BVI Charter protocols TBA?.

Hang on....Just got this email from Horizon Yacht Charters.

That is still 4 days in Q at a selected anchorage. And MAYBE you can move after day 4. Spend half my expensive charter at a Q anchorage? No thanks.

Yes, but why would people still choose to do that when there are other places to charter? Don't get me wrong, I love the BVI's but I wouldn't sign up for 4 covid tests over a week's time span. Maybe if they would have announced something specific to the charter industry at the same time some would have stayed, or if you had a 2-3 week charter trip planned? Too little too late.

he is not the Deputy Premier and hasn't been for a long time.

here we go again

I heard the BVI is somewhat surprised by the volume of cancelations day one after their announcement. I really don’t understand the charter side. Some out sailing on a boat is about as quarantined as you can get. Should have been simple to have a safe protocol for charterboats.

Wow
https://www.facebook.com/jtv55/videos/1746327328851093

maybe you should of said this last night

Apparently everyone on a yacht gets the ferry

Ridiculous.

This seems to be the best distillation I have found.

GPS tracking & multiple COVID-19 tests for VI tourists
- when tourist arrivals commence December 1, 2020
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Tourists who arrive in the Virgin Islands (VI) from December 1, 2020, will be required to meet strict requirements, including GPS tracking and multiple instances of COVID-19 testing, before they are allowed unrestricted access to the territory.
The measures were announced tonight, Monday, October 26, 2020, by Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in a statement broadcasted across radio, television and social media.
COVID-19 PCR test before arrival to territory
The Premier said that to come to the territory, persons would have to agree to the terms and conditions before boarding their flight and will have to obtain a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test at least 5 days ahead of travelling.
“These terms and conditions include periods of quarantine at approved accommodation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, medical travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage, subscription to a contact tracing system through their mobile phone, and in some cases using a wearable device, and bearing the costs associated with these measures,” Premier Fahie said.
He said approval for the travel will first have to be done via an online portal called BVI Gateway as entry into the VI will be exclusive to air travel via the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport from December 1, 2020.
GPS software & second COVID-19 test on arrival
“On arrival at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, the traveller will do a PCR test and we will ensure that the visitors have installed the contact tracing software on their mobile phones.”
Following that step, the Premier said tourists would then be directed to approved transportation which will take them to their approved accommodation for isolation.
According to Premier Fahie, in the first four days, travellers would be required to remain within the compound of their accommodation and to avoid or minimise contact with others outside of their party, as well as to keep their movement to a minimum.
Third COVID-19 test after brief quarantine
Following that initial quarantine, on the fourth day, the traveller would be required to take another PCR test and once the result is negative, they would be allowed isolated movement to designated places. These would be locations that are not high traffic or high risk.”
He said the locations are being coordinated by the Environmental Health Department and other Government agencies and the establishments will be notified.
Fourth COVID-19 test for free movement
A final PCR test would be administered on Day 8 and once this test also returns negative, the traveller would be able to move within the Territory without limitation, the leader of Government Business detailed.

I just flashed back to the Tom Hanks movie called The Terminal, about the guy stuck in limbo in the airport....

This seems like a pretend opening for tourism. If the intent is to have zero risk, I would do the following if I ran the zoo:

* Tourists coming to the territory must present (a) a negative PCR test taken within five days of travel, and (b) a positive anti-body test. No other requirements.

In other words, only allow tourists in that have either had the covid or have had a vaccine. No Q, no testing, no tracking of people yada yada yada. And what would this mean? Virtually noone would be coming for now. Just like the number of people that will jump through the many hoops announced. But in a few months there will start to be a trickle. That's what I would do if I ran the zoo. But noone asked me. Thankfully.

That would certainly be better then their current proposal.

Wow! I have been following TTOL for many years. First - Thank you for all your contributions to this forum. So many wonderful people on this forum and so many wonderful people and friends in the BVI. I hurt for all those affected by this pandemic in the BVI.

I watched the Facebook video and was left speechless. It reminded me of the President of Vietnam creating a law that everyone driving a scooter needed a helmet. Law enforcement handing out tickets. Folks pushing back because the country couldn't deliver 3 million helmets. The President quickly changed the law..

SNL could create a great skit with the "Honestly Speaking" plastered in the background and what transpired in that video.

Premier Fahie: "Reality is your friend!"

We will be taking our money elsewhere..

All I heard was re-enforcement of last night's message. Maybe it was just me. Actually stopped listening early. Hopefully I missed the good part.

I feel like he is just repeating what he has said before. I guess he thought we weren't listening last night (and didn't read the printed versions).

Total waste of time. Now the premier is lecturing the audience.

Time to reread "Don't Stop the Carnival".

One of many great books by Wouk!
G

yup

What I got from last night after listening for over 2 hours is that homeowners and boat owners can come in qnd quarantine without security at their own place after paying for tests and a tracking band so $150 insteadof $3500 .

This is what these protocols are meant for , long term guests.

I believe it is more like $500/person for the tests and the band. I am a homeowner and this is too expensive for me. I will wait until I get the vaccine and then get an immunity passport to indicate that I am covid free

All I can say is that BVI is protecting its population from Covid which is what any government should be doing - it comes at a cost for all.

The $150 is for the band then the tests and they are looking at the 3rd test again. So about $450 with 3 tests.

The problem is the wording saying they were opening for tourists instead of sayingl long term guests

So, is it a band, an app, or both?

With all of these conditions I really wonder whether those making the decisions realize how fickle their target audience is and how easy it will be for most to change destinations to other locations which offer less hurdles. I cannot believe that they are not aware that the revenue stream will shift away; and if the goal is to keep then BVI safe from potential contagion then they are doing the right thing and kudos to them. But announcing a "re-opening" of the island with big fanfare and giving hope to the constituents that the tourist dollars will soon start pouring in is a great disservice. But if they truly believe that this new protocol will (a) work and (b) result in an influx of tourists and much needed income then they are going to be in for a surprise; and as civil servants they will continue earning an income while the populace suffers.

If one is going to be quarantined anyway, and has the funds, you can go to Anguilla and stay at Cuisinart. Mandatory quarantine at the resort for two full weeks. If you're independently wealthy, sure would be more attractive than going to the BVI and staying at some 'government approved housing'.



Cuisinart

Several people I have talked with are stating they are done with the BVI forever. They don’t mind if the BVI wants to lock down their country. That choice lies with the Government and Citizens. What they are outraged about is the big we are opening announcement. They booked boats, shore accommodations and airline tickets only to find the government had no intention of opening.
G

284 media released a story with the Premier stating it wasn’t their fault and everyone should have waited for protocols before booking....but you just have to love the recent video on the BVI FB page that states “only 35 more days” — not your fault???? SERIOUSLY???

Winterstale - do you have a link?

Found it - https://www.284media.com/local/2020...ier-in-response-to-record-cancellations/

On the good news front? (f there IS one...) Intercaribbean let us switch our flights with ZERO change fee....here's hoping for June!

Ahoy Captains,

Look how far we have come.
Great Advances Internationally in the Medical Testing and Treatment and Vaccines the past few months. Some Vaccines only weeks away now.
An Opening Date with a Framework for Testing and Tracking. Multiple entry ports including the airport and ferry terminals.
A Testing system based on +95% accuracy within 90 minutes. The overhead expense of the hardware will quickly simplify that issue. The BVI Gov is already reconsidering the 8th day test.
‘Quarantine’ from 2 weeks at a BVI Gov Hotel to a few days on your Yacht.
Guards at $6000 a person to no guards and no guard costs and a ‘geofence’.
‘Quarantine’ based on a cell phone app. Possibly bracelets, but the overhead expense and reliability of the hardware will quickly simplify that issue.
More constructive Stakeholder Consultations over the next week to consider ‘remote quarantine’. There has never been any written policy or protocol requiring quarantine on the yacht on the dock. This issue has not yet been finalized and most of the conversation has been based on worst case InterWeb rumors.

“Quarantine” – The ‘quarantine’ is a tracking app on your phone. Probably less intrusive then your Google tracking or your Facebook tracking.
‘Geo-fencing’. You are expected to leave your phone on the chart table while you swim and scuba and windsurf and paddle board and then snorkel all your favorite reefs.
Why pay $150 for a BVI Gov Bracelet when you can buy and keep an unlocked cell phone from Walmart for $50?
Log in your body temp. Body temp is 98.7, that is 37 in Celsius. Everyday.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

Testing – At worst a nasal swab. A lot less intrusive than the Vaccine injections we will all be begging for in a few months. Less than every Diabetic does every day.
We could all use a little Empathy and Honesty these days so Everybody gets tested so Everybody is safe. And it sets a standard a few weeks before to protect the Time and Money you all have invested in the trip. And you come home Healthy. Maybe Healthier?
After 4 days you get retested. Everybody passes and celebrates at the nearest beach bar.
Or celebrate on the Yacht as it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

Multiple Testing Locations - JVD Great Harbor and then drinks at Foxy’s, Virgin Gorda and then dinner at The Restaurant at Leverick, West End Ferry Terminal and painkillers at Sopher’s Hole Pussers, the Beef Island Airport and cocktails in Trellis at the New Loose Mongoose. All these locations have docks with water/fuel/ice and more.
Not to get all ‘Zen’ and seeing the Forest and the Trees. Has it dawned on anyone that if you have a Negative test on day 4 then you will have that PCR test in hand and Not have to Quarantine when you return to the Real World after a week of relaxing in paradise? Another problem solved.
This is as about as complicated as renting a car for a few days.
Logistically, going in for the tests should be about the same as checking into BVI Customs and Immigration at West End or JVD or VG.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

After 2020 - You need to leave your Bucket List at home this time.
For the first few days you need to Relax. And enjoy your favorite author and favorite singer and cook your favorite meals and drink your favorite wines and mix your favorite cocktails.
All that food and liquor you had delivered gets BBQd and baked and diced and iced and enjoyed while it is fresh.
With your Family and Friends, hopefully some are both.
And sleep 10 hours a day.
The Protocol for a chase call is ‘Everybody bugger off to the foredeck while I fix this without your advice’. A mechanics dream come true.
There has never been any documented BVI Gov policy or protocol that Guests will be required to quarantine on any yacht at any dock.
In fact, based on the Draft Protocols for Bareboat charter companies, they can’t get you off the dock fast enough.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

Options - Where else can you go this Winter. Paris? Vegas with some guy with a chin diaper trying to cough up his lung at the blackjack table next to you? The Thunderdome of Florida? Enjoy the 14 day Quarantine in New York? Mexico to use your kids to troll for the Virus in the hotel pool, but don’t worry, all the counterfeit medication you can buy, and a little narco-terrorism to spice things up?
Please, correct me if I am wrong, and this is the InterWebs so correct me if I am right and then quote your favorite alt-reality source and get the thread locked. All the same few posting the same bad attitude based on the same bad rumors. Look at all the past pessimism on the SXM Board and now all the very good reports coming in.
You can spend all Winter in your basement getting lathered up in your Aunt Karens essential oils, or, come on down and get lathered up in sunscreen and rum.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

Hopefully - We can get a Neutral Territory.
More discussions over the Halloween weekend between the BVI Gov and the Charter businesses. With all the cancellations overshadowing the original Protocols the BVI Gov would be wise to be a little flexible.
Marina Cay is nothing open (deserted).
Peter Island is nothing open (with Perter Island Resort close to all tourism).
Cooper Island has one dock.
Pirates Bight has one dock.
Willy T has one Floating Dock.
Each business with a dock hires a Dockmaster to check Phones and Face Masks for compliance. None of those businesses want to get closed as a ‘Hot Spot’.
IF we can get those 4 Islands as Neutral Territory for Yachts under a ‘Remote Quarantine’ then Everybody Wins.
The BVI Gov makes money off the Cruising and Park permits and Port Taxes.
The BVI People get Employment and Income.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.

On a 2017 Leopard 45 with 4 Doubles and 1 Single and 5 Bathrooms and AirCon and a GenSet from Dec 19 to Jan 2 for 14 Nights for $14k.

Please consider that All these Health and Safety precautions work Both ways to protect You and your Family and Friends.
Please suggest a Better Sunny Vacation this Winter with the same level of Health Security and No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics?

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Just got my Cruising World in the mail yesterday which happens to be the Charter Issue chock full of advertisements from BVI charter companies. There's also a full page advertisement for the British Virgin Islands from the tourism board. No mention of closures or restricted access. If I didn't know any better and was going just by the magazine, I'd say the BVI's were fully open for business.

this, and like it or not, as a homeowner, this was a choice I knew was a possibility when we purchased a home in a foreign country.

I am dealing with Covid and healthcare redesign on a daily basis.

The announcement made in late September by the government was an opening date not the entire plan to operationalize something so fluid and incredibly hard to manage.

I get that you all want it tied up neatly in a package with a bow, sadly COVID doesn't work that way.

disclaimer: not making excuses or liking the way this has been handled by the BVI government but at the same time...……….really not interested in doing their jobs, are you?

Very optimistic summary Brent. Thank You. But for someone with a 7 night charter (including sleep aboard) in December, not 14, spending 4 in Q anchorage, plus one day dedicated to testing, doesn't leave much time for sailing or enjoying the islands. In addition to testing and surveillance costs as well as "insurance". We cancelled. We still have our February charter on the books, but again, with only 8 days booked, and the inability to take extra vacation time, if protocols don't change before then we'll need to cancel that too. We've been to the USVI recently, likely we'll be returning there.

I appreciate the optimism Brent. Sadly, I don't think many tourists are seeing it the same way. Already getting cancellations on cancellations

I like your optimism Brent, but there are other places to go. USVI for one. Aruba for another..etc.

I think if the requirements were a test prior to arrival, maybe another when you arrive and then you can head to your boat and isolate on your boat staying away from others in any anchorage you want, but avoiding shore activities, I'd go. 4th day if it was easy to get a test in multiple locations (say a stop at Trellis or Soper's) then I think that would be fine. Beyond that, I think its too much hassle for a week or even 10 day vacation.

I like the optimistic spin, Brent. We are hanging on to our booking for the first two weeks in Dec. I get that it may not be worth it for a 1-week charter. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. We'll know more by January. Fingers crossed it will be in a positive direction.
And all the time on the Yacht it is No Mask and No Distancing and No Politics.
Cheers,
Chris

Brent - what's your take on days 5 or 6 thru 9, 10, or 11 of limited movement? Will charter guests be able to visit beach bars and restaurants?

They will be able to visit all Gold Seal establishments

Also there is no day of testing, day 4 go do your test and leave, an hour at the most . There is no waiting for the results.

So you're released to the next step without a negative test confirmed? That's not what I heard.

So part of Gold Seal is being "not high-traffic or high-risk"? Pretty sure we'll qualify for that!

Hi Jason,the non waiting is exactly what the Minister said during the press conference. The question was asked by the media.

Ahoy Captains,

This Virus is like another Class 5 Hurricane. It changes speed and direction and intensity every day, and we must be prepared to change with it. We are All doing the best we can to survive, physically and mentally and financially. Please stop blaming the People of the BVI for all this, blame the Virus.

There is tremendous push back on many of the Protocols, supported by many cancellations, so expect to see the BVI Gov cutting their political and economic losses wherever they can over the next few weeks.
The 8th day test seems to be in question. When the BVI Gov sees the cost and difficulty in sourcing the test material against world wide demand, it should be easy to cut their losses.
The Bracelets seem to be for the Locals, after the failed quarantine of the Locals in June/July. The Sailors are already physically isolated on their yachts and tracked with their phones. When the BVI Gov sees the start up costs and rate of hardware failure, it would be easy to cut their losses.
There is no definition of high risk or high traffic so it will be easy for the BVI Gov to cut their economic losses with local businesses.
The Airport Arrival test must be facilitated by a certified laboratory at the airport, otherwise it is just ‘catch and release’. If the ferry ports open up in JVD, WE, and VG, unless they have laboratories then those are all ‘catch and release’. So as mentioned by the BVI Premier, as soon as you are tested on the 4th day you are Free.
Tested on Day 1 on Arrival with a Free Sleepaboard, then 2 Nights in the Neutral Zone, then the 4th Day you get tested and are Free. And Day 4 you are in a harbor with fuel/water/ice to reload, or balls and bars if you want to overnight.
The ‘quarantine on the dock’ is the most controversial and possibly the biggest factor in cancellations right now. The BVI Gov can easily cut their loses by giving the yachts a Neutral Zone to sail around with Norman/ Peter/ Copper/ Marina Cay. In fact nothing has yet been finalized regarding the Yacht Charter industry and the dock quarantine and a Neutral Zone, so it would be very easy politically to ‘save’ the season.
Just today Thur 29.10.20 -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/29/uni...-london-to-boost-travel-in-pandemic.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/29/cor...ely-preparing-for-launch-of-vaccine.html

Please be a little Patient with yourselves and each other as we all battle this Virus as best we can. And remember on the Yacht there is No Masks and No Distancing and No Politics.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

I don't see anyone blaming the People. The blame falls squarely on the government for their communication skills and I can't imagine you don't actually believe that. They announced the opening too late, they did not include the protocols with the announcement, they announced the protocols after several missed promise dates, and the protocols they announced are impractical. This is evidenced by your continued justification that it will all work out because the protocols will fail.

The point is, the protocols that will likely fail are the same protocols that will force 70% or more vacationers to cancel. Nobody wants to wait until the protocols fail in January, the government spends 1 month rewriting them, and then another month to announce them. Just close the borders back down now and save all the drama.

Thanks for being a voice of reason in this discussion! There seems to be a tendency on the part of those who have already canceled to justify their decision with speculative abject pessimism.

Got to totally agree with Jason on this..the Government should have got all its ducks, or donkeys, in order before the release of the video and then the suffocating protocols. Right now everyone is a loser..us Villa owners, the Charter Companies..the tourists who wanted to come ..and the Government who arent going to make their tax $$. Look at the Hawaii model and get back to us..PLEASE!

At this point only the USVI model will work to get folks back. covid test negative before you come in. Take temperature at airport or seaport. You are in.

As someone who has their April 2021 airfare via STT already booked and a credit with Sunsail in hand, I'll share my thoughts about committing to a BVI charter vs just spending the week based in the USVI and saving the Sunsail credit for a future date.

Any 'quarantine on the dock' is a non-starter.

I would go for Brent's scenario of 1st night sleep aboard followed by 2 days in the neutral zone. This is likely to be our itinerary in any case. The clarifications I would seek here are can I visit the beaches even if I can't sit in the restaurants? Could I order takeaway from Pirate's Bight? Cooper Island? I would think contactless takeout is a win win - the restaurants get the revenue and I don't have to cook and clean.

Testing on Day 4 - I'm ok with this as it's needed for us to transfer back through STT at the end of our trip anyway, but only if the process is easy and conveniently located.

Days 4-6 - split between North Sound and JVD, no restrictions on visiting shore establishments

Day 7 - return boat and transfer to STT


This all assumes good measures are in place for social distancing, mask wearing, etc, regardless of location or day of charter.

I haven't given up on our 2021 BVI trip yet as I have some time between now and April to see how things shake out.

Nicely put Brent, everyone is fatigued with all of this and sometimes we get impatient for good news....

Brent, I agree with some of your points. Except I don't see anyone blaming the people. Most of us have been going down there for years and consider the people family. So our disdain is for the BVI government. Not the people. Like you, I suspect the government will realize the protocols are too stringent and will relent. And I totally agree with Jason above that this was handled in a bad way and will cost the BVI people some much needed income.

Agree 100%

It is the government everyone is upset with, not the people.
I don’t know how places like Soggy Dollar are going to survive without yachties and day trippers.
Personally, I would be too afraid to come down, even if I did have the time and money to quarantine for that long.
What if you get a false positive??
Oh - and you cannot “BBQ” on the docks - most of the monos we chatter have charcoal BBQs - no fires on the docks!

You would be surprised how often I see people BBQ on docks often with the smoke pouring into another boat. People also run generators at the dock which is unsafe to avoid paying for power use.

I know Soggy does a lot of online merchandise...at one point a couple of years ago they were doing 1 mil per month in merchandise but don't know how much is in store vs online. I just did my buddies Xmas shopping there online.

For me it is the government not having a plan..and they still don't. It was funny (in a sad way) to see them say "we had a plan from the beginning but we didn't tell you". There is no way for a business owner to plan if the government cant do it especially on and island where tourists need lead time as well to come...

It doesn't seem like they listen and certainly have lost the trust of the business owners that rely on tourism and the tourists themselves.

I agree about the people down there. If it wasn't for the great people I would just find another place to go as there are lots of great beaches in this world

The charterboat plan may be changing. Probably to late for me but stay tuned!
G

They also need to change the villa plan. It has to be along the lines of the USVI covid test before traveling, covid test on entry or better yet a temp test. Then you are free to travel. I do not trust a person at a dock or at the airport shoving something into my brain. Have no idea how competent they are., so just do not want to take the risk..

Worse yet, in yesterday's interview with 284 Media, Hon. Malone said they were going to train resort workers to do the swabbing for their guests. Imagine the angry lady that just sucked her teeth at you because you asked for a different t-shirt size sticking that swab up your nose...

Yes, when I heard that I thought they may actually be creating more risk of spreading the virus if the swabbing and sample handling is not done perfectly.

I totally respect their goal of protecting people from the disease but I think they have grasped at a number of different concepts without thinking through the entire picture and the scenarios for a typical tourist in each of the different tourism approaches (such as crewed charterers, bareboat charterers, villa guests, hotel guests, cottage guests, hybrid, day excursion guests, etc.) to make sure the counter-measures actually work.

One mistake by a "worker" and I can be sued by a guest who says her brain is screwed up. Not for me.

Jason--wow. One could not make this stuff up.

For the record, nobody at my place is swabbing noses! We'll be happy to arrange an "approved taxi" to the closest testing site but I'm not a swabber....

Yikes!!

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2020/09/30/covid-19-tracking-apps-leak-data/

Jason--I don't blame you. Craziness..

I'm guessing this could appeal to Necker and Mosquito, so their guests wouldn't have to endure the trek to Spanishtown, for example. I also read about allowing a nurse to do a site visit to collect samples, which seems like a good alternative.

A visiting nurse seems a much better solution..

Any "Self Test" kits being offered. Being used in the US to speed the process.

Now it turns out you will have to pay for their tracking system on your smartphone. No real number given but I heard $750 for 5 persons. The cost of a trip to the BVI is off the wall. They have to go with the USVI system covide test before you arrive and a temperature test at your point of arrival.

Ahoy Captains,

Solutions to the issue of 'quarantine on the yacht on the dock' are being proposed publicly -
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....solated-on-boats-dr-heskith-a-vanterpool

“A catamaran can hold about 8 or 12 people, 8 can sleep comfortably typically on four double beds…why can't those people go straight to the boat? They don't have to interact with the local people to a great degree because they can order their supplies online, they don't have to go to the supermarkets.”
He continued, “they go out into the sea, so it has the best open-air they have, they will come off on islands to go to restaurants etc, but maybe you limit that side of it… you can go to the beach not in huge crowds clearly.”

8th Day Virus Test is also under 'review' -
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=32112

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

While that would be better than staying in an on island "facility", I am not willing to do two additional tests (one on arrival and one on day 4 or 5), at my cost, and have contact tracing on my phone (my colleagues in cyber-security advised me against downloading the app). My crew isn't signing up for this either. We'll come back to the BVI one day to sail but will wait until restrictions lessen, tracing apps are not required and we can experience the islands as we had hoped to.