Protocols Delayed!!!

Protocols delayed until Monday at best. What a surprise!!

I think we'll hear some answers during today's meeting here.

The meeting did not sound promising. Sounds like he was making a case for quarantine.

George - I listened to almost the whole broadcast while working and I walked away with that same feeling. There was multiple mentions of checks and relief money being given out in the next few days /next week. Perhaps the delay of the meeting and the timing of those checks may be to soften the blow to locals who want tourists back and know a long quarantine could be a deal breaker for many.

Let’s hope we’re both wrong. I need my Dec trip. If it gets canceled I will probably rebook my June trip to Greece out of spite!
G

It certainly did NOT sound like USVI day trippers will be back any time soon.

Jason, Yes, I caught the comment that things will not be the way they were for a while, and than the slight back track with for a few months added.
Was interesting to listen to everyone's comments.....and I found it super funny that they kept showing the picture of the topless woman on the wall behind them.

technically, her hands covered most of her nipples...

These checks were to have been distributed a couple of weeks ago. There are to small business companies in the BVI and also to locals who are having a hard time.I really feel for the locals who are stuck with no money and no source of income for a long time. All of this will be a stain on the BVI for several years.

The picture on the wall reflects their scope of knowledge.

That was cracking me up, too.

Jason...... Good one!
ecm56..... and than they zoomed in I think to avoid the picture but that only made it easier to see

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....ew-7-day-quarantine-for-persons-entering

This makes me suspect they're considering an electronic tracking system. Implementation should be interesting!

And seaports December 8?.....

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....o-international-visitors-december-8-2020

Seaports, airports, none of it matters if there is a curfew. The USVI is going extremely well without one.

bvi news is reporting that the government is expected to have a 4 day quarantine. One seaport will be open Dec 8

Doubt we would go if there were a quarantine. Not to mention there would be no way to get guards to our property.

If they let us quarantine on the boat somewhere other than the dock? I am okay with it.

On the dock in Road Town or paying for some hotel lockdown stay?

No.

Thorsten - they are removing any posts on the various BVI FB pages that have anything to do with speculation on protocols - it’s just going to get uglier and uglier. People who have booked trips in response to the opening announcement are feeling deceived....

https://bvinews.com/visitor-4-day-q...Sef_TLsLdN6zZQ-GxZlQxsTfk3SOgg3DxJwPAjQw

You are correct on people feeling deceived. I moved two charters to Dec for friends plus my charter. The other two charters have expressed that they will not go back again if their trips are cancelled. The BVI government should have announced that they will have a limited tourist reopening 1 Dec with a quarantine period required. That would have been honest and upfront.
George

CYOA is going to become a very successful charter company!

What was said about that?

Happy for Jay and CYOA (hey that rhymes!) since they are such a great outfit. I would charter there again in a hot heartbeat with a catamaran group this time.

Agree, George - I have a final payment due on my 12/3 charter that will be very painful to send since I don’t even know if we will be able to go now :-(

If our deposit wasn't already tied up for our BVI charter Dec 5-12 I would have gone ahead and booked somewhere else at this point. In hindsight we were just so excited to see the original announcement of the Dec 1 opening that we quickly moved our charter to that first week feeling that they would all book up fairly quick. It seems somewhat of a bait-and-switch now that we've committed without announcing any protocols... Needless to say we won't be going if there is any sort of quarantine requirement.

Nothing specifically about day charters but they continue to talk about testing and possible quarantine. If there's a test required, that will make entry very difficult for a day charter guest who is only in the BVI waters for 6 hours. If there's a quarantine, it obviously doesn't make any sense.

I just made our final payment on the December charter - BVIYC has confirmed that we can reschedule if the protocols end up being too difficult to adhere to....so that’s a bit of a relief. My hope is waning :-(

So " more patience required" is the message of the day.

Remember, the US - Canada border is firmly closed to tourism, too. There are plenty of families whose brothers/sisters/parents/grandparents live just a few miles away but are off limits except for life-changing emergencies and Prime Minister intervention. Canadian tourism has been sorely missed in every tourism market, never mind tourism from GB and Europe. Our borders aren't exactly open and welcoming visitors right now, either.

So very true - and speaking as someone who works in a high tourist traffic location...I have never seen more obnoxious, entitled behavior in my life than what I have witnessed here during the last 6 months since we have re-opened post-COVID. While it is frustrating not knowing if we will get to the BVI or not? I completely understand their fear :-(

Considering you have to have a negative test to get to the USVIs, why would they not accept day trippers who would still have such paperwork as they produced at the airport??

Because the USVI rates seem to spike after they open for tourists and the BVI protocols will not be as easy as the USVI.

I have a question...if they are truly so concerned about COVID...why were they all using the same microphone during the JVD new conference and holding it mere inches from their face as they passed it around. Additionally, the Premiere and the guy next to him in the purple shirt were often sitting side by side and neither was wearing a mask.

So...Is this really about keeping everyone safe? I, personally, don't think so.

Sadly, I have $ tied up in a charter for jan '21 that I do not believe is going to happen.

My opinion (and YES, i know what they say about opinions...) is that life must go on...this virus has a 99% recovery rate.....

Just to be clear on the USVI. The spike in cases occurred after the first opening and I don’t think it was tourist related. They however essentially opened with no testing ect. The reopening required testing and they have since had excellent results. New cases have been at zero for many days at a time and currently there are 20 active cases in the entire USVI.

USVI requirements
All travelers aged five years or older must provide proof of a negative result from a COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test taken within five days of departure or provide positive results of a COVID-19 antibody test taken within the four months prior to travel. Travelers are required to produce both their original test results and the travel certificate processed through the online portal

I agree that numbers are pretty good but they've recorded 18 new cases in the last 10 days. Based on population, that would be like BVI getting 6 in 10 days. Based on past reactions, I think that would result in borders closing again and a severe curfew. We've learned a lot here but the knee jerk reactions are still pretty strong.

If the BVI only has 8 ventilators why over the past 8 months didn't they buy some more?

Covid is not going away in the near future, if ever. Why didn't the government move quickly to increase hospitalization capacity so they could handle an outbreak? Instead, the plan is to keep the economy shutdown unless the infections rate is at zero. Even with a 4 day quarantine opening to tourism will result in increased infection. Its unavoidable given the current science. So the BVI opens with a 4 day quarantine 12/1. 12/21 there are 20 confirmed cases. Do they lockdown again? How do tourists get out?

This is just more of the nonsense that has been going on the past 30 years in the BVI. Wasted money on airlines, greenhouses, consultants to expand the runway, power plants, recycling, etc.

The deep pockets of offshore banking and financial services is largely over. Tourism which was the other half of GDP is dead in the water. The BVI politicians refuse to recognize the situation they are in. The recent statement that the budget will be balanced by the end of the year is ludicrous.

Many of us have longed for the BVI of old. The way things are headed with this government we are going to get it soon.

I have wondered about the ventilators for a long time. In the JVD meeting that is available to view online, they did mention that there are actually 13-14 ventilators available on Tortola but the 8 they refer to are fully commission and ready to use. I know nothing about hospitals but it sounds like the additional ventilators are here and would have to be setup if needed. I would assume if they use 3 or 4 of the 8 that are commissioned, additional rooms would be prepared to accommodate the extra ventilators that are here and ready to use.

Regarding tourist exits, at the end of the current curfew on 5 November, we will have had 36 curfew orders that cover 220 days this year. 30 of those days were 24 hour lockdowns but during all of the curfew orders, visitors and residents were allowed to exit the country. It required coordination if you needed to be on the road during curfew hours but was never prevented. There were flights and then eventually water taxis available. Getting out is relatively easy; no Hotel California here...

Minister Malone mentioned that to treat a patient with a ventilator requires a specially equipped room. So while they have more ventilator machines, they don't have the fully equipped rooms to use all of them.

Hi all...

Just curious: Given the giant mess that is shown by the BVI authorities, WHO in the world feels like chartering in the BVI in December and beyond?? I mean... seriously.. Can you imagine getting sick there and being stuck?

Just sayin'...

Can you not enter the US with a positive test if your a citizen?

I don't think that is the issue, actually ENTERING the US. If one tests positive on island, my feeling, without any corroboration, is that this will be communicated to the airline and you won't be able to FLY, even if you were to pass the temperature test.

Thats the conundrum ,

With whats happening in Europe and the US at the moment I worry they are making the protocols to include the 4 day quarantine which will cancel most 7 day visitors and this is why it was delayed till Monday.

There are worse places in the world to be stuck. I have been sailing in the BVIs for 50+ years, but don't need any new challenges related to the pandemic. I just want some rules to follow that are understandable and don't require backflips.

If they know they are going to require a 4-day quarantine, announce it now. Let everyone cancel and make plans to go elsewhere. We're planning to come for three months, but will probably cancel if quarantine is required. Not interested in paying $$$ to stay in some hotel, and can't see how they would get a security guard to our house.

I have to say...as I watch this all unfold - or perhaps unravel would be a better word - I am starting to hope the protocols make our December charter impossible.

With rumors that the tests will cost something like $250 and having to take it twice? On top of the one we’ll have to pay for before we fly? That’s another $1k + and what happens if one of you is positive (or false positive....)?

It isn’t worth risking - we will most likely push this one to June 2021....

We have a week planned for St. Thomas in January to check out marinas for our own boat so we can get a little USVI fix in the meantime.

If they charge more than $50 its over for me. it is up to government to have reasonable fees or no one will come down.

The government should pay the fees if they really want to get tourism going again but that’s basic logic.

....no one will go....

Can you just imagine? You get on the plane with your negative test in hand. You arrive and pay $$$ for another test on arrival. What if you’re positive this time?? - and we know that false positives are happening - how sophisticated do we think this BVI testing will be?? What happens then?? Or you are positive after your quarantine??

What happens to the money you’ve spent on the charter and everything that goes along with it?

It is just not worth the VERY costly risk!

The tourists here in Florida are ridiculous. I cannot imagine it would be any better in the BVI....

Those with property (like a charter boat) in the BVI will go. We have a booking Dec 8th and we will go unless they make it impossible to do so. Certainly willing to jump through a lot of hoops to be on our boat.

@MrEZgoin - howdy neighbor! Lake Stevens here!

Anxiously awaiting Monday's details. We are - trying - to close on a PowerCat before end of the year in Tortola. But, gotta put my actual hands on her before closing! Watching re-entry protocols closely. And, great excuse for a business trip!

If a 4 day quarantine is in place I expect that to drastically impact vacations that can be canceled.

European Covid cases are on the rise big time. Friends in Ireland state they are at L5 shutdown for 6 weeks. I expect BVI to follow more European approach to re-opening, which imho, is more conservative than US approach.

With that - I think there is an extreme push on the Gov to open Tourism and get the money flowing. So, anxiously waiting for tomorrow.

Will

Anybody know what time tomorrow the announcement is expected?

I was just looking . . . I haven't seen any mention of an announcement yet.

Sisterblysse, is this your first trip to the BVI? Even if they gave a time - as in "we'll announce it next Thursday" - it's meaningless. Best to check FB after the fact and see what happened.

And they need to provide ALL the details. Dribbling out length, location and cost of curfew, testing details, arrival protocols, etc. will not cut it.

Agree completely - we need clear cut details -- ALL of them -- no piecemeal B.S. here. I am extremely grateful that BVI Yacht Charters has told us we can reschedule AGAIN if the protocols are impossible for us to follow.

hi RatmansWife - not a first timer, I have been a regular visitor and have my boat out there. My December trip has been booked for nearly a year.
It will be what it will be but I just want to draw a line under all this now one way or the other and just wondered if someone here has inside intel about a time scheduled for announcement. Checking FB or here frequently in the hopes of news is a real energy drain. This endless speculation is exhausting for all.

My guess is that it will be end of the day - it seems to be when it happens most of the time.

I got the impression that the cabinet still has to meet to discuss and vote. If that's the case, I would agree it might be late in the day or even Tuesday by the time we hear. Frankly, until I see the official government gazette, I won't believe it.

And nothing predicts future behaviour than past behaviour ;-)

The problem is the issue isn't the recovery rate. That has always been part of it. The bigger issue is the rate is dependent upon those needing care getting it. That has always been the biggest issue. And just recently in Utah there was a woman who had a heart attack and needed ICU care and was delayed in getting it because the local hospital had no ICU space available due to covid. She ended up getting it but it likely put her in a worse situation. Imagine something like this in the BVI? Dying because of covid but never having had it?

THAT is the real issue. 1% fatality rate (and I've heard 2.5% from experts) is still also not anything to dismiss, that's 1 in 200 people. The younger one is, the better those odds become, but even those that get through it can have long term effects.

So I'm really not surprised the BVI hasn't made solid plans yet. With the US seeing a huge increase in cases and little being done in many areas to control it and Eurpoe now seeing additional restrictions because they too are seeing increased cases, I'll be surprised if they open in any reasonable way that allows tourists in. I think we're going to see them have restrictions in place that prevent tourists until a vaccine is available and then they'll require anyone coming in to have that as well as a negative test. Just my 2 cents.

This is not the proper forum to discuss the numerous problems with the handling of the COVID-19 issue but I would ask you to please refrain from posting unsubstantiated information about the issue. Obviously, Carol has the last call on this.

Vaccine availability for vacationers is probably 18 months away. That assumes they even get a working vaccine which is still very much in doubt. Can the BVI survive that long?

I understand the reluctance to make real protocols...what I dont understand is spending $$$$$$$$$ on a promotional video and posting it inviting everyone back on Dec 1..Talk about the cart before the horse..or in the BVI's probably the donkey before the goat..Waste of $$$ and even bigger waste of energy and momentum.
"Come on everyone..have some cake..oops we just ran out....now we are meeting to see if we can bake some more..sometime..maybe!

I agree, Mal —- but that should come as no surprise.

??? You must have some information noone else has. From everything I've seen published the vaccine should be widely available in '21. And you say a working vaccine is still very much in doubt - where does that come from? All of the trials seem to be going pretty well. Source please - I'd like to read about this.

I am just going by what I read. Attempts to create a corona virus vaccine have been in work for 20 years without success. Far more money and effort are now going into a vaccine which should help. Basically however we are just starting to test vaccine candidates to see if they actually work. Prior to this the testing has been to see if they were safe not if they were effective. When you read trials are going well it simply meant the vaccine was not killing people.
If a effective candidate emerges there are huge problems with distribution as the leading candidates require refrigeration capabilities that don’t exist on the scale needed. Initial distribution is planned and should be risk based. Normal healthy people will be far down the list. There are proposed distribution methods and a attempt to get the wealthier nations to agree to subsidize getting the vaccine to poorer nations with bad health care first. That is the right thing to do.

OK, obviously a corona virus vaccine has NOT been in the works for 20 years, since Covid 19 only appeared this year.

Regardless, this has nothing to do with the topic at hand. Will close this one here and wait for the actual protocols to be announced, hopefully soon.