TravelTalkOnline

Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry

Posted By: captmonk

Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/14/2021 01:28 PM

Anyone heard anything about the BVI offering Antigen test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry?
Malone stated the other day that they would start using them for testing incoming passengers.
Posted By: Manpot

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/14/2021 03:19 PM

Its anitbody test..I got mine at CVS in San Francisco and would recommend getting it in the US if you can as its good for four months. Dont know where you can get it in the BVI's..
Posted By: ecm56

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/14/2021 04:40 PM

Two tests with "anti" in the name have been discussed.

The Antibody test (mentioned by Mal) can be taken before your departure and is accepted for up to four months for entry into the USVI by water (taxi, ferry). The antibody test is not accepted for entry into the U.S. by air (which is driven by the CDC requirements).

The Antigen Test, also called Rapid Antigen Test, is now (as of 10 June) apparently accepted by the BVI for the test you do before departure (and enter the results on the portal). It's not clear yet whether the BVI intends to only allow some types of Rapid Antigen tests. Minister Malone's wording contained the word "approved" but there has been no clarification of which tests might be approved vs. not approved. This Rapid Antigen test is also accepted by the USVI for entry by water (taxi, ferry).

My reading of the update to the CDC Order is that a Rapid Antigen test would also (now), as of 7 May, be acceptable for entry to the U.S. by air but it must be supervised. If it is a DIY type of test, this means a video session to observe the process.

Results are usually available for both tests much more quickly than the RT-PCR tests.

Of course, all the rules can change at any moment so keep checking reliable sources.
Posted By: captmonk

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/14/2021 09:18 PM

Roger all but I am wondering if there is any word on the BVI offering them for exit test instead of having to do the rt-pcr test which is the only thing currently available on island. You would think the local clinics would see an opportunity with them...
Posted By: TomGarvey

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 12:12 PM

If you’re traveling via the USVI, the same antibody test that gets you entry from the mainland will also work for reentry from the BVI. Though you will need to do the USVI entry portal again, you can just upload the same antibody test results.
Posted By: captmonk

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 03:15 PM

Roger...I have that. I am trying to see if anyone has heard anything about the BVI offering Rapid Test for exiting the BVI.
BTW....Penn's Medical across from TMM offers RT-PCR Testing for exiting the BVI...no wait or appointment.
Posted By: JasonHelmbrecht

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by captmonk
Roger...I have that. I am trying to see if anyone has heard anything about the BVI offering Rapid Test for exiting the BVI.
BTW....Penn's Medical across from TMM offers RT-PCR Testing for exiting the BVI...no wait or appointment.

That's great information! Do you know if they have their own lab or are they sending samples to the government lab?
Posted By: RatmansWife

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 03:32 PM

Do you know how much Penn Medical charges?
Posted By: captmonk

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by captmonk
Roger...I have that. I am trying to see if anyone has heard anything about the BVI offering Rapid Test for exiting the BVI.
BTW....Penn's Medical across from TMM offers RT-PCR Testing for exiting the BVI...no wait or appointment.

That's great information! Do you know if they have their own lab or are they sending samples to the government lab?

They use the same lab but seem to have an in for pushing results thru. Best part I found was no appointment needed....
Posted By: captmonk

Re: Antigen Test for USVI Entry from BVI by Ferry - 06/15/2021 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by RatmansWife
Do you know how much Penn Medical charges?

$80...so $10 more but way more convenient
© 2024 TravelTalkOnline