Hi, I'm new here, but thank you for all of the great info everyone shares about the BVI and sailing in her waters. We are scheduled to come down to the BVI to bareboat over the Christmas/New Year holiday. We extended our stay by four days (now total of 12 days) to allow for the four-day quarantine and still provide us about a week to go ashore (assuming negative test results). I have been reading a lot about the rules & regulations for visitors coming to the BVI to cruise. Below I have outlined what I have gathered so far. There are a few “loose ends” and hopefully this group can help fill-in any missing info or at least confirm that certain info isn’t yet available.

1. The BVI intends to reopen to visitors on 1-Dec-2020 by air or on 8-Dec-2020 by ferry
2. Visitors must be PCR tested for Covid19 with negative result within five days of travel/arrival to BVI a. Bring printed and electronic copies of the test results with you for presentation to immigration as requested.
3. Goto the BVI Gateway Website and apply and receive a “Travel Authorization” certificate prior to traveling to the BVI.
a. Traveler will need their “Travel Authorisation” document in order to board a flight/ferry bound for the BVI.
b. Upload negative Covid19 test result from item #2 prior to travel? This supposedly doesn’t work yet, but is being worked on? Website says that it is part of the workflow.
c. “You are required to upload medical travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related costs”. This quotation is taken from the Gateway website, but it doesn’t provide any specific requirements, sources or cost to obtain this insurance.
4. There is a fee/charge of US$175 per person that will be collected (not sure where/how this is paid) to cover:
a. Arrival Day (Day 0) Covid19 PCR test (result will be provided electronically within 24 hours) i. If anyone on boat receives a positive test result from Day 0 test, 14 day quarantine begins. Supposedly this quarantine could be performed on the boat? Can’t find specific info on this.
b. “Day 4” (Day 4) Covid19 PCR test (result will be provided within 24 hours)
i. Multiple locations on Tortola, VG, JVD, and Anegada for testing.
ii. Visitor will schedule the Day 4 test through some means provided???
iii. BVI gov’t will provide transportation from an agreed port/dock to the scheduled testing location and back to the port/dock.
iv. Note: assuming release on morning of Day 5 (24 hours after Day 4 test), there is a total of six days or parts thereof that will be spent in quarantine. Quarantine starts on Day 0 (arrival day).
c. Smartphone APP provided to monitor/track individual’s movement in the BVI during quarantine period. This APP requires WiFi connection to the Internet so boat will require WiFi.
d. Bracelet/wearable device provided to monitor/track individual’s movement in the BVI during quarantine period. No specifics have been provided on the bracelet and it’s waterproof quality – need more info here.
5. From immigration/entry, cruisers will take a prearranged taxi directly to their boat which must be pre-provisioned for the period of the quarantine. Quarantine starts immediately upon arrival at the boat. During quarantine:
a. Boats will be allowed to travel in BVI waters only (entire charter period)
b. Captain & Crew must stay aboard or within 30 feet of boat when swimming
c. Overnight anchorages may be limited. Can’t find any specific info on this yet.
d. Daytime movement within BVI waters is not restricted except possibly in the “exclusion zone” if it remains in force past 1-December-2020? Exclusion zone image
e. There will be some remote beaches available to go ashore and walk on during the quarantine. This exceeds the 30 feet rule, but supposedly will be allowed. Can’t find any specific info on this yet.
f. “Curbside delivery” will be available to quarantine boats from restaurants who will do “touchless delivery” by boat. Can’t find any specific info on this yet as to which restaurants.
6. Morning of Day 5, receive PCR test results from Day 4 test. If negative, remove bracelet and APP and free to go ashore without limitations.
a. If anyone on boat tests positive, quarantine extended for another ten days. This supposedly will be able to continue on the boat. Need further info to confirm this. Logistics would need to be handled with charter company as boat may have following charter. I’ve heard that there is enough inventory in the charter fleets at this time that rearranging boats for an additional quarantine period should be possible. If not, captain and crew could need to go to another approved quarantine location including possibly a government run location.
7. BVI Gov’t will provide access to PCR testing for US$70 for visitors who need a negative test prior to traveling back to home country.

Thanks and regards,

Bruce