Nothing has changed for Belongers. Previously, they said work permit holders would be responsible for the full cost of security at $6048. It's mentioned again in this morning's article.

And things are subject to change. If lots of property owners say they're coming down in September, and the government realizes what it will cost to put them in hotels and feed them for two weeks, they may reconsider. I also suspect priority will be established, especially if the number who apply to return is large.

They are reportedly look at technology as well - like an app which monitors compliance with quarantine at home. Malcolm, have you got an iPhone?

I'm not optimistic for tourism.

This is a MAJOR change: https://bvinews.com/cost-for-govt-q...56rGY3Pz29K5VlIoGgk6qHJCe-6QKJbq2uydFzV0

Frankly I cannot figure out who can come in and who will be quarantined and what the cost is. And how do you get there. Only 2 airlines flying in form SJU. Do you have to quarantine in PR if you change flights in PR

When our property was inspected to house quarantine returnees, the representative from the Health Ministry mentioned they were considering implementing gps bracelets to save on security costs. Haven't heard anything since but it is an option being considered.

Nothing has changed since the Press conference at no time did they say people would be paying for Government facility quarantine during September only for security for private residences.

They state quite clearly that the costs start on October 1st and people can return from September 1st

Agreed, it was always free for BVI Nationals. I was referring the previous policy in which they stated ex-pats were responsible for their quarantine cost. In the latest press conference, they didn't say they were reversing this cost. They just said it was changing October 1.
12 August info

The previous policy did not allow anybody else in the territory except BVI nationals , everything changed at the press conference nothing has changed since then.

Ahoy Captains,

It looks like the BVI Gov is preparing for the logistics of increased testing and treatment possibly related to tourism soon -
https://bvinews.com/bvihsas-lab-infrastructure-being-upgraded-to-meet-covid-demands/
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....als-complete-14-day-mandatory-quarantine
And testing internationally continues to improve with over 2 months before the start of the BVI charter season -
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/17/dr-scott-gottlieb-touts-yale-new-saliva-based-coronavirus-test.html

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Got it, thanks for the clarification.

Jason or Mal, can you point me to where it indicates that Land Hold Licenses can enter the BVI in September?

How do we apply to get our villa approved?

So many questions without clear cut answers.

Thanks!

It was forwarded to me by Dennis The Sugar Mill but I cant get it to post here..it should be on the Gov website..three pages long. From what I understand you have to stay in an approved location ( hotel) like The Sugar Mill. Seems the rate drops from $3,500 to $2,500 in October..still trying to find out more. Jason may well be better informed..

Sky2Play, haven't seen anything yet about getting properties approved. In phase one they approved properties of those quarantining at home, but then stopped that program when people cheated and snuck out.

They do say all categories are eligible for free government quarantine in September. Maybe the government will pay for Jason to host Mal for a couple weeks!

Sleepychef posted it near the top but here is the link to FB.

I think when you fill out the gvot application online, you can specify where you want to quarantine. Not sure what they will say about JVD since I'm not sure if they have security officers there.

Thanks Jason, Mal, and Ratman's wife!

I am hoping they will pay Jason to quarantine us too!

I am expecting some kind of news today since the BVI "Re-Entry Website" is Temporarily Unavailable due to being updated.

Press Release 18 August

Statement from Premier

Update on Cost Sharing of quarantine costs

I'm not very good at posting over here - it's been too long. Wanted to make sure you saw this (especially Mal). This is the latest I have seen.

Classic..talk about cliches! So...Oct 1 for $2,500 is a very longshot possibilty for us..nothing mentioned about tourists , the Online Regatta etc. I really dont see spending our time down the road from our own house that we have paid $$$ for and $$$ to the Gov in taxes and sales $$. I am hoping they will come up with a real plan..AND SOON!

How kind of the government to only charge a $3,500 fee if you want to quarantine yourself or family in your home.

The BVI Re-Entry Website is back up. I am not sure what, if anything, has changed as I had not looked carefully at the previous site.

The site URL is: https://www.bvitravel.vg/

Listening to the Government update right now. Another case was detected today. The person hadn't left or entered the Territory. The apartment building the person stayed in is under quarantine and they apparently went to some bars & restaurants.

The BVI is not in total isolation. I sail at night more than most on trips. The amount of small boat traffic, often without lights between the USVI and the BVI after dark is surprising.
G

I am really starting to doubt we will get back in November

iIf the BVI does not open up by November, then the 2020/2021 tourist season is over. Folks decide to go on vacation many months before they go. I think they are waiting for the magic pill, but it is not available yet. They could test and not quarantine. That is the only answer.

BVI Spring Regatta is being mentioned for the first time for end of October???

Oh wow - well that sounds a little more hopeful, Peter!!
I guess I shouldn’t lose all hope just yet!

I wonder if Voyage Charters knows something we do not.

I received both a phone call and an email today from Voyage regarding booking a charter departing November 1, 2020.

This has me wondering... this scenario sounds like NZ who recently discovered a few new cases after 100+ of days without any new cases. The people affected did not travel outside the country and authorities are attempting to determine how they become infected. They are looking at the cold storage facility that one of the persons works at. Could the virus become dormant if you will, in cold temperatures during food transportation, then reactive?

Or could the virus already be circulating everywhere and is impossible to contain because it has already infiltrated the globe? And in this case in the Territory, was it was discovered through testing because someone was sick enough to warrant a test? How many cases lurking with minor symptoms?

So I guess my point is, there is so much we do not understand, but it seems hiding from the virus aka lockdowns do not work. It appears the pesky virus will continue to spread regardless. Best course of action is personal prevention though hygiene, distancing and masks.

What did they say, we are schedule the last week in October.

Complaining about how other nations and governments fight this pandemic with and for their citizens doesn't make a lick of sense when 50 states and half a dozen territories of the USA can't agree on what is best.

Kind of behooves us to remember that our close neighbors to the north aren't in any hurry to throw open their gates, either. Heck, even our own Caribbean territories are cranky about our visiting right now..

When it comes to the tourism economy, there are many, many spots right here in the contiguous 48 that do truly need a whole lotta help.

If we could help our US selves get over this misery, we'd be of a lot more worth to our worldwide neighbors and friends.

This is not NZ d-Fish it is confirmed a guy from St Thomas entered illegally , the guy who is in quarantine and number 12 has now made cases jump to at least another 9 so BVI at 21 and has community spread , we will wait till tonight to see what measures they take to contain it, curfew probably to stop the spread at the Bars/Clubs where it came from. Hopefully no lockdown but its storm season anyway so let get comfy for a couple of weeks! Everyone needs to go to Worldwide Travel forum and join in on the game.