Returning by ferry to USVI

I am trying to work out the final logistics to our June trip. As I read the rules it appears that if you are taking a ferry from the BVI to the USVI to fly home from STT no covid test is required for the return. Am I reading this wrong or is this correct?
G

We are doing this tomorrow. Unless this is part of the new protocol, I don't think this is correct. The USVI still requires a covid test and travel authorization, even for transit. I have not seen any May 15 changes in this regard.

And you can forget calling the CDC Covid hotline. I did that Friday with this exact question. She put me on hold, searched her script, and then kept reading to me how I shouldn't take a cruise! Apparently that was the only reference to a boat. I explained it was a one-hour, open-air ferry.

The rule says it applies to people returning to the US by air. Drive from Mexico, no test; fly, need a test. That would imply it's the airplane that is the risk factor.

Some people report that their water taxi didn't request test results, but that's a risky strategy.

From what I read, the USVI requires a COVID test within 5 days when traveling back from BVI to USVI via ferry. No test is required flying USVI back to the states.

It's 3 days.

xrayman is correct. A Covid test is required to enter the USVI whether by air or sea. It is a USVI regulation. You also must register on theIr portal.

According to the portal it is 5 days. I do understand that all flights into US are 3 days. https://usvitravelportal.com/

I received additional information. A test is required within 5 days. That means if your BVI trip is 9 days or less the day 4 test covers you. Sadly our trip is 10 days. We are all going to get a antibody test now on the hope we are positive. I had covid and all but my granddaughter are vaccinated which may trigger a positive antibody test. They do expect there may be some relief in the covid test for vaccinated people in the next two weeks.

Hmmm, I do see that. Sorry for my "correction"! I could swear it was three days previously, but may be confusing it when we had to return test and were transiting through PR.

On our December visit, there was a return test required for transiting USVI.
For February, we booked through San Juan to avoid that test, only to have the US add their own test requirement.

Hopefully our next trip will be less complicated!

The USVI Travel Portal has a decent explanation of the USVI requirements for entry. It does not address the CDC requirements for entry to the US. I'd love to hear other's experience on who checks for the 3-day test. I suspect it's part of the ferry check-in. I am getting the sense on FB that people are hoping to circumvent the US CDC 3 day requirement by going thru the USVI which only has a 5 day test requirement. Why can't people just follow the rules in place? It's not that hard and they are there for safety reasons.

MrEZgoin - maybe you can report after your ferry experience?

You are correct; it was 3 days to enter the USVI for a long time. It changed to 5 days a couple of months ago. BUT, that does not eliminate the 3 day test requirement for the US.

That part seems a bit unclear, since it clearly states that the US return test requirement does not apply to returning from the USVI, no?

There is no 3 day test requirement to enter the US from a US territory.

I can tell you for a fact that as late as April 2, the SouthWest gate agent required proof of a 3 day test before boarding in Puerto Rico if you originated in the BVI.

You are considered in that case as a international traveler arriving in the US by air. Had you ferried to the USVI by boat and then flown out the test is not required. As others mentioned however the USVI requires a test 5 days prior.

That's a total loophole and it's embarrassing that people I know are exploiting it. Everyone understands the intent of the CDC requirement. I hope when the CDC figures it out they close the BVI ferry down just out of principle. Have some common decency and try to keep US citizen safe.

The usvi portal will not accept a test 5 days out for return to the USVI from BVI. I tried 3 weeks ago. I know it reads 5 days on the portal but when you enter your traveling from the BVI it goes to 3 days. This was required by Island Birds to fly to STT and a week later was required by Ocean Dreams Water Taxi for a separate group. They did check our tests when leaving by boat. After you get to the USVI there is no test required to fly back to the US.

We actually moved our day 4 test back to day 5 and did an extra day of on the boat quarantine to prevent having to go back for another exit test.

May 15 will be a relief but I guess we will still need the exit test to get back home.

First I am fully vaccinated and have had covid in the past. I am not putting anyone at risk. That does not even consider that under the current BVI and USVI rules I will have had 3 covid tests in the 2 weeks prior. The last one 5 days prior. Second it’s not a loophole. The CDC specifically exempted travel from US territories and specifically stated only arrivals by air need tests. I highly doubt they just forgot about arrivals by ground and sea transportation. I just took a boat from the USVI to Key West non stop. We asked Customs exactly what testing would be required to arrive in the US. The answer was no testing required.
Your entire statement about putting people at risk is just plain strange especially considering we will be on a boat in the BVI with almost no covid for the trip verses USVI vacationers also flying home without any testing mingling with the crowds in the USVI with a much higher rate of active covid cases. The USVI is booming, tourists everywhere! It’s also likely the US will end all testing requirements for International air arrivals if you are fully vaccinated in the next month.

George--Really? That would be music to my ears, as we have a trip planned to St Maarten in June!!

We flew from EIS to STT and were required to submit the 3 day. Friends left earlier and took a water taxi and had to submit a 5 day. We are considering taking a water taxi vs the ferry in June (unless additional departures are offered). Water taxi websites indicate that a 5 day test is required to enter USVI via sea. This is consistent with private vessels entering USVI waters. I have friends in the USVI and they seem to feel that protocols will not be changing soon for vaccinated travelers.

Another poster feels your friends should get another test 3 days prior to insure they don’t put others at risk. I doubt the USVI protocols will change which is a bit strange considering they accept a positive antibody test. We are going to get a antibody test since the vaccine often but not always will generate a positive antibody test. It’s worth trying to avoid the hassle on vacation.

Jason--He edited his post. Let's move on.

When I gave them results from my antibody test, I was given a green barcode within a few hours of submitting it to the travel portal.

Jandreas - I was referring to leeway for vaccinated travelers.

They approved antibody for BVI-STT via sea? I have been trying to clarify that but can’t get any info from the USVI.

George,

Just had my antibody test done because we are going back and forth to St. Thomas multiple times in the coming months. I never had COVID (that I know of) but did have the Pfizer vaccine and I have the antibodies! So there is hope that if you are vaccinated you will show a positive antibody.

I had a antibody positive test last June from catching covid. I have been vaccinated on top of that so hoping I am still positive. Rumors going around that the BVI will change its policy on children shortly. Let’s hope!
G

I spoke to someone on the committee of health advisors that is responsible for the protocol yesterday. An announcement modifying the protocol is imminent, just has to get the approval of the politicians.

Something to check on - I give blood regularly and was told that getting the vaccine does not mean you will show antibodies. I gave blood after my second vaccine shot and did not show antibodies since I never had COVID.

They are saying that being vaccinated is hit or miss on having a positive antibody test. Optimum to show a positive is about 90 days after vaccination.

This is what they told me when I went in to get my antibody test, which was 7 weeks after my second shot. I guess I hit!