after the fact.

Ahoy Captains,

Here are quotes from the leading BVI government officials regarding the recent Virus and Economic issues. I am not trying to editorialize anything.
I cannot comment pro or con regarding Phase 3, anymore than I can predict the next Hurricane, beyond the government consensus that the BVI must “Live and Work with It” and that the BVI Premier has a plan for opening Nov 1.
BVI Governor Jaspert on Sept 1 said “We cannot plan for being completely Covid 19 free in the near future …” and
"We need to use the next period to learn to function with Covid 19 so that our society and economy can keep going in the long term …”.
BVI Premier Andrew Fahie said “Tourism is our mainstay and it is important that we take measures to ensure our long-term sustainability.”
And Sept. 1 said “The harsh reality is that we have to live and work with Covid 19”.
Hon Malone Min. of Health said “We learn to live and Work with Covid 19”
Opposition Leader Hon Penn said “The vast majority of our tourism is water-based where density is a non-issue and adopting the new social distancing guidelines will not be a challenge.”
On Wed Sept 2 the Premier was on a local webcast and said “We had a plan that was projecting for the first of November … All the plans we have with diversifying the economy, and even continuing with some of the economy that was there in terms of the marine industry ..." and
"The ultimate plans is very simple, we want to make sure we open the borders eventually. We go to aiming for the first of November, we had all our plans set up for that …”

They Virus is Here and the BVI Gov has chosen to “Live and Work with It”. Most of RoadTown is presently Open for Business.
The Premiers plan may be similar to the USVI, SXM, or the Bahamas. For the short term this summer, the Bahamas are offering self-quarantined yacht charters. Please - I understand there are both negative and positive advantages to this option.
I sympathize with those who have plans to travel within weeks to the BVI in Nov.
To speculate what new tests and vaccines, what political or economic conditions may develop, which businesses or schools are working 'remotely', or what Virus conditions may exist in the BVI or foreign countries all within the next few weeks are beyond my horizon.
Just as my business experienced after 9/11 and after Cat 5 Irma, for every rescheduled charter this year I would expect it will be easy to find a replacement crew enjoying some of the cheapest flight and yacht charter prices in decades, not to mention the luxury of a week or more with Family and Friends and No Masks and No Distancing, for a sunny yacht in the BVI this year.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

I think that is a fair assessment of the current situation. I might also add that in Vero Beach Florida, our situation is wear masks when in a confined area and no masks outdoors, Personally I avoid all confined areas and when going to a store I maintain distance from everyone.There are no medical issues in Vero Beach, hospital is fine.
Bottom line folks are learning to live with it until vaccine arrives, then all will change.
BVI will learn to live with it. No open indoor bars. No mingling allowed at all indoors. Outdoor events totally open, no masks. Outdoors restaurants open, no masks. This will work, provide safety and allow the BVI to open up and tourism to open.

It is the same where I live in Florida - the restaurant where I work is a very popular tourist attraction.

I wear a mask for all my work shifts - also anytime I am shopping indoors — or anywhere indoors except my own home.

When we do our to eat, we sit outside and maintain social distance.

So far, no one I work with has gotten sick and we are a VERY busy place.

Europe is now back to terrible Covid numbers yet there is no discussion of closing things back down. They realize the economy can’t take the hit and the early catastrophic mortality rates some sources were putting out have turned out to be very wrong. The realization that it’s simply another illness that will be around for a long time is forcing a worldwide change in viewpoint.

Agree with you Thorsten - open air facilities around Toronto have allowed us to be reasonably free of Covid - the tough part comes for those workers who need to work in buildings and of course later on this year when the snow starts to fly. British Columbia just closed all the nightclubs and banquet halls as they had a spike so expect those events to occur with some frequency.

....if any of you follow the BVI pages on FB....the way they just handled a local COVID testing would imply the locals are not exactly embracing social distancing....

I don’t mean that in a critical way - it was a local who shared the post - crowded together while waiting for test - crowded while waiting for results - outdoors, but apparently no social distancing....

Nobody is waiting for results , outdoors or anywhere.Is this the search and arrest of people who were not supposed to be in the territory? The good news in the contact tracing and agressive measures taken just got 111 tests back all negative.

Thanks for clarifying, Peter — this is the quote from the BVI Community Board FB page:

“So just been through Covid testing for travel...

Book a test, wait outside the white tent for 1.5hrs with 40+ others, for a 30 second test. Pick up for results, wait an hour with 30+ others outside Peebles main reception, lady comes out with results finally, and everyone swamps her (poor lady), zero social distancing!!!

Stop such madness, organise yourselves better and implement an appointment system... If the hospital can’t get this right then there is no hope.”

I have never seen this as I am barred from that Community board .

There is no reason for those people to be there as it is their choice not to social distance, that person is complaining about something that they are also doing . This is people leaving the BVI so they won't be here when the borders open and were all negative or else the place would of been shut down.

My chef had to get a test done before he left,got a 15 min time slot, got tested went home and collected results 48hrs later, so this is not happening as she has described . The people collecting their results is 48hrs later and all negative.


Keep hope alive before this month is finished I believe there will be a way forward.

Peter..here's hoping. Crazy times. It's 4 pm here in Sonoma and nightime with smoke blocking the sun completely. Two days ago it was 111 here..now its just over 60. I need to get home and get some "Wonky" lamb shank and some clean air and trades..and soon..I was just playing JB's " Apocalypso" as the ash falls like snow..needed to brighten my mood so I put on Leonard Cohen! "Hallelujah"!!!!

Stay safe, Mal!!

In a perfect world, we’ll all be there in November!

Even if they make it mid-November, we might get in ONE of our two charters!

I hope that both of your November charters proceed as planned.

Well...the crew of the catamaran is already bailing....so if we can not reschedule (if they DO open the borders in other words....) we are out the $$ for the deposit on that one.

The balance is due in 10 days so it sure would be nice to know.

Tough situation, Winterstale. You are screwed, regardless..

Yep...that about sums it up!

Over on the USVI forum, there is a link to the USVI's planned re-opening on September 19th. Incoming tourists are required to have proof of negative covid test IF coming from a country or state with 10+% covid positivity rate.
Perhaps the BVIs will follow this plan and hopefully open by November 1. We have a charter starting December 4th and we're holding on to the hope that it's a go.
Here's the link to the USVI opening plan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10M4K3Yi3GOCdk_XGZIE7EVt6qxai3ZNH/view

They just recently announced you need a negative COVID test regardless of your states to enter USVI or it's an automatic 14 day quarantine.

You're right, JasonHelmbrecht! Thank you for catching that: Leisure travel to the USVI Territory will resume on September 19, 2020.
If you are arriving on or after September 19, 2020, you are required to produce a COVID-19 test result. Travelers unable to produce the required test result will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days, or until they are able to receive the required test result while in the Territory.

Personally, I'm good with that and would love to see the BVIs do the same.

we've already rescheduled for April/

8. From the date this Order comes into force until Wednesday, 16th September, 2020 a person operating a Cruise Liner may be permitted to make technical calls or warm lay ups to the Territory, subject to compliance with the protocols established by the BVI Ports Authority and endorsed by the Health Emergency Operations Centre.

Cruise ships are going to be allowed to dock up, so surely the borders will open soon.

Sleepychef, that is the worst news I have heard in a long time. I was hoping we would never see another cruise ship. Guessing it's about government revenue.

Got to be Ratmans wife, I expect one or 2 to arrive in the nest couple of days. No crew can disembark

Not a fan of the cruise ships, but I'm prepared to live and let live.

I hope it IS an indication of the borders opening - I would sure like to make ONE of my November boats work out!

I think we can "thank" all the cruise lines for at least part of this whole nightmare..what's safe..a planeload of flyers or a cruise ship full of passengers who have spent a week eating , swimming and God's knows what else..all jammed together after the boat was turned around in 48 hours from the last cruise? ?? I do hope the cruise lines will work very hard to clean up after each cruise now....and please dont dump all your garbage and oily bilge water ..

48 hours? I'm not sure it's even eight hours - same day turnaround. And how do they sanitize the ductwork? It's a germ factory.

Agreed....most cruise lines empty passengers by 10am and the new ones are on by noon a lot of times....

We have been visiting and bare boating the BVI for 36 years....17 different sailing vacations....and yes we miss it, and also know that
we have zero control over the BVI govenrnment.

So, what to do.... it currently appears that it is going to be a while before us non belongers will be sailing the BVI, we are planning on holding off unti
everything is back so some semblance of order along with safely handling the Covid.

We are hoping for May/ june of 2021, as we stay clear of Hurricane Season.

However, we are doing the best with what we have.

Staying active, working out at home, hiking the many trails in our county as well as along our beaches ..

Going out to happy hour at open air bars, and practice social distancing

In a few days, we will be going on a short road trip up to our mountains, Julian, and we have checked and they follow the rules, but still manage to
have fun, go to the wineries, hike the trails, outside dining.....stop at the brewery, and enjoy the mountain scenery . Just three nights.

The money we save here at home in Dana Point, and not traveling post the beginning of Covid., is going into our travel kitty, and when everything opens up
the adventure traveling good times are going to roar.

We refuse to let this covid crud bring us down, or pound our head into granite boulders .

Tonight, is date night, and we are going out to a very nice place for dinner and drinks, with social distancing, and going to have a great night.
'
Just our way of handling covid and closures of our fave sailing and adventure destinations.

I just reviewed the USVI entry requirements, and it looks like there is still
Covid tests required from States with 10%+ test results, but not for States under
that 10% threshold. We have crew members from Nevada, California & Florida.

If our trip was on or after Sept 19th, our Nevada & Florida crew would need tests,
but our California crew would not. Is this correct, or an I missing an update?

CaptnAndy,
See their update below. Note in red it says that after September 19th, everyone will require a negative test. We were there in July and had to present a negative test result and get temperatures checked at arrival, but it was a very quick and easy process.

https://usviupdate.com/

Florida is well under 10% now....

The cruise ship layups are about government revenue - no indication one way or another about the border opening. A town in Maine is getting $50k/month to have a relatively small cruise ship sit on its dock. The RT cruise pier is much longer, so I'm guessing it will be big ships, and not just for a day. Wouldn't be surprised to see one in VG harbor either. The crew stay on board.

The BVI government is running out of cash to pay salaries: hiring freeze on and not paying increments due several years ago. Airport staff already on reduced hours. I believe the pier park also has bond holders to pay.

"The cruise business can be continued via what is known as a technical call or warm layup. This is not a cruise call, the vessel does not have any passengers on board, and it will be berthing exclusively to take on bunkers, provisions, spare parts and other services," the BVIPA explained.

Under the arrangement, no crew members will be allowed to disembark from the vessel, and no attendance onboard the vessel from shore-based staff will be permitted during its stay in the BVI."

Source : BVI Platinum News September 13, 2020

So.....how do the provisions or parts get on board?? Drones??

Almost everything going onto a cruise ship (anywhere) is moved by forklifts

You need to go straight to the source:

https://usvitravelportal.com/

You only need a test if you are coming from a state with > 10% positivity test. Of course that can all change at any time so don't assume today's restrictions will be the same as next month. In the mean time go sailing in the USVI and enjoy!

A pop up shows up with the link you posted stating after 19 September all travelers must have a test.

Yes curious. The text on the web site is very clear that you do NOT need a test. But the pop-up dialog seems to indicate otherwise. So hopefully in a day or two that will get sorted out.