USVI Travel Portal being discontinued?

Just saw a post on FB that the USVI Travel Portal will be discontinued on June 1st.
Has anyone heard anything about this?

The news story was published in the VI Consortium as well. What is unclear is if they will require tests/vaccine cards shown at entry or not. The CDC has not changed international arrival requirements so that process is unclear too.

Meanwhile, trivia night and open mic night canceled in Coral Bay due to COVID outbreaks. Symptoms are minimal for everyone I have spoken to. We have six close friends presently testing positive for COVID - two went to Jazz Fest, two went to visit Mom in the hospital, two work in villa management. We are masking indoors again.

Cheers, RickG

As I am travelling down June 4th I'd love to hear if this is fact! Thanks..

well publicized on the USVI sites so I believe it's true but they are also seeing large increases in active cases.

Searching the interweb it seems the Govenor has confirmed no more portal after June 1..I assume that means you just show vax proof? They dont spell it out very clearly. Love for the BVI's to get in line with them..

We are pretty aligned already. No BVI portal, just show up with test and proof of vax.

I don't understand how this is supposed to work, since the rules to enter the mainland US still require a test, regardless of whether you are vaccinated or not.

Will probably be like SJU. The carrier confirms the test result at check-in.

Oh, ok.

But it seems the USVI now does not require a test..or am I missing something?

no test to arrive from the US since it's domestic but I suspect a return will still require a test.

I think it would be wise to wait until the new entry requirements are published to declare what is and what is not required, with an effective date. I would feel bad if people travelling in the next few days were to be misled from something written online, and then were unprepared to meet the requirements. Also, it is not clear if any testing/vaccination requirements have changed.

the latest update looks like the portal will still be used for international (including BVI) arrivals to the USVI but not domestic arrivals.

I am seeing on FB that the USVI travel portal will no longer be required for international travelers from the BVI starting June 1, 2022.

Details should be out tomorrow. Testing timing may change to go from BVI to USVI. Important detail to be learned.

Both of you are speculating. Reading something on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s true.

The USVI portal still applies to travelers from the BVI.

FYI-I don't read Facebook if I can help it. My info came from the Governor's office:

https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-r...testing-for-domestic-travel-ends-june-1/

Perhaps the governor misspoke, or he didn't understand what he was saying. I would think a clarifying statement would be issued? As stated, yes, the USVI portal is in effect for BVI to USVI travel as of today.

Obviously, no change to testing requirements or timing as of now.

I said the information came from FB for a reason, but the poster has been very accurate in the past, as he runs one of the well known charter company's in the BVI.

Portal site has been updated. All info located here:

https://usviupdate.com/

Right. The portal is still required for travelers from the BVI. Ian Clark, who's a friend of mine, originally posted the news and then corrected it by saying the portal was still required for international travelers.

it was clarified (again) yesterday that the portal will be dropped today for USVI arrivals from the BVI. Different answer than last week so let's see what happens. Also a rumor that all testing MAY be 1 day instead of 5 for sea arrivals.

Where does it say that the portal is dropped for international arrivals?

Found it, I stand corrected (again)

I was traveling yesterday, lol.

not sure they could make it more confusing. Even the BVI was a little more decisive....

It is very interesting that the CDC's order on testing refers primarily to air passengers, from what I have been able to discern from the CDC website. There does not appear to be anything specific that applies to US citizen travelers returning from the BVI to the USVI via ferry.

Of course, it makes sense that some testing will be required, but looking for the information from the CDC is a struggle. I hope that the USVI leaders clarify testing and timing soon. Otherwise, safest course of action appears to be to test one day prior to return.

Anyone else have better info or insight?

No longer speculation.
https://usvitravelscreening.com/

There is no requirement for a covid test on a international arrival by sea. I suspect the cruise ship industry was able to exempt sea arrivals from the CDC requirements. The 5 day rule for sea arrivals was enacted locally by the USVI. With no portal I suspect the rule is now gone but they could require test results on arrival. It really makes no sense when cruise ship passengers are all over the USVI.

If you do not have to test, when returning by ferry, from the BVI.

Would you really need a test result to fly back to the US?

So, for those returning from the BVI to the USVI today, as an example, they will be asked for a passport at USVI C&I? Will they also be asked for their vaccine card? Or will they be asked just for a negative test? Within how many days?

With the portal removal, they also removed all guidance deferring to the CDC guidelines. I would think something needs to get published soon, or the incoming traveler process from sea passengers will be very chaotic, and SLOW!

Maybe this is because most cruise ships require testing before boarding?

There is no test requirement to fly to the US mainland from the USVI. It is a US territory. The testing requirements for US entry only apply to international arrivals by Air. Flying from the BVI to the USVI or Puerto Rico still require testing. Under current US rules if you arrive by sea to the USVI and fly out to the mainland US no tests are required.
That assumes the USVI does not decide to enact a USVI only rule as they did with the portal and 5 day testing requirement. As I read it now if you ferry from the BVI to the USVI and fly home no tests are required.

Heck, before you had to show your vaccination card to get into the USVI from ConUS via the portal - and if you weren't vaxed (like my grandchildren), you had to show your negative CoVid test. Now, not so sure. But I have to deal with this situation inn about 3 weeks (going to St John), so hope they clear this up - or at least we get to see what others have had to do!

Hi BVI TTOL Friends:

We are booked into STT October 25 party of four adults on three cabin cat with Dream Yacht USVI. One of our crew is unvaccinated.
There seems to be some ambiguity with regards to re-entry to USVI from BVI for US citizens who test negative and are unvaccinated.

BVI now allows our unvaccinated compadre to enter BVI with current negative covid test, and no quarantine is required.

To re-enter USVI, the new guidance as of June 1 2022 indicates that international travelers will need negative current covid test and proof of vaccination to re-enter USVI. Thus, if we depart USVI and check into BVI, we will need another test as well as proof of vaccination to reenter USVI, as US citizens.

The confusion arises from conversation with USVI Tourism Board. They state that proof of vaccination is not required to re-enter USVI from BVI, the negative test is required.

In practical terms, has anyone been through the process? Can we confirm that proof of vaccination as well as negative test is required for re-entry for US citizens to USVI from BVI?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light here.

Best-

JAM
Annapolis, Md

Just a few days ago got $300 of eMed tests for getting back into the US (via ferry) after our BVI charter in a couple of weeks.

anybody want to buy an eMed test, cheap? actually, according to my wife, our insurance company should reimburse us, so I guess it's more insurance.

I would think that testing will still be required. Wait a day or so and I feel sure additional guidance from the USVI stipulating testing will be required to return on the ferry from the BVI to the USVI, the question being the timing (5 days vs. 1 day). So I wouldn't sell your BinaxNow tests just yet.

According to their website, the USVI is deferring to CDC guidance which does not require testing for land or ferry entrance into the US.
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2021/10/29...-us-land-ports-entry-and-ferry-terminals

I wonder what is happening on the ground at the ferry dock at Charlotte Amalie right now when a boat returns? Are people able to just show a passport with no proof of vaccination or negative test? Or does that apply only to only US citizens? Or are they asking for vaccine card and negative test from all?

Seems the CDC says nothing applies to US citizens returning by ferry, but doesn't make any sense, given current covid situation. I would think the USVI will figure out that perhaps some sort of screening of ferry travelers is appropriate, or do they figure the BVI has already done all the screening necessary?

The BVI does no screening on departing passengers and our numbers aren't great. Been 2 weeks since an update, but the active cases were at 132 then.

Having just recently been very sick with COVID (triple vaxxed), I would encourage caution. It beat me down HARD!

Jason, I meant that the incoming screening that the BVI does acts as the USVI's screening, both ways. Not a great policy stance, but easier on the USVI from an administrative cost standpoint. Time will tell....

That incoming screen is pretty old by the time most people leave considering the active cases here and the lack of protection going on. Seems the new Minister of Health might actually be worse than the old one.....

The BVI tourist board has "officially confirmed" today that the USVI is aligning with the CDC so no testing required for ferry arrivals. From a very solid source....

One less hurdle thank God ( whoever she is). Arriving June 6th and looking forard to seeing Jason, Tif and all my pals..

One less hurdle thank God ( whoever she is). Arriving June 6th and looking forard to seeing Jason, Tif and all my pals..But still 48 hour testing prior to BVI arrival..if not ferry dock? I am doing a test today but will be outside the 48 hours by the time I get to the BVI..should I just skip it and do it at the ferry dock or am I better off at least showing a neg test?

Don't skip. You'll still need a test to board the ferry (within 5 days).

Have you double checked that you can even take a Dream Yacht boat from USVI to BVI. Unless they have gone through the process to get the boat approved to charter in the BVI or unless you are the boat's owner (and this can still be complicated) you most likely can't take it over to the BVI.

Have you double checked that you can even take a Dream Yacht boat from USVI to BVI. Unless they have gone through the process to get the boat approved to charter in the BVI or unless you are the boat's owner (and this can still be complicated) you most likely can't take it over to the BVI.

Hi Sue-, no we have not checked! Thanks for the head's up!

best- JAM

out of all the companies, DYC is the least likely to have this available.

We head home tomorrow on water taxi and I will report back on process.

Here is DYC agent response:

"Since the pandemic, none of the charter boats are permitted to go from USVI to BVI and vice versa.
I know that the charter companies are working to change that, but as far as I know, this remains in effect."

plenty of boats being moved around so that is false. Generally, the boats have to be properly registered, inspected, and authorized but can be moved by a local captain and used either place. DYC is using that as an excuse to deceive customers.

Returning home from BVI with water taxi was easy today. No tests required.

Hi Rush- thank you for the update- did you have to show vaccine card or other proof of covid? One of our prospective crew is not vaccinated. Thanks!
JAM

Thank you, Jason!

I will politely bring this up with DYC, stand by....

best-

JAM

Ask any TMM boat owner. Those boats are being used in the BVI and USVI. Roan Thorton is moving boats regularly for charter companies.

TMM owner here - boats primarily being taken to USVI by owners - as tests are still required to get back into BVI there is a risk of a boat on charter being stuck and not able to meet next booking obligation. Roan has moved boats for a few owners before we were allowed to move back and forth - not sure what he is moving now. Perhaps others can chime in. Our boat has stayed in BVI waters.