Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,428
Posts310,024
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 114
pat 43
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
sugarae
sugarae
South Portland , Maine
Posts: 1,242
Joined: February 2001
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
9 registered members (SURICK, PnPinNC, JeanneB, BillR, Wingman, Mikel, michaelj, 2 invisible), 862 guests, and 77 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Antibodies Test Confirmation #260443
07/12/2021 04:18 PM
07/12/2021 04:18 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
NoelHall Offline OP
Traveler
NoelHall  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
Do I understand correctly? A positive antibodies COVID test will get me into St. Thomas from BVI? Once on St. Thomas I will not be required to present any COVID test to board the airplane back to the States?


Noel Hall
"It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time."

www.noelhall.com
BVI Sponsors
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260445
07/12/2021 04:53 PM
07/12/2021 04:53 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
Traveler
Manpot  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Correct..but you must fill out the portal..just did it yesterday..safe travels..

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Manpot] #260453
07/12/2021 06:30 PM
07/12/2021 06:30 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
M
MIDiver Offline
Traveler
MIDiver  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
Yes but only for sea arrivals. Via air it is CDC mandated PCR test.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260454
07/12/2021 06:37 PM
07/12/2021 06:37 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Good luck with that test - with the BVI results coming in no EARLIER than 72 hours that means you are SOL if trying to fly from the BVI!


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260457
07/12/2021 07:22 PM
07/12/2021 07:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
N
Nate C Offline
Traveler
Nate C  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
We tested on JVD Friday at 745AM, received results on Saturday at 9AM, and departed from Beef at 1145AM Sunday (yesterday). I'm wondering if the stated 72 hour+ turn around is meant to deter travelers or if that is truly anticipated based on increasing demand at the lab. If it were truly 72+ I guess we would have had a much longer stay in the BVI than anticipated!

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260459
07/12/2021 07:28 PM
07/12/2021 07:28 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
I still haven't gotten confirmation or a test date for my test request. I sent it on Friday.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Zanshin] #260462
07/12/2021 07:35 PM
07/12/2021 07:35 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
Zanshin, did they give you permission to leave?

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260463
07/12/2021 07:36 PM
07/12/2021 07:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
N
Nate C Offline
Traveler
Nate C  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
For what it's worth I emailed the JVD Clinic directly on Tuesday at 10:51AM and included our completed test request form (2 Persons) and received an email response with confirmation at 12:17PM same day. Seems like we were amongst the most fortunate who have been thru the process. We arrived at the clinic at 7:25AM and paid, tested, and left within ~20mins.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260464
07/12/2021 07:47 PM
07/12/2021 07:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
Traveler
bailau  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
They are great via email...we did same and got 8 in and out back on Jun 25th at 7 am for a 745 appt...getting thef orm to them in advance is key

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260466
07/12/2021 08:07 PM
07/12/2021 08:07 PM
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
M
MIDiver Offline
Traveler
MIDiver  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,126
In March we spent several days at JVD so went in to The clinic to make our appt. filled the form out on site and called the day before the test to confirm.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: RatmansWife] #260469
07/13/2021 06:21 AM
07/13/2021 06:21 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
I have neither permission to leave (request sent 10 days ago) nor a test date (request sent Friday). I am going to sail to Trellis this morning so that if I do get my exit permission I can taxi into town and finish the paperwork in order to leave. The weather window for St. Martin is good for today and tomorrow; but I might have to do 7 days quarantine on the boat upon arrival because of my missing test. The BVI isn't on any blacklist yet.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260470
07/13/2021 06:48 AM
07/13/2021 06:48 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
We brought a boat out off the BVI to take to the Key West a few months ago. The owner got the Exit papers in West End. Took a few hours but they let him leave. Do you know why they are not letting you leave? We were able to schedule PCR tests at the JVD clinic by email last Wednesday for Friday.

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 07/13/2021 06:49 AM.
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260474
07/13/2021 07:56 AM
07/13/2021 07:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
They have instituted a new policy in the BVI. You cannot go to clear out until you have written permission from both the minister for Immigration and the Governor. This process is expedited through the immigration offices. Once that "pre" permission is granted, one can then clear out at either the West End or in Road Town. Without that permission they will not let you clear out. They recently "streamlined" this new process so that it takes even longer to complete. I spoke with Moorings and they have a number of boats that have been waiting just as long as I have for that permission. Nobody I have spoken to knows what sort of added value this pre-permission process is supposed to bring.
Last Wednesday the testing centres weren't overrun yet. There's now a link on the BVI government page to allow people who have been tested but haven't gotten results to try to find them... Sounds like something has gone awry. I'm not sanguine about the test since it will most likely be 100% useless for me to use due to the long time it takes for the results to come back, but if I do get a chance to take a test I'll do so as a kind of insurance policy and who knows, perhaps the results might come back quicker than expected.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260475
07/13/2021 08:01 AM
07/13/2021 08:01 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I wonder if the BVI is concerned about boats permanently leaving and is doing this intentionally to try and retain boats and the revenue and jobs they generate. It’s a dangerous thing to do as nobody is going to clear a boat into the BVI knowing the hassle it will be to leave. It also eliminates boats coming over from the USVI.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260476
07/13/2021 08:17 AM
07/13/2021 08:17 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley Offline
Traveler
mfringsley  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
Just to throw it out there again....I'm not sure why anyone at this point would rely on BVI officials to administer exit testing to get back into the US. It seems like a total cluster. All that has to be done is to order the self administered test kits from emed.com and then take the test 15 min before you are ready for results. Not to mention from the comfort of your own boat or land based camp, AND if you test positive you have the opportunity to re-test again whenever you want in the event it was a false positive. If you test positive with a BVI administered test then you are now at their mercy for re-testing.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260477
07/13/2021 08:29 AM
07/13/2021 08:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
While the USA allows those self-administered tests, other countries will not accept them for travel.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Zanshin] #260478
07/13/2021 08:34 AM
07/13/2021 08:34 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
mfringsley Offline
Traveler
mfringsley  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 62
Originally Posted by Zanshin
While the USA allows those self-administered tests, other countries will not accept them for travel.


Agreed Zanshin...I'm only referring to a return to US which is what the original post was referencing.

Last edited by mfringsley; 07/13/2021 08:34 AM.
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Zanshin] #260483
07/13/2021 09:26 AM
07/13/2021 09:26 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Good luck, Zanshin. Hope you are able to get out.


Carol Hill
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260490
07/13/2021 10:10 AM
07/13/2021 10:10 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I am seeing a movie from this event. “Escape from the BVI”.
Hold tough on the movie rights and ask for residuals! Still trying to figure out what the BVI government angle for not letting people leave might be. Sounds almost like you are being held hostage. Might be time to involve your home country.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260491
07/13/2021 10:11 AM
07/13/2021 10:11 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
Traveler
ecm56  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
You can check-out but you can never leave.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: GeorgeC1] #260492
07/13/2021 10:12 AM
07/13/2021 10:12 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Yes, a tough situation!!


Carol Hill
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260493
07/13/2021 10:19 AM
07/13/2021 10:19 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
Will_L Offline
Traveler
Will_L  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
I’m beginning to get a lil concerned about exit testing results. Sunday at Virgin Gorda clinic they said 24 to 36 hrs. We are past 48 and counting. We fly tomorrow. Anyone left via EIS in last few days had trouble getting results?

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260496
07/13/2021 10:44 AM
07/13/2021 10:44 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
You might try the following page:

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/tested-covid-19-and-haven-t-received-your-test-results

(Sent while sailing from VG to Trellis and checking to see to if I got permission to leave yet. None yet.)

Last edited by Zanshin; 07/13/2021 10:45 AM.

[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260498
07/13/2021 11:18 AM
07/13/2021 11:18 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
Zanshin, it sounds like it requires permission from several government offices, each of which may have one person who does that task. Given how many people are quarantined and offices closed, the whole process may have simply ground to a halt.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260501
07/13/2021 11:30 AM
07/13/2021 11:30 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
RW - That is my thinking as well. There are certainly worse places to get stuck, but I would then need to extend my stay and that is always a nasty and time-consuming thing to do. Plus I don't even know if they are processing in that downtown office at the moment.


I am on a mooring ball now at Trellis but don't really like it here (although the Loose Mongoose looks impressive). I might just head to either CGB or Jost now. I'll give it another half hour to see if I get any response.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260502
07/13/2021 11:33 AM
07/13/2021 11:33 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,035
Buffalo, NY
LauraTheTshirtGal Offline
Traveler
LauraTheTshirtGal  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,035
Buffalo, NY
Just reiterating, for those taking ferry or water taxi to USVI upon return, if you can get the positive antibodies test done before you travel it will save you headaches.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Zanshin] #260503
07/13/2021 11:36 AM
07/13/2021 11:36 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by Zanshin
RW - That is my thinking as well. There are certainly worse places to get stuck, but I would then need to extend my stay and that is always a nasty and time-consuming thing to do. Plus I don't even know if they are processing in that downtown office at the moment.


I am on a mooring ball now at Trellis but don't really like it here (although the Loose Mongoose looks impressive). I might just head to either CGB or Jost now. I'll give it another half hour to see if I get any response.

Loose Mongoose is very well done with a nice cafe, gift shop, and well run kitchen with lots of faces you might recognize from Anegada Beach Club.

If you need to take on any fuel or water, they have a nice new fuel dock.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260507
07/13/2021 12:53 PM
07/13/2021 12:53 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
I left Trellis and just passed Monkey Point enroute to either Jost or CGB. I've gone below to see if I got a mail. Negative. I haven't used more than a couple of gallons of fuel and with the watermaker running I don't need to fill up on that either. But the beer supplies are looking pretty bad smile


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260511
07/13/2021 01:38 PM
07/13/2021 01:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
First things first, why didn't you stock up on beer at Trellis Bay Market?

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260513
07/13/2021 01:47 PM
07/13/2021 01:47 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
Traveler
bailau  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
LOL...well played RW

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Will_L] #260533
07/13/2021 09:58 PM
07/13/2021 09:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 225
Dallas
C
camelot Offline
Traveler
camelot  Offline
Traveler
C
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 225
Dallas
we did not receive our results from the JVD clinic as promised. After almost 48 hours e-mailed them -- they mistyped the email and did not try the phone number - we very quickly received the results by email so someone was standing by to fix problems....

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260537
07/14/2021 07:48 AM
07/14/2021 07:48 AM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
I received my first response regarding my 10-day old pre-clearance exit request at 9PM last night. It seems that I need a negative PCR test in order to leave the territory. BVIHSA still hasn't given me a test date although I contacted them on Friday. But at least Immigration was cc'd on the e-mail so I hopefully will not get in trouble for staying past my "expire by" date.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260538
07/14/2021 07:49 AM
07/14/2021 07:49 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Penn Medical is a better option with more reliable appointments.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: LauraTheTshirtGal] #260627
07/15/2021 01:22 PM
07/15/2021 01:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
H
Husker Offline
Traveler
Husker  Offline
Traveler
H
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 520
Bay Area
Originally Posted by lauraandrex
Just reiterating, for those taking ferry or water taxi to USVI upon return, if you can get the positive antibodies test done before you travel it will save you headaches.

Agree 100%, Laura. So grateful we got our whole crew covered with antibody testing before our trip. No issues clearing back in to USVI yesterday.

In fact, big kudos to Michelle Cornish and Harris at Island Times Water Taxi for a smooth exit. Harris picked us up at Marina Cay anchorage (in a very sweet and fast boat), cleared out at West End, entered USVI at Cruz Bay, and taxi to STT from Red Hook. Pick up to airport 2.5 hours, total. First time taking that route from BVI in lieu of ferry service. Highly recommended if you have extra funds in your travel budget.

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Husker] #260651
07/15/2021 05:55 PM
07/15/2021 05:55 PM
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Flagler Beach, FL
F
Flagler Paul Offline
Traveler
Flagler Paul  Offline
Traveler
F
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Flagler Beach, FL
This might be a dumb question, but it is my understanding that a US citizen cannot be turned away at the border. What happens if you arrive at the USVI and don't have the test?

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Flagler Paul] #260653
07/15/2021 05:58 PM
07/15/2021 05:58 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 889
9 months of the year in Michig...
captmonk Offline
Traveler
captmonk  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 889
9 months of the year in Michig...
They won't even let you on the ferry to go and get turned away with a green QR Code and a Neg Test...


S/V SeaTrek Explorer
www.seatrekbvi.com
Summer Camp at Sea for jr. high, high school and college age students.
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Flagler Paul] #260654
07/15/2021 05:59 PM
07/15/2021 05:59 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
I think that an American can't be turned away for not having a passport. If they don't have a required medical clearance, I think they can..


Carol Hill
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260656
07/15/2021 06:10 PM
07/15/2021 06:10 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Flagler Paul is correct about getting turned back at the border as a citizen, but unfortunately you won't get to the border without a test - that is the crux of the problem. As many Australians who have wanted to be repatriated in the past year have discovered to their chagrin.


[Linked Image]
Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: Zanshin] #260658
07/15/2021 06:18 PM
07/15/2021 06:18 PM
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Flagler Beach, FL
F
Flagler Paul Offline
Traveler
Flagler Paul  Offline
Traveler
F
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 12
Flagler Beach, FL
I do understand they ferry companies may not be willing to take you. And this is more theoretical than anything, not planning to ignore the rule. But what if you arrive on a private vessel?

Re: Antibodies Test Confirmation [Re: NoelHall] #260660
07/15/2021 06:56 PM
07/15/2021 06:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
Zanshin Offline
Traveler
Zanshin  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,490
Grenada
As a US citizen they cannot turn you back. If you've broken rules or laws that won't prevent them from arresting or fining you, but at least you'll be in the USA smile


[Linked Image]
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1