Covid-19 Information for the British Virgin Islands
STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE CARVIN MALONE
Minister for Health and Social Development
~ JUNE 10, 2021 ~
Covid-19 Update and Adjusting Covid-19 Public Health Measures to Support Continued Safe Reopening
In a statement made on June 10th, the Honourable Carvin Malone, Minister for Health and Social Development, has announced that effective June 15, fully vaccinated persons traveling to the British Virgin Islands from overseas will no longer be subjected to COVID-19 tests upon arrival.
He also stated that rapid antigen Covid tests will now be accepted for entry if you are fully vaccinated. In addition, the Gateway fees will be reduced to $35 for these individuals.
In the speech he stated, “I am pleased to provide this update on the subsequent changes which are expected to take effect by June 15th 2021.
- Cabinet has decided that fully vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would be required to provide an RT-PCR test or an approved rapid antigen test within five (5) days of arrival and provide satisfactory evidence of being fully vaccinated.
- Cabinet further decided that fully vaccinated travellers would no longer be subject to PCR testing on arrival (day zero) and resultantly NO quarantine time would be required save for that ordered by a Quarantine Officer as a result of their entry screening.
- In addition, effective June 15, 2021, Cabinet decided that partially vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would require a PCR test within (5) days of travel; provide satisfactory evidence of being partially vaccinated, and will be subject to a PCR test or rapid antigen test upon arrival in the Territory (day zero) and quarantined for a period of four (4) days.
- In light of these decisions, Cabinet further decided that the Gateway administrative fee be reduced from $105.00 to no more than thirty-five dollars ($35) for fully vaccinated travellers.
- For flight and vessel crews who are fully vaccinated, Cabinet decided that these persons would no longer be required to conduct bi-weekly screening and testing, but should self-monitor and report any symptoms of or recent exposure to COVID-19.
For the record, I think it is important to emphasis that these decisions will take effect from June 15, 2021. All things being equal, we anticipate that the revision of the entry portal to effect these changes will be a work in progress. We therefore ask travellers to be patient with us as we anticipate there will be processing issues in light of these amendments. Safety must remain our first priority for this Territory and we crave your indulgence during this period.
Decisions taken and reported during my last presentation on May 13th still remain in effect. Let me highlight these again for the benefit of everyone:
- Where fully vaccinated persons are travelling with one or more unvaccinated child:
- Children aged 5-17 will be tested on arrival;
- Children will remain with their fully vaccinated parents/guardians while awaiting their test results.
- Unvaccinated children will be required to return to a testing centre and be subjected to a further test on day four.
- The quarantine period for unvaccinated travellers has been extended from four (4) days to seven (7) days. This still remains in effect.
- Where people are traveling with mixed groups with some individuals unvaccinated, the party of unvaccinated individuals will be expected to be quarantined for 7 days upon arrival. The exemptions recently approved will only apply to the vaccinated persons in that party.
The recent decisions taken by Cabinet will also effect some additional changes particularly for ‘outgoing day trippers’. Persons who now wish to travel to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, or Puerto Rico for any period, as long as they are fully vaccinated, would no longer be required to take a PCR test seven days after returning to the Territory. However, children aged 5 to 17 travelling with their parents on the day trip will be required to take a RT-PCR test 7 days from their travel.
As a result of these decisions, the Premier will soon be announcing further measures that will be put in place that will continue to strengthen our tourism industry and by extension our economy, while balancing lives and livelihoods.
Read the full statement HERE.
When the BVIs publish details about their re-opening, we will post it here... Watch this space.
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