Travel Restrictions to BVI

Can anyone give me the official travel restrictions for entering the BVI? I know whatever they are may change after that beeaacchh Maria! Would like to know where I can access that information in the future...thanks in advance...Jim

We are watching the travel restrictions also. Waiting for them to lift so we can get in and assess the damage to our house and Sandy Ground Estates.

To my knowledge, only BVI Citizens and Belongers can get at this point. By boat via customs on Tortola or the airport on a humanitarian flight.

As an American Citizen, I can get to Puerto Rico and then wait for the restrictions to lift. Or wait and fly into STT when the airport opens and then wait for restrictions to lift.

It is totally wait and see at this point. Even if we can get into the BVI, there is no food, water, lodging, etc to be had for additional bodies. If we can get in over the next several weeks, we will need to bring our food in, and hope and pray that our cisterns stay clean an operable for drinking water.

The situation at Sandy Ground Estates right now is, no electric (generators only, gasoline and diesel are like black gold!), no phone service, no internet. All of the houses received damage. The caretaker cottage and associated buildings for storage and maintenance are completely gone, as is our dock.

Thankfully, and most important, our caretakers and island families are all reporting in as safe and alive. BUT TERRIBLY SHAKEN!

Our home lost the roof on the two master bedrooms and all doors and windows for the entire house. Our propane stove is operable and I understand it is being used to cook for those who are hunkered down and trying to survive within the estate.

This is bad folks, not looking forward to them having to go through Hurricane Maria over the next 24 hours.

I'm seeing several reports on FB (not sure how credible) that there are no restrictions on immigration, but there is no way to get in. Intercaribbean is selling inbound tickets and there flights did fly over the weekend so that is going to be my first attempt once commercial traffic starts after Maria. I am also waiting to hear back from an air charter once Maria is thru.

If anyone wants to share a charter from SJU to EIS on Friday or Saturday, please send me a PM. Cost is about $300-400 depending on the number of people.

Jason,

In April we used Air America Caribbean. They were an excellent company to work with. They saved us when we were stranded by Spirit Airlines. Prices are very reasonable.

http://airamericacaribbean.com/

We have used Air America a few times, great service and a cold beer when boarding

Yes, Air America already has my charter request and said they would respond when Maria had passed. Hopefully, Intercaribbean will restart at the same time but just in case, I'll pay for the charter.

With effect from 14 Sept, the LIAT web site has a notice confirming that airports at BVI and St Maartin are closed to commercial flights until further notice and currently restricted to 'Relief flights' only.

Latest I hear is that only technical skills and some belongers are being allowed to land. Even crews of relief boats are requierd to remain onboard except to offload.

I landed last Tuesday (Sept 12) at beef island. It was a private flight coming in, we were contractors trying to get power back on certain places in North Sound. We had another group come in Via helicopter from SJU on saturday. Some of my crew flew out by helicopter to SJU from the airport in VG. It is open for business but the runway is not usable yet. Airport is mostly still there, missing a wall or two and mostly just a structure now. Airport at beef island seemed to be in pretty decent overall shape, they had temporary power up and people working. British military was working on additional cleanup, replacement of runway lights, etc.

Some of my crew flew out Monday. It is NOT easy getting in and out...especially as most planes/helicopters left monday for insurance reasons as a result of Insurance reasons.

It sounds like Anegada airport is in pretty good shape, as was beef island. Dock in Trellis bay is usable and a few boats are moving around.

They allowed us in with little trouble, although we arrived with some more influential groups. Immigration staff all said "thank you for coming" upon arrival. There were lots of people outside the airport looking to get out.

I have some pictures of north sound I will try to upload and post in a separate post.

I hope that any expecting to visit in the near future have severe restrictions with the requirements of food, water, accommodations for themselves before entry and the ability to travel from point A to B. There is need of vehicles for troops to travel, and getting foods etc from RT to villages also. My friend says, bugs are enormous, rats are quite often visible, because there is debris everywhere. Tarps, food, cement, gasoline, are at a premium. The hope is that only essential persons will be allowed here and that repairs to local housing if at all possible goes first before the "vacation" homes.