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BVI Travel - COVID Testing

Posted By: Zanshin

BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 08:25 AM

The BVI Travel requirements page (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/british-virgin-islands/entry-requirements) states that I need a rt-PCR test 3-5 days before travel. I wonder about the minimum 3 days part, it doesn't make sense that results closer to arrival than 3 days won't be accepted. Has anyone here traveled to the BVI recently with a rt-PCR test date less than those 3 days? I am asking because getting my test(s) in a row for my trip requires me to fulfil 3 different test rules (netherlands, Sint Maarten & BVI) and they all have mutually exclusive rules - particularly since my tests here all take 48 hours for results and if one adds the 24-hours before travel requirement for test results that brings me past the 72-hour limit for SXM!

<sigh> Travel has become even less fun now.
Posted By: picaflores

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 12:09 PM

Traveling is no fun for sure these days...

You could contact Henrietta Alexander, she is very helpful and has all info you may need as to travel and the portal.
She is in charge of BVI portal approvals, and is always ready to help. Many people contact her through Facebook messenger, although email is preferred.
Hope this helps make it a bit less stressful!

Her email is : halexander@gov.vg
Posted By: Zanshin

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 12:58 PM

Thanks for that address! I sent an e-mail to the official portal e-mail yesterday and will wait one more day to see if I hear back from them but will contact her if I don't hear back. I'm optimistic that they'll say "anything under 5 days" since any other answer doesn't make sense - why should an older result be better than a more recent one? If that is the case then I'll only need one test instead of 3 tests and will have a to take a 2-hour train trip to a testing center in Nuremburg on Saturday and 2-hours back.

The flight from SXM to EIS is more expensive than my train trip to the airport in Germany and flights from there to SXM! But my cost savings on the intercontinental flight are spent in all the different EHAS, insurance requirements (my German insurance covers COVID, but is written in German so I had to buy the bogus BVI insurance) and other fees. I don't foresee many, if any, european vacationers in the BVI anytime soon as there are much cheaper and nicer locations within reach. And if Riteway doesn't deliver my supplies (consisting mainly Caribe and limes) to the hotel at Nanny Cay for my quarantine period I'll be in deep doo-doo smile
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 01:04 PM

Zanshin--with regard to your question re the SXM entry requirements, I answered over there on the SXM board. Good luck!!
Posted By: Zanshin

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 01:22 PM

Carol - thanks, I saw that. But that answer prompted this question and if I can do a BVI test only 2 days before travel, I can reduce my tests from 3 to 1. Otherwise I need to do a free test tomorrow, a $120 test on Friday and another $120 on Saturday plus the 4-hour round trip by train for each one. While tests (both rt-PCR and quick-tests) here in Germany are free, they don't send results for 48 hours and don't work on weekends so I can't use those for this trip and need to do those special tests frown
Posted By: Carol_Hill

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 01:32 PM

Sorry, I don't know anything about BVI testing requirements. Good luck. We just had a real tribulation to get our test here, but am thankful to be heading out to SXM tomorrow..
Posted By: JasonHelmbrecht

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Zanshin
Carol - thanks, I saw that. But that answer prompted this question and if I can do a BVI test only 2 days before travel, I can reduce my tests from 3 to 1. Otherwise I need to do a free test tomorrow, a $120 test on Friday and another $120 on Saturday plus the 4-hour round trip by train for each one. While tests (both rt-PCR and quick-tests) here in Germany are free, they don't send results for 48 hours and don't work on weekends so I can't use those for this trip and need to do those special tests frown

is it 2 days before travel or BVI arrival? If it's 3-5 days before arrival, you're fine.

Also, Malcom was tested in STT on the same day as arrival so based on that I'd say you're going to be OK but would wait for official word...
Posted By: RatmansWife

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 01:41 PM

What day are you arriving? My lime tree is heavy with fruit.
Posted By: Zanshin

Re: BVI Travel - COVID Testing - 06/09/2021 02:30 PM

Thanks Jason - things are looking up, as of a couple of hours ago the transit through Schiphol in the Netherlands from Germany no longer requires their specific COVID test, so now I just have to juggle the weekend and different SXM and BVI requirements and if the BVI allows a Saturday test for Monday travel then I should make it with just one test and one train trip.
RW - Once I'm out of quarantine at Nanny Cay I'm hopping straight over to CRC, by then Mal should be back from his gallivanting around the BVI. And he's more of a Heineken or Red Stripe character than a Caribe so those limes would just go to waste smile But thanks for the offer!!!
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