We have a date!

OK, what am I missing?? More info?

Ahoy Captains,

Here is the speech from Premier Fahie
https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovernment/videos/3256235931128776
Dec 1 is at 56:30 and 57:10 and 1:01:45.

BVI News Reports -
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=32013
https://bvinews.com/bvi-reopening-for-tourism-on-december-1/
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/vi-reopens-to-international-visitors-on-dec-1-2020

Leopard 42/43 Cat for 7 Nights between Dec 2 and Dec 24 for $2800.
2017 Leopard 45 Cat for 7 Nights between Dec 2 and Dec 17 for $7000.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Hi Carol. The Premier announced it today on Facebook Live along with the launch of a new marketing campaign called "BVI Love". Believe this is a change away from "Nature's Little Secrets". There was no more details other than the BVI Love Campaign and the borders opening on December 1st

further information is needed as to whether the ferries to/from STT will be operational. NO quarantine as this would be a deal breaker. Probably would require covid free incoming paperwork and probably testing at the airport/ports.

I'm guessing they will start off with no ferries, airport only arrivals. That would make screening and testing much easier. Passenger ferries to the USVI represent too much risk at the current time. Cruise ships are the bigger question.

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/bvi-reopens-visitors-december-1

No discussion on ferry and cruise ship restrictions or upcoming updates mentioned in this release that I see... Anything in other releases?

They are not going to get bookings without a detailed plan.

“They”?

I'm not holding my breath.

As said we need much more info than this. We like to fly through St Thomas..tell us about the ferries. Will you have to have a neg Covid test and be tested again when you arrive? Etc etc..Come on guys ..show us some pf that "BVI Love".

We all obviously want more information, but at least this is a step in the right direction! Hopefully the government will provide all of these necessary details sooner rather than later but I am just happy a date has finally been announced

Arrival is one issue, but how about departure? Even if flying, and not using ferries, will need to clear/arrive at STT or SJU. What will they require for those transiting? Could we even hope to get same day tests on Tortola? This could throw a big monkey wrench into things.........

For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.

Not sure what you are suggesting. You indicate you don't have any confidence that a vaccine will work and you don't want to wear a mask. Yet you are thinking things will be "back to previous normal" in the spring. So I'm curious how you think we're getting back to some level of normal by spring time - what will change by then?

I suspect masks are a part of airline travel for a very long time. I can assure you, the BVI Government is not letting up on masks anytime soon.

I did not say I don't have confidence a vaccine will work. I said I don't believe it will work for everyone. You twisted my words. I also said I "hope" things will be back to normal in the spring. Again, you twisted my words. I am permitted to have hope, correct? Do I believe things will change much by spring? No. But I can certainly hope.

Can't say I disagree Jason. Just hoping.

So we have a charter Dec 4th. This is cutting it super close, and clearly we will know more in the coming 6 weeks. Whatever the health requirements are, we will do them. However, it would be super helpful knowing what will be open. It would be amazing if the local businesses in BVI could start a forum like they did after the hurricanes stating who is opening and when.

I am ready to buy tickets to go to my villa early in Dec. However so many questions still are in play. I need to travel with 200 lbs of things for the villa,I want to fly Miami- STT so now I need an inexpensive ferry to/from the BVI. no quarantine for sure so i can go to town to buy things. So many questions, so few answers yet.

By December 4th, you will have no issues with things being open. Most places are open now including many establishments that normally close in September. The only exceptions I can think of are on JVD and Anegada but by December they will all be open and excited to greet guests!

Thorsten, with business class tickets on United, the two of us get four, 70 lb. bags. And they cost only a few dollars more than American economy.

Problem is I have about 8 bags worth to bring with me. AA charges $150 per bag over 2. Just too much. may have to ship via aeropost

Thorsten - when is your arrival date?

I have not yet purchased tickets but thinking of Dec2-15 from Miami to STT

Thorsten, in my opinion that would be a risky move. There has been no word on restarting passenger ferries to St. Thomas, and if you have to charter a plane to the BVI with that much luggage it will be expensive.

TP- Aeropost is so expensive. If you have to go that route have you thought of having it shipped via ship? After Irma, I shipped a good size generator via Crowley out of Miami to Tortola for about $100.00. ( I shipped it directly to the port via amazon for free.) Other assorted boxes since than were about 50.00 each.
Tropical helped me get 2700 lbs / 2 BIG pallets of chicken cages from Canada to Tortola for 800.00.

Ship was the way to go for me. PM me if you want the contact info for who helped me with this.

I have used Tropical with great, easy success. Just pay in Road Town when the stuff arrives.

I absolutely agree! Would be super helpful to know which businesses will be open.

I have shipped thousands of lbs of materials to the BVI using Source Logistics in Maimi. Also use Aeropost marine which goes by ship. Always looking for a "better way"
Have also shipped several 40 ft containers (about 9k per container) Also a couple of suv's

Right now AA does not charge for a flight change , so I can use the "ticket" for another flight. Very low rates right now. Like $136 one way. from Miami. Unless the government allows ferries to/from STT then the opening up will be useless.

If not ferries, what about private boat transfers?

As of now, the only entry point is Beef Island, and everyone who has returned (legally) has come through there. They have enough room there to segregate people coming in. I'm guessing they will require a Covid fast test on arrival. Where would they segregate and test everyone coming off a ferry? Maybe if they switched the ferries to the cruise pier. For now, Beef Island it is, and I don't have a problem with that.

I am happy to find a flight from STT to Beef if that is what we’ll need to do.
I am guessing VI Airlink is my best bet??

Anyone have any thoughts about how to get BACK to STT for our return? We’re staying at Emerald Beach the night before....

This is now top of mind for me...is it "You can check in but you can't check out?"

There is testing available on Tortola for travel purposes but I think it was around $135. It would work if you were land based on Tortola but if you're chartering you'd have to plan a day on Tortola about 3 days before you leave so the logistics would be tough.

Maybe we need to offer a special TTOL rate for Testing Time here at Coconut Breeze Villas. There are worse places to wait a few days for test results...

Easy enough to get the boat into CGB and get a test done on island somewhere if need be....we are on her 10 days.

I received an E-Mail from Nanny Cay regarding the opening on December 1 hinting that I should reserve a haul-out slot soon with the implication that they would soon be overwhelmed by requests. I'd love to come on Dec 1 but have to admit that I think my chances are better for winning the lottery than traveling to the BVI without problems on that date. And I don't even play the lottery! I am fairly certain that most travelers are going to be as skeptical as I am; there won't be a rush towards the BVI in December until it is certain that any travel plans won't be invalidated shortly before departure or return. Although I can think of worse places to self-quarantine that the Château Relaxeau...

Hi Thorsten - we use Tamarind out of ft lauderdale - they are a less than contairner load shipper - goods delivered on thrusday are in VG by tuesday the following week - we have all our villa purchases of things like stoves sent there and have had a zero loss rate. cheers Brian

I agree with some of you that it would be nice if businesses started a 'who's open' chat; however, please remember that BVI businesses are as in the dark about the 'opening' as you are. we too are unable to answer most of the questions from potential visitors that get lobbed at us.

SusanZ...Totally get that. Especially right now. Just thinking in the weeks to come any info regarding who's open would obviously dictate our itinerary when we get there on Dec 4th. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful islands for the first time!

In a normal year, everyone starts opening mid-October. Since we've all been without income for many months, everything I can imagine will be open by December 4th. Do you have something in mind you're concerned about? I can ask around if I know what types of places you're think of.

Jason-- well it largely depends on restrictions, We are all assuming its a full opening. But is it?I really don't know. Assuming there are charter yacht guests, Foxy's will definitely be opening. We found it comical when tourist board would call us back in April/May and as us when we were opening. Our confusion mainly has to do with the types of activities \we can host, how to market events responsibly and how to execute them. Most things on JVD, Foxy's included is open air so I feel like social distancing won't be overly difficult but it still poses some challenges. We get tons of calls about NYE but really have no idea if we can have the party or what that will look like.

Great point on restrictions. I sure wish we knew more! Since the OP is a charter guest, I guess I was answering based on charter boats operating. Assuming that's true, I can't think of much that would be closed. Even the smaller inside places like Banana's in CGB are already open. Around CGB, the only things I can think of currently closed are Quito's (opening soon) and Bananakeet. Even Anegada has lots of places already open and the rest will certainly open assuming there are charter guests.

"You can check in but you can't check out?"

There has to be a song in there somewhere.

Where is LandCrab when we need him?

Thank you both, Jason and Susan. That def gives us more confidence to head down. We are targeting the standard establishments that most charters do. (Soggy, Foxy's, Myett's, Banakeet, Calwood's, Pirate's Bight, Willy T's, and Cooper Island beach Club) We are very used to the dining and social restrictions up here in San Diego (where our numbers are very good) so it wont be a big deal to have some of those same guidelines in place come December in BVI. I cant imagine how hard it's been for the local economy...hang tight, we're on our way!

Eagles? That ad for the Roach Hotel? Maybe clicking one's heels three times will do the trick.....oh, wait that's from some movie!

Anyone hearing when the BVI will actually publish the rules to enter and exit. If it’s just the airport it will slow things quite a bit. Airfare for the week before Xmas is 304 to STT and 1000 plus to EIS.
G

With change fees being waived, I would highly recommend changing tickets to SJU where the flights to EIS are more plentiful and less expensive. They won't last long but there are options....

I sometimes try SJU and then a small airline to Beef. I can usually do points to SJU , then pay a premium for the short flight over, but overall not terrible. I just had to cancel my November plans in which i paid 400 RT SJU to Beef, but my NYC to SJU was non stop and points only.... Hope I can something similar when I rebook my charter.... after 4 cancelled Vaca's this year, I am not rebooking until January when i see what has transpired after a months time open. Hoping not like USVI that shut back down for a little while.

To try to bring in tourists..and us "residents"..on December 1 without getting the ferries running irom StT is utter stupidity.'Nuff said..

Agree with Mal.....sticking with STT at this point and will opt for VI Airlink if we have to on 12/3....

You’d think they’d figure out something - what are customers of CYOA going to do if they want to visit the BVI on charter post opening??? Or any other USVI-based boats?

IATA is pushing for rapid testing at international airports for passengers before boarding the aircraft.

Goal is to adequately reduce risk to the recipient country so that they can open up to travelers.

Warren - so we would test in Miami for the flight to St. Thomas? Sounds like a good idea!

We moved our TMM charter from May to Dec 6. TMM called this week and thinks we will be in and ferries should be running. We really hope so. We booked flights this summer from ATL to STT but can adjust if we can just go. We have always chartered in late spring/early summer and December should be a treat.

On the test, our daughter traveled earlier this month to Croatia for a mission trip. She took 2 Covid PCR tests that week. One 3 days before the flight and the other hours before the flight. That allowed her to have a negative test report for the travel and then the other negative test results emailed to her. The recent test allowed her to enter the country with no quarantine or restrictions.

That’s great - BVIYC said the same thing - they think ferries will be running.

What TMM boat are you on? We start our trip 12/5 - we are on Beneteau 41 Nicola - maybe we will see you guys out there.

We will be on Tortuga, a 46' Lagoon. We originally tried to get Warrens boat Scuba Doo again like 2 years ago but it was booked for the orginal time we wanted to go.

It will be exciting to be on an almost brand new boat this trip! We will look for you.

I had a funny feeling you were going to say that! David and Wendy are good friends of ours - looking forward to seeing their new baby out and about! Let’s share a cold one somewhere!

Winterstale, my husband and I had Nicola a few years back and loved it. The hydrauic swim platform was great and the boat was very comfortablel and easy to sail.. Enjoy your trip. I see that it has been quite a "trip" to get there!

Marisol - we’ve been with BVIYC for 10+ charters now! We chartered Tootsie back in 2014 - same exact layout as Nicola - LOVED the boat. Fun to sail and super comfortable for 2!

Yes Winterstale, we have been with BVIYC for at least that long too. And we also sailed Tootsie! I guess we have the same taste in sail boats. I sure wish that I had my next trip booked. Longing to get back. Best wishes for a great trip.

The CDC has released some new Covid 19 data. Hopefully it will help the BVI government in their decision to reopen. The new numbers are in line with the flu. Just booked a 16 Dec trip!
G

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released an update to their research on the fatality rate associated with COVID-19. The CDC first posted this data on May 20, 2020, with the understanding that the parameter values would be updated and augmented over time. This update, dated September 10th, is based on data received by CDC through August 8, 2020.

A quick summary of COVID-19 survival rates is shown below. The summary is based on the CDC table provided at the end of this report.

CDC COVID-19 Survival Rates

Age 0-19 — 99.997%
Age 20-49 — 99.98%
Age 50-69 — 99.5%
Age 70+ — 94.6%

I saw those last week.

I'm VERY comfortable getting back to a normal life with those odds!!!

However, the BVI and any country, obviously will do what they do...???

Can you please post a link to the data?

Dan

Johns Hopkins, whose data is beyond the influence of elected officials, has the US COVID death rate at 2.9%. The flu fatality rate over many years averages 0.1%. Unless you believe in conspiracy theories, this is different than the flu.
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality

This has NOTHING to do with the BVI.. As stated previously, this is not the place to quote all these various Covid stats. Plenty of places to do that other than here.

Still waiting for the BVI to get their act together and publish all the fine print to the dec 1 opening. I have tickets on AA that day to STT. It's about time that they stop worrying about midwifes and go to the more important issues like their economy. Also stop the fighting with the governor.. it's ridiculous.

This morning the premier has written to the UN about the governor bringing in the UK military ship and wants the UN to intervene. Seems to me lots of issues are being brought up to hide the mismanagement going on.

Premier Andrew Fahie has put Britain on notice that he will be escalating to the United Nations what he described as an “act of aggression” by Governor Augustus Jaspert towards his government

We are flying in on 12-02-20 for a 12 day charter and are counting the days. If anyone is concerned about the Ferry service they may want to look into a private water taxi. We use Ocean Dreams and they are first class. They have a 39 foot center console with 1200 horse power that is a blast.

Unless they open the ports for ferries, water taxis will most likely not be able to operate.

Jason--that's what I was thinking.. As of now, I really think people need to be thinking about flying into EIS, as booking air into STT right now seems very risky, unless you can CANCEL and get your money back. I haven't been following it that closely, but I think most airlines are allowing changes without change fees still, but what happens if the new fare is LESS than the old one?? Say that one decides to just fly into SJU and purchase a different ticket onward? If that ticket costs less than your original flight to STT, will you get money back?

There are lots of moving parts, but there won't be any boat traffic between the USVI and the BVI unless Customs and Immigration is re-activated in ports and harbors. Throughout the Covid-19 " lockdown" the only C&I ( point of entry) was EIS. It will be some more " wait and see" before we know how any testing/extra questions/required documentation at entry to the country will be handled.

Yeah, everyone is sick and tired of wait-and-see. It's called Island Time or " soon come". Part of what we go there to love and experience.

.

There is an alternative to fly to STT and use VI Airlink to get to EIS. Looking at a random day in mid-January, it looks like they have 2 flights/day planned; 9:50am and 4:00pm. $151 per person.

Jason--OK, thanks for that correction.

Your idea of flying to SJU is still the best option and is what we're recommending to anyone booking rooms before February. Many more flight options from SJU. From what I can tell, the VI Airlink flight only carries 9 passengers so not much capacity but if you're locked into STT for some reason it's an option.

OK, thanks for the additional info.

Carol,
We canceled our June flights and got UA credit. We rebooked for January on UA for $200 less per ticket.
That left over credit is still out there and we have two years to use it. That will not be a problem.

OK, I figure it depends on the airline, as to what they are doing NOW, for people booking now.. I would always also prefer my money back, versus a credit, but we don't fly that often either.

We will fly into STT , I think, no matter what. We have enjoyed overnights at Emerald Beach at both ends and it breaks up the trip from the West Coast..and most certainly enjoy food in Oceana or Frenchtown ( French Quarter Bistro). Hoping the ferries will run but we will splurge for VI Airlink otherwise...after Irma and Covid we are so far down the financial road that a few hundred extra $$ is worth it at this point of life ( our relatives may not agree!!)

We just got off the phone with Air Sunshine. They relayed that their agents have been informed that the border opening may be pushed back to December 15 and are therefore not booking any flights before that date. Oh no. Can anyone confirm this?

Haven't heard anything locally yet but we are due for a curfew update today or tomorrow so maybe we'll hear more then.

Thanks Jason!

There will be mayhem here if they change that date. People are already getting very restless that it's taking so long to announce the protocols. They are focus on renaming holidays, contract ceremonies, additional documentation for work permits, and political ego bruising instead of getting the economy running again. So infuriating!

Oh good Lord....please no.....that would truly suck...

If they move the date to Dec 15 you can kiss the tourist season goodbye completely. Folks are getting tired of all the political issues in the BVI. It is truly tiring and frustrating. I really feel for the people that live in the BVI to have to go thru this harassment.

I am praying there is no validity to this - maybe Air Sunshine is just being hyper careful since no protocols have been announced...we for sure would not move to later in December as that would put us into high season rates

I very much doubt this rumor.

I want to doubt it too....but it was an airline agent saying they wouldn’t book a flight!

Of course...if you go to their website? It is showing flights available from SJU to EIS...so go figure....

Have you looked at InterCaribbean? They are booking flights online and already flying to EIS. They have more flights and have been more reliable in my experience. Air Sunshine has never left me at SJU but they almost never stick to their schedule. Be aware, they will weigh both your checked bags and carry-on and will charge you for anything over the published weight (I think 35 lbs). Sometimes they are a couple of hours late but other times they've been very early and said they were about to leave without me.

Air Sunshine does not have any space inside the secured area of the terminal so you wait by the ticket counter. There is no seating space so I usually wait outside near the drop off curb. If they decide to leave an hour early, it's tricky to know. Then they walk you thru the ticketing area, clear you at a strange security area used by employees, walk you thru the bowels of the luggage area and out to a shuttle bus. The advantage is they sometimes combine flights with VG and you get to land and clear in Virgin Gorda! Very cool dirt runway landing and much easier to clear immigration and customs.

On another note, the new curfew info came out late last night and no change was announced to the opening date.

Awesome - thank you, Jason. I am now out of my tree - LOL.

Thanks Jason - I already changed my arrival (12/3) flights (had booked two one way routes instead of a RT) with Delta via SJU and Silver. I was working on re configuring my return (original flight out of STT but want to be safe in case the seaports aren't open) looking at Air Sunshine as their timetable worked best and we are private pilots so like the smaller planes. You could not book a one way return out of EIS so we called them - that is the response they gave so who knows what is going on. It shocked me so wanted to fact check here.

Yeah, Carol, most airlines are waiving the change fees in the short term (for the rest of this year at least) and maybe forever. A fare difference on rebooking is refunded as a credit for future flight (unless you've purchased a fully refundable ticket). I've rebooked once so far with no issues (and got a credit) and will likely have to rebook again as the situation changes. (I did make the mistake of purchasing seat upgrades....those are not refundable....and I have no idea why not). We are flying thru SJU and on to EIS. We didn't want to deal with the uncertainty of getting in by ferry from STT. Also, the thought of getting on an over crowded ferry is a little concerning. If you can't find good flights from state-side all the way to EIS, try booking to SJU and check interCaribbean Airlines separately for the SJU to EIS leg. You'll have to deal with baggage and getting back thru security at SJU, but at least its an option.

Hope to see some of you fine people out on the water in December! And best of luck @Manpot. Our thoughts are with you here in smokey Marin.

Stay safe and smooth sailing.

Chris.
Abby Normal To
Tortola

If it does change, we'll be the first ones in! We're on a red eye, connecting on the early morning Cape Air flight on the 15th. Jason is bang on - they need to focus on the re-opening, and stop squabbling with the U.K. If we can't come without quarantine, we'll cancel.

My prediction months ago was that they wouldn't re-open until they ran out of money to pay government workers. Starting to look pretty accurate.

Smith's Ferry Services recently posted on Facebook "Passenger travel will resume on December 1, 2020, when the BVI officially opens its borders". It's possible they know something that hasn't been announced yet. Seems like good news!

The water taxi takes us directly to Nanny Cay. In the past, the captain clears customs and the passengers to not get off the boat. The protocol may be different now.

Great news Jason..thanks..

I'd give it a few days of operation before I'd book. You dont want to get stranded in St. Thomas for any length of time. Knowing the BVI I'm "cautiously pessimistic". LOL

I am a lot less pessamistic right now...hope to see you there..bring your facemask!

I’m hoping this works out. Testing is one thing but it doesn’t change how much of this virus is out there. I have been surprised at how tenacious the bug has been thru the summer and how diabolically evil it is in spreading. Good news is that death rates have gone way down and soon seem to be on the way to influenza like numbers. That’s not just better treatment due to knowledge but I believe the evidence that the beast has become more infectious and less deadly.

If any of you have a college around you, you’ve likely seen 100s of cases on the campus and spread in the community since the semester began. In our town of 50,000 with a college with 7000 students, they have 250 cases. Our town had 4 deaths Friday. The incidence had been pretty low all summer and there is a mask ordinance in effect since July. Looks like that deal at the Whitehouse last Saturday had a positive case slip through and to date up to 9 cases and counting. No political comments please, but it illustrates the problem.

What are the odds with people coming from everywhere that there are not exposed but not yet positive or exposed during or after testing, on their way asymptomatic cases. In 96 hrs before and 48 after a test how many people and surfaces does one possibly contact? How many contacts do those people that you contact have in the last ten days?

Like the kids returning to the party er I mean college, pent up Island visitors in a group that’s been tested negative will likely have a sense of security. Unfortunately that test means nothing likely for 3 or 4 days before and ever after it was taken as to whether you are infected. Alcohol, old friends, the sun and sea bringing on a great desire to seek the shade of a watering hole to quench that thirst.

My worry is and I’m probably/hopefully wrong, that the government will freak at first few cases and impose onerous new restrictions. As long as the virus is prevalent in the countries from where tourists are coming it will make the trip.

I suspect, like in Canada, that the numbers will rise as the weather gets colder and more people are inside.

It's nearly two weeks since the government's announcement, and not a peep about details. People in the BVI are complaining about not receiving the stimulus payments loudly promised some time ago. The government is letting everyone down.

We need reliable info and soon! Anybody in Gov reading this???

they gave up reading here after boatyball

LOL...that is funny Peter...

Sure glad you have that beautiful refuge in Sonoma. No sand, no surf, but plenty of wine. Hydrate.

And nobody had much more to say, anyway.

Obviously many here are extremely eager to finalize travel itineraries for their vacations or to get to their place in the BVI in December and beyond, and it’s been a long, painful wait for everyone - moreso for those who have been dealing with the harshest effects of this pandemic. And with the anticipated details of that opening still not forthcoming, many have become even less patient.
We also can’t wait to return and see the friends we’ve made there, contribute to the businesses, and enjoy the beauty. But we want everyone there to be safe too, and not experience the same fall back to stay-at-home that the USVI and many states in the US have as travel opens up. So we hope to see the Dec 1 details soon, but things can change as that is two months away...
Waiting patiently...

I would love to go back down to VG but I have adopted a wait and see approach - flight costs won't be a problem even if one purchases close to departure dates and by waiting it keeps the options open.

I bought aa tickets from Miami to STT Dec 1-15 for $388/rt for 2 persons. Same trip 1 week later double the price $366/rt for 1 person Still waiting on government to do something.

We see airline fares fluctuate sharply (Often much more than doubling) all the time as I’m sure you know. It seems a bit risky to book flights for Dec 1 arrival without the details we’re waiting on?

Is there a webpage for VI Airlink that shows the flights?

just go to viairlink.com and click the book online button.

Jason, just tried that - not working.

Weird. It's working for me. If you have an option, try a different browser. For me it works with Chrome but not always Microsoft Edge.

VIAirlink.com works for me as well using Chrome. It will not work with iOS.

Okay, I tried with iPhone and Mac desktop.