New restrictions

Just announced: Restaurants are takeout only and curfew is 7pm to 5 am. Real bummer for everyone on vacation.

Was there a duration mentioned? 14 days?

Correct. But I assume that could change. Glad we left when we did.

We were there 6/16 - 7/1. I feel so fortunate that we got to experience it the way we did. Very sad.

Darn - I should have joined Mal last night for dinner at the Sugar Mill! The current number of infections according to Platinum News (https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=32803) is 821 confirmed, that is 2.7% of the population!

Yes, 14 days. They are restricted to 14 day increments so it will likely extend on day 13.

I wonder if any restaurants will fire up a "take out to the boat" program? I understand that in the grand scheme of things getting COVID under control is more important than the eating plans of our group. But still with 6 days left on our charter and plans to have a great meal today at Wonky Dog and lobster in a few days at Abe's it is disappointing.

Wonky Dog is offering takeout service from their dock from 5:30pm until 6:45pm.

Abe’s would likely do the same - I suggest contacting them. They are very responsive on Facebook messenger and phone.

Thanks for the update. We were going to call later to see if that was a possibility though bringing meals back to the boat getting splashed on isn't quite the same as dining on shore.

We'll definitely check. We were only able to get a single 2lb lobster last night at ARH (the 5 of us shared it as an appetizer) so we're a bit behind on our lobster eating quota.

He is sleepychef on TTOL if you want to PM him (Peter)...I think he will even let you stay on one of his mooring balls if you eat there

Glad we provisioned enough for dinner on board. Just finished PCR testing at JVD and was looking forward to heading to CGB for dinner at Indigo this evening but I guess that isn't in the cards.

Besides takeout, and great option for at home or on board dining is the At Home Meals from Brandywine Estate. Chef Regis make several different meals that are all frozen and serve 3-4 people. Easy to store on board and then warm thru in an oven. He has Chicken Pie, Fish Pie, Beef Lasagna, Vegetable Lasagna, Coq Au Vin, and Eggplant "something". Also a couple of soups!

I've tried several and they are very good! Available from the restaurant if you call in advance (they have moorings and a dinghy dock).
Also available from -
-Riteway, Pasea, Nanny Cay, Sopers Hole and Virgin Gorda
-Relish in Town and Nanny Cay
-One Mart
-Chefs Pantry and Guavaberry Cottages in Virgin Gorda

I haven't seen anything which says you can't order takeout and enjoy your meal on the beach. At a secluded spot you might even be able to use picnic tables. Just be back at home or on your boat by 7 pm. It sucks, but a little creativity helps.

Just changed all my plans..head to STT Sunday..overnight at Windward Passge ( no room at Emerald Beach) and on to SFO and Sonoma Monday..this $hit is getting old! I'll be back in October hoperfully for longer with few restrictions..

What is the current situation with cruise ships? I believe several are scheduled this month? And I see USVI ferries are entering, are day visitors allowed in if they have the required docs? Or is that only for folks staying in the BVI?

Sounds like the right thing to do, Mal. Really tough situation.

The video of the full announcement is here on FaceBook. It is long but one of the more informative updates because the health experts in the territory were given time to add their observations and advise. I'm not sure we'll get a full transcript of this update but should see a graphic soon of the updated health order.

I don't have facebook - would you be able to add a synopsis of measures or other information?

From Facebook by Chris Midgley on BVI ALIVE:

UPDATE: JULY 9 COVID RESTRICTIONS
As of July 9, the following restrictions are in place:
- Curfew from 7PM to 5AM
- All restaurants are take-out ONLY (no in restaurant dining)
- All persons advised to limit their movement and stay home at home where possible
Prior restrictions from July 5th remain:
- All bars-only/nightclubs are closed
- Ferries being reduced to maximum 65 people
- Bars/clubs closed
- In addition to current entry rules, all fully vaccinated individuals will receive a rapid test upon entry (starting July 12) for an additional fee ($50)
Current surge:
- >800 active cases
- 12 people in hospital, 2 ICU, 10 special care unit, one new death of young patient
- 11 of the patients are unvaccinated, one is vaccinated
- Expecting potentially 1,000 more cases in a weeks time
Health care capacity:
- Peebles has 6 ICU (2 in use) and 17 special care (10 in use)
- Field hospital being deployed, adding 26 beds (for less sick individuals)
- Testing being moved from Peebles to public school, and tent being reallocated for triage
- Currently doing 700-1500 tests per day
- Festival grounds to become drive-thru testing and vaccination location
Sources:
https://www.facebook.com/BVIGovern.../videos/537307240643229
https://www.facebook.com/BVIGo.../videos/135519658661042/...

The highlights are:
- Curfew from 7PM to 5AM
- All restaurants are take-out ONLY (no in restaurant dining)
- All persons advised to limit their movement and stay home at home where possible

Important health care info:
- ICU has 6 beds; 2 in use
- COVID unit has 17 beds; 10 in use
- multipurpose sport complex converted to field hospital with 26 beds
- all quarantine and travel testing moved to public school location
- current testing tent converted to triage space
- current patient info; 11 unvaccinated and 1 vaccinated

Attached are the most telling graphics.

Mal and I drove past the testing centre at the school in Sea Cows bay yesterday and the place was full. I suppose that they are overloaded with testing right now so I probably won't be able to squeeze in to get my exit test. I had Antigua on my list as a possible next stop, but if you arrive without a valid test you will spend 14 days in quarantine (regardless of vaccination status) and since the test needs to be less than 72 hours old and getting the results here will take 2 days plus 2 days of sailing time that destination is out for me! From a friend who arrived in Dutch St. Martin he said it cost him $800 to clear in. It looks like St. Martin French Side or Guadeloupe is next on my travel list. My entry stamp expires on Tuesday and since the same department that is refusing to answer my exit-permission questions is responsible for extending stays I'm not too sanguine about getting anything done in time.

Utilization at hospital is not good...

For a quicker test option, make an appointment at Penn Medical. They have been doing 24 hr. turnaround and allow an appointment time. They are located just past the TMM base building as you go to the brewery.

For any destination that will take a rapid test, you could try to find someone with an extra eMed test on Tortola. Then you could do the test on board when you arrive at your destination.

I and Pam are scheduled to arrive Aug 3 for 3 weeks. Thinking of bagging this trip. Not worth going into the BVI with all the issues.

I'd be doing the same thing if we didn't have someone on the property.

J..looked for you on CGB today but found"Husker" and his crew..a nice break..

Been working. Trying to get down for a walk before 7pm. Next time you're around just pop up the hill. I have some Red Stripe with your name on them!!

What a miserable day. I fouled my anchor at White Bay (I never knew that mooring balls could sink!) and now read this https://www.284media.com/local/2021...se-to-5000-by-aug-sep-if-spike-continue/

Wow....

sorry Zanshin...FWIW I have the white bay coco loco painter for the mooring ball on my basement wall. the crew took it after I wrapped it around my prop and had to go out to sea to untangle...very humbling experience

Hey Mal - assuming you are ferrying over Sunday? Our son Andy is going on the 11:00 RTFF, also heading back to the US.

Just curious?

just back from 10-day

White bay Jost was crazy with boats -- at least 15-20 packed in there

Were not allowed by our charter company to go there -- We were really bummed until we saw why -- they told us it was because there were no markers at the entrances -- not true -- Red/Green still at both entrances. We took a ball at Great harbor and taxied -- much more relaxing and the cab drivers need the business.

Had the WORST painkiller at the Soggy Dollar we have had anywhere -- mentioned (nicely) to the barkeep and since no one else has complained we must be crazy.....maybe so.

what charter company wont let you go there?

we stayed on a ball at the East end for 3 days end of June...Great Harbour was packed

and agree the painkillers weren't up to par...

I WISH it was redlined for my charter company - I shudder thinking my boat might be in the midst of the s*** show it can be. Sigh.

We had one drink at Soggy the entire 5 days we spent moored in front of Ivan’s. Have decided to avoid Soggy entirely from now on. Besides we much prefer Darlene’s Bikini Bottom

BVIYachtCharter. If I had a boat with a company I would want them to do the same (although until I saw the situation we were pretty miffed) ......only a matter of time...

I totally agree with BVIYC and their decision to redline White Bay. We hit a rock there years ago that was right in the channel between the markers. Luckily no damage as we were motoring slowly. Now we always go directly to Great Harbor, much less stress.
Too bad about the Pain Killers at Soggy, that was their claim to fame! But I am a fan of Gertrude's anyhow.

Trying to post the announcement from the BVIHSA that travelers must allow a minimum of 72 hours for PCR test results. Problem is, the CDC requires a maximum of 72 for a PCR test result when returning to the US by air. So no return to the US by air, it would appear.

That type of PCR test return time is exactly what I'm worried about for my travel plans. Since my sailing destinations are all 24 hours+ travel time, I'm definitely SOL. Also, I have 2 destination that require a printed copy which is even harder to come by in a timely manner. I suppose that officials both in the BVI and elsewhere have never heard of "Catch-22" or Joseph Heller!

Sure hope the emed.com proctored home test kits I brought will still be accepted by the USVI when we leave on Friday so I don't have to worry about scheduling a local PCR. I guess I'll find out tomorrow.

If you are ferrying from BVI to USVI, your entry is not by air, it is by sea. That gives you a 5 day lead time on exit testing, not 3 days.

By ferry you can take one of the other tests. Problem is, we just spent $2k on Cape Air coupons. We only fly because we can't get there in one day through St. Thomas.

Mal - Thanks for stopping by. Great meeting you. Safe travels back. We are a few days behind you. Feels like we may be getting out just in time with this new spike.
Best,
Chris.

You can't make this stuff up - http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....fasting-for-vi-begins-today-july-11-2021

So the answer to this outbreak is prayer instead of vaccinations/medicine.

For sure, you can't make this stuff up... Ridiculous.

It's especially disturbing to see Government engaging in this type of magical thinking. That undermines their own efforts to get more people vaccinated.
How about instead of, "Persons in the Virgin Islands are encouraged to pick any time between 5:00 am & 5:00 pm for the next 21 days to lift themselves and territory in prayer," they say, "Persons in the Virgin Islands are encouraged to pick any time between 9:00 am & 5:00 pm for the next 21 days to get a lift to a vaccination center and protect themselves and territory from illness."

Tom--agreed!

And fasting. Pretty certain you won’t be helping your immune system remain strong by fasting. Unbelievable.

Just about the only thing that Karl Marx got right in the long run was his statement about what the "opiate of the masses" is!

I think he got it wrong. It is television (or, perhaps, "social media").

Just got back from a week as well, Marine Max wouldn't let us take the boat into White either. They said that they're no longer letting people go in there due to too many people finding the reef - told us to dingy around... With the wind last week, we declined.

Food was terrible all over the place, except Tipsy Shark on JVD. Pirates Bight was the worst, and most expensive of all.

Interesting...I can see not going into White Bay West as that is a s***show. That must be new for Marine Max because last trip we moored on the east side with 3 of their powercats...

also sorry to hear food was bad...we thought pretty good at Leverick, Potters, Cow Wreck, Scrub, Hendos, Quitos, Coco Maya but that was 3 weeks ago...we ate out more to try and help the locals...

Agree as to Tipsy Shark

Dmax - agree on Pirate’s Bight. Food was actually terrible and it was the most expensive meal of the trip - for far less food and fewer beverages. We will never eat there again (in fact going to skip the Bight all together on future trips). Cooper too.

Cooper IMHO is the most overrated place down there. Food isn't good, service is bad and boatyball makes it a bad stop. Really nice places on Norman and Peter with same view and eat on the boat.

Benures would be my pick-of-the-litter, should there be space available, for the first 2 nights off the dock from Tortola. Fully provisioned, food-wine-liquor, fully fueled, on-board gen and AC if really necessary, I'd be happy as a sea turtle right there just to get the spirit dressed back in BVI comfort clothes. Perfect swimming, ( yep on skinny given your neighbors ), perfect beaching for littles and perfect snorkel-practice for those who might need remedials, awesome snorkeling around the reef, go ashore and hike Norman Island as you'd like. Goats and their kids on shore in the really early morning, a huge smile-producer for middle-school age kids.

It is so < not difficult> to feed folks very well on the boat. I'd also feel honored to do last night < shipwreck> right there in the same place.

Benures was great 1st day...nice hike to top overlooking money bay.

Great replacement for Coopers

Agreed about Tipsy Shark. Definitely a thumbs up. Foxies had a buffet which wasn’t really what we were looking for. But we had a nice lunch also at Cooper (good service), and have good memories of dinner at Pirates Bite on Norman also. This was in early in June. Also enjoyed Anegada Beach Club (where we had the best painkiller of the trip) and Wonky Dog. Pretty happy campers all in all.

Also agree Benures is a pleasant spot.

We love Benures. Spent our last few hours before heading back to base last trip (only one short week ago!) blissfully moored (all alone there) having lunch and sipping the last few Caribe that Bailau gifted us with 😊

Were in Benures last week 2 nights all alone. beautiful sunsets, great breeze

A ball is missing right at the pebble beach -- great anchor spot 15 ft of water great holding---felt very comfortable in 20 knot winds especially since two of the mooring balls were ashore on the west and did not trust the rest

Snorkel to the west so-so due to wave action the east point more interesting

Also love Kellys Cove -- only 2 overnight balls decent snorkel near the point

small price to pay for that 365 degree drone shot of the boat that was the hit of the trip....:)