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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: WillM]
#238104
10/26/2020 08:59 PM
10/26/2020 08:59 PM
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Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,168
MIDiver
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,168
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So essentially an 8 day Q and 4 additional tests all at your own expense. For "the next several months". I can't turn my 8 day charter into 17 days.
Last edited by MIDiver; 10/26/2020 09:00 PM. Reason: Added clarification.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238109
10/26/2020 09:10 PM
10/26/2020 09:10 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,272 Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,272
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
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No indication on costs. This is worse than I experienced when I went in the communist areas of eastern europe. You also have to add in another covid test to go home. Forget it, I will not go.
Last edited by tpcook; 10/26/2020 09:13 PM.
tpcook
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238122
10/26/2020 11:12 PM
10/26/2020 11:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 642 BVI
kerry
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 642
BVI
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BVI Protocols at Airport Dec 1.
Negative PCR test within 5 days
Planes are staggered landing
No more than 90 people in at a time on a plane. Not that that is a problem we have no planes coming in that take more than that
Everyone goes to a new welcome complex by the airport. They will have another test.
Then they will be put in "approved" taxis to "approved accommodations" where you have to quarantine for 4 days
Then another test
then you will have access to a limited areas where you cannot mingle with outhers for the next few days
On day 8 one more test if that is good, then you will be allowed access to the island
At the welcome center they will also put a tracking app on your phone with a geo fence
Some may have to wear a tracking bracelet ( I am assuming this may. be for people without cell phones)
You must have COVID insurance to come in. They did not mention, but I think that there will have partnered with a company to offer this
Any business that opens to tourists MUST have the Gold Seal certification
And their employees will have had to take the certification program at the college before they will be allowed to open
This is only available to BVI based businesses
They have NOT clarified how much each test will cost. I have heard $135 per person and also $250 per person on coconut telegraph
They have NOT clarified what an approved accommodation facility is and what the cost is
There is NO information on Seaports other than one sentence that said "Prospective Dec 8 opening"
But they did not put this all in place to just let other boats in from anywhere on December 8th.
I bellieve they have come up with a way for long term residents and visitors as well as those who need to get into the BVI to come in. But, not the general tourist
kerry
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: kerry]
#238124
10/26/2020 11:30 PM
10/26/2020 11:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583 Oak Park, IL
TomGarvey
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 583
Oak Park, IL
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Good point, Kerry. I think it would be a good middle ground to make it feasible for homeowners and long-term renters to come. They'll typically be staying longer and they'll definitely contribute to the economy.
Tom Garvey
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238128
10/27/2020 03:49 AM
10/27/2020 03:49 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,546 Grenada
Zanshin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,546
Grenada
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Since I have my boat in the BVI I'll have to return, but with these conditions (considering I'll have to stay in a hotel rather than on my comfortable boat) I feel held over a barrel by the BVI. The hypocrisy of saying they are opening to tourists while imposing restrictions that will make any sane tourist opt for another island destination is just too much. And we know how it will end up - the website won't work and people will be denied entry. The wait at the airport will be interminable. The "approved taxis", "approved hotels", "approved insurance", "approved tests" will be at inflated prices, inferior service, and a few belongers will profit handsomely while the majority will not see much, if any, tourism dollars. There will be new fees and surcharges; and the only consolation is that the anchorages will be either empty or at least less crowded.
I wonder what the BVI government is charging places to get "certified"?
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: Zanshin]
#238141
10/27/2020 08:32 AM
10/27/2020 08:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Since I have my boat in the BVI I'll have to return, but with these conditions (considering I'll have to stay in a hotel rather than on my comfortable boat) I feel held over a barrel by the BVI. The hypocrisy of saying they are opening to tourists while imposing restrictions that will make any sane tourist opt for another island destination is just too much. And we know how it will end up - the website won't work and people will be denied entry. The wait at the airport will be interminable. The "approved taxis", "approved hotels", "approved insurance", "approved tests" will be at inflated prices, inferior service, and a few belongers will profit handsomely while the majority will not see much, if any, tourism dollars. There will be new fees and surcharges; and the only consolation is that the anchorages will be either empty or at least less crowded.
I wonder what the BVI government is charging places to get "certified"? Zanshin - maybe consider having her delivered to the USVI. There are several very reputable companies allowed to perform this service. I know one captain that has done several deliveries that I would trust with my boat. Let me know if you'd like a reference. Regarding approval. We were inspected and approved to house quarantine guest back in June. There was not a charge at that time to be approved.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238167
10/27/2020 10:51 AM
10/27/2020 10:51 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,062 Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,062
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
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This is truly heartbreaking..we need to get back to CRC but this seems unworkable especially since C is not in the best of shape to travel to start with. Going to give it a day or two to digest this. In the meantime we have not paid our property tax and have not renewed our residency because it has to be done in person.What a mess. And the Thing sits there rusting away! If anyone hears that protocols are different for residents or those with "permission to reside" please post it as that may make it workable...if its workable!!
Last edited by Manpot; 10/27/2020 10:57 AM.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: Manpot]
#238168
10/27/2020 11:20 AM
10/27/2020 11:20 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 106 Winnipeg, Canada
GaryC
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 106
Winnipeg, Canada
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Malcom, It is different for non-tourists. Landholders and work permit holders currently apply for approval to come, quarantine 14 days and pay for security (if at their properties). On Jost Van Dyke last Thursday the Premier announced they would be changing that to 7 days and electronic monitoring in place of a guard. He gave no other details (like if testing was involved and when this would go into effect). So, hang in there.
Last edited by GaryC; 10/27/2020 11:21 AM. Reason: Add additional information
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GaryC]
#238170
10/27/2020 11:37 AM
10/27/2020 11:37 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Malcom, It is different for non-tourists. Landholders and work permit holders currently apply for approval to come, quarantine 14 days and pay for security (if at their properties). On Jost Van Dyke last Thursday the Premier announced they would be changing that to 7 days and electronic monitoring in place of a guard. He gave no other details (like if testing was involved and when this would go into effect). So, hang in there. As of October 1st, you pay even for govt. quarantine facility. $3500 for security at your residence or $2500 for housing, food, and security at a govt. hotel.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238172
10/27/2020 11:52 AM
10/27/2020 11:52 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148 road town
sleepychef
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
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I have already passed my inspection from Enviromental Health and Covid control cert in the post. Jumped through all the new hoops and now this...
The protocols and training for places that people can visit with the Gold Seal. I asked the 3 agencies mentioned by the Premier.
Tourist Board said ask HLSCC , HLSCC said ask Tourist Board...
HLSCC do not know how to get this as training is only for line staff, no manager supervisor training till January...
Enviromental Health do not know anything about this and will inform once they know.
This has been my conversations this morning.
Last edited by sleepychef; 10/27/2020 11:56 AM.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: sleepychef]
#238176
10/27/2020 12:00 PM
10/27/2020 12:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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I have already passed my inspection from Enviromental Health and Covid control cert in the post. Jumped through all the new hoops and now this...
The protocols and training for places that people can visit with the Gold Seal. I asked the 3 agencies mentioned by the Premier.
Tourist Board said ask HLSCC , HLSCC said ask Tourist Board...
HLSCC do not know how to get this as training is only for line staff, no manager supervisor training till January...
Enviromental Health do not know anything about this and will inform once they know.
This has been my conversations this morning. Last night was the first time I've ever heard about Gold Seal. Did you ever find out what it means? We registered to take Front Desk and Housekeeping classes but were told we are not eligible because we are managers and have to wait until January for the manager classes. I don't think any or our guests will be coming anyway so it doesn't matter that much to us.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#238178
10/27/2020 12:02 PM
10/27/2020 12:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
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OK, not to make a stupid statement, but shouldn't the managers be the first ones to be trained, so that they know what the front desk and housekeeping staff should be doing??
Carol Hill
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: GeorgiaGirl2]
#238180
10/27/2020 12:05 PM
10/27/2020 12:05 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148 road town
sleepychef
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
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Gold Seal is. an American accredited certificate taught through the college.
The head of training at HLSCC now needs to reschedule all the training for Managers as this was news to them also
Last edited by sleepychef; 10/27/2020 01:01 PM.
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Re: New Traveler Protocol 10/26/20
[Re: Zanshin]
#238245
10/27/2020 05:47 PM
10/27/2020 05:47 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
sail445
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
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I am truly thinking of relocating "Zanshin" to another island. But there's a saying German "Es wird nichts so heiß gegessen, wie es gekocht wird" which translates to "You don't eat food as hot as when it is cooked" (it loses something in the translation) but it means that things are often not as bad as they sound when announced. Just like a couple of months ago when word came around that every boat in the BVI had to have a local "agent" (remember that one?) and of course nothing came of it.
So before committing to leaving the island permanently I'll wait to see what really happens and I have to find permanent storage. At the moment it looks like Antigua or perhaps all the way south in Grenada.
But each year the BVI seems to come up with new schemes to make the stays less enjoyable and to drain even more money off visitors - without offerring anything substantially better to justify those new fees, taxes and regulations.
If you need permanent storage I would check with Puerto del Rey Marina, they have probably the best 24/hr security in the Caribbean and a yard that has survived hurricane Maria with minimal damage. Something to look into.
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