More Very Good News for Travelling in the BVI

Ahoy Captains,

More Very Good News.
The USA CDC just Updated their Travel Advisory and has Downgraded the Travel Warning for the BVI to Level Yellow / Level 2 -
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/coronavirus-british-virgin-islands
https://bvinews.com/cdc-says-bvi-is-moderately-risky-despite-covid-absence
This compliments the very good study Capt. Jason provided - http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubb...e-bvi-with-new-protocols.html#Post239727

And the BVI has Plans to Upgrade most of their International Ports "In the not too distant future"
https://bvinews.com/jvd-terminal-reopening-for-intl-domestic-passengers-by-years-end/

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Hi Brent, have they come up with allowed anchorages and is the 30 feet from boat rule during quarantine correct?
G

Even if the CDC said there is no chance of getting COVET in the BVI it won’t change anything because the BVI government is the one restricting admission into the islands as we can see from this forum all the people having to cancel their reservations

Ahoy Capt George,

I Believe, many of the Protocols are focused on Voters. For example the protocols introduced on Nov 2.
The last 'Quarantine' the BVI Gov tried to impose in June/July was a failure due to the perceived sense of nationalistic entitlement by a few of the Locals.
To balance the Voters interests with the Health of the community they have introduced the Bracelets, the Geofence, and the 30 foot rule.
Now again the sailing community will require a second look and updates. When the BVI Gov appreciates the concept of 'Swing Radius' on a mooring, and more so on an anchor, it would expect the 'geofence' for 30 feet for the sailing community to be updated.
With no shore side facilities I would hope that all the snorkeling and dive sites are included as Q Anchorages, as the BVI Gov makes $ off the National Marine Park Permits.
We will see how long the Bracelets last with Divers at -100 Ft and Guests floating around in salt water with their noodles and a cocktail for a few hours.
It will only be a few days at the beginning of the charter and any good Captain can reschedule all his favorite beaches and bars for after the first few days. It is literally no different from what every Captain would face with any other natural phenomenon like a Tropical wave or North Swells coming in.
Right now I am not looking for a fight. This will only last for a few months especially with all the Vaccines on the way.

Update -
Called 3 Dive Ops. No word pro or con if the National Marine Parks will be Q Anchorages.
If they are, then each Dingy gets a Designated Driver with a cocktail and a ziplock bag of phones while he circles as shipmates enjoy snorkeling the reef.
Another Problem solved.

Fair Winds, Brent from the Captains Compass

I believe the 30 foot radius has mostly to do with the range of the bracelet. It's most like a bluetooth low energy device/connection and once you are too far away from your smartphone, the bracelet will lose connection. To the monitoring agency, it will appear the wearer just left their quarantine bubble/area without their phone and could be anywhere. If you can snorkel with your smartphone it would look like you are still compliant.

The bracelets bounce off each other as well as the smartphone app.Your bracelet comes into an area with another bracelet not in your party then it will record/send message . This means everybody needs to be within 30ft of each other on a boat. Well thats my take on it but...

Instead of asking random questions here, looking for answers why not send them to the people who have the answers. I pointed out something to them that Jason brought to my attention and later that day a new update came out.

Every question I have asked has been answered usually with an hour sometimes faster, try it.

Whatsapp: 1-284-496-6129

SC, you must be very charming! I have been calling the Tourist Board and Environmental Health for weeks, each time receiving the promise of a response. To date: zilch, nada, nothing. We can't get What's App to work, so we're paying international rates to be left on hold and told they will get back to me. Also tried e-mail. Nothing. So you are very lucky.

In the spirit of information sharing, if you get an "official" answer from the SteerCo whatsapp group, please share here.

Yesterday I asked: "I have a guest asking “What happens if they experience a flight delay during travel and arrive 4 days after their COVID test”?"

Answer: "The health authorities will be reasonable and understand circumstances beyond their control. They have taken these risk factors into consideration with testing on arrival and after 4 full days."

RW , that would be a first , me being charming lol!

The SteerCo has an email in addition to whatsapp. Try reopening@bvitourism.com.

RW if uts about quarantine at your own place then you need to apply throught the BVIGATEWAY once the site is active

WHEN are they going to really give the restrictions? No one wants to commit with the lack of /vague requirements.
IF one must go to a single anchorage and spend 4 days AND stay within 30 feet of boat, then BVI charters are doomed.

IF the first 4 days can be spent sailing, snorkeling and moving amongst several anchorages, with no shore excursions, then there is a possibility of some charters.

Fingers crossed for "requirements" coming out this week as promised in an email.

The first 4 days can be spent sailing and going to everywhere in the BVI waters, mooring and anchoring with snorkelling, swimming even getting to secluded beaches that will be flagged off for people still in quarantine , contactless delivery is also allowed so order food from your favourite restaurant and they can deliver it to the boat for you , just order online.

We had a meeting on Anegada , thats why we have this information, everybody else would but the news agaencies of the BVI chose not tobother sending anyone to our meeting and stream it live.

With the different threads (yachting vs this thread on traveling to the BVI and more sailing posts here) I’m confused... is there a single post or site clearly describing entry requirements for land visitors?
Thanks!

I think so far, this is the best and official site.

There is a great page that the Tourist Board has created and will continue to update that is just focused on Reopening information. It contains links to the official announcements along with links to the daily Steering Committe (SteerCo) videos, SteerCo contact information, and the industry guides for BVI businesses.

I highly recommend this page as an official source as well!

Enjoy....

I still have not seen the official list of places you can moor or even what you may do on days 0-4. This is key information for those considering charters/trips.

Sleepychef, Where can we get this information?

I got it first hand from the Premier and other ministers at a meeting on Anegada

If the bracelet is using Bluetooth technology to transmit data the frequency used is 2.4 Ghz.
2.4 Ghz would not give any 30 foot radius through water, five feet is more likely.

My guess is that these bracelets will be used for land guests who quarantine in villas, but that's only my guess of course.

SC: I have no doubt of what you say.

We (Charter boats and potential guests) need official announcements.

If he would publish that he might bring some much needed dollars to the BVI.

It would be worth sending an email or whatsapp to the SteerCo and see if they have an answer yet.

I did receive an official answer yesterday that the pre-test requirement for travelers from medium and high risk countries has been updated. The PCR test now has to be taken within 5 days instead of 3. It is also mentioned in one of the daily SteerCo video updates posted here.

That is good news!

I have an email from the charter yacht crewed marine industry that has put together many of the answers the steering committee has given to many of the different marine segments here in the BVI. If anyone wants a copy of this email, please send me a PM with your email address. I don't believe I should just copy and paste it here with site restrictions unless I am wrong on that.

kerry-- you can post an email addy here IF the owner of the address agrees..

Kerry - I'd love to see that. Will you post here or should I PM you?
Many thanks,
Chris