Covid-19 Information for the British Virgin Islands
Travellers Staying On Vessels Subject To Quarantine
December 2, 2020
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially reopened its borders to residents and visitors on December 1st, 2020.
All persons who arrive in the Territory must enter quarantine for a period of four complete days. Persons quarantining on an approved vessel must anchor or dock at the approved mooring sites throughout the duration of the mandatory four day quarantine.
Additionally, vessels are allowed restricted movement in the Territorial waters amongst the areas approved for quarantine mooring sites. Landing on any site is restricted until guests have received an Arrival Day/Day 0 negative PCR test result.
The public is also reminded that vessels must be provisioned before guests arrive and board. The vessel, guests, the entire party and the 30 foot radius around the vessel make up your “mobile bubble.” This “mobile bubble” allow guests to swim and enjoy our Territory within the specified 30 foot radius of the vessel.
Vessels can also visit the list of marine approved sites in the Territory, however vessels are to be anchored or docked by 6:00 p.m. daily at an approved mooring site until 5:00 a.m. the next day.
For further information email reopening@bvitourism.com or WhatsApp 284-496-6129.
Read the November 10, 2020 bulletin below for more information about covid-19 protocols.
Ministry of Health & Social Development
COVID-19 UPDATE – Re-entry Protocol
November 10, 2020
Read the full update for the BVIs
SUMMARY
Covid-19 testing & costs
All travellers will be required to download the approved app at BVIGateway.BVIAA.com to complete a travel declaration and upload test results to get approval in the form of a BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate before boarding their flight to the BVIs.
As described in this document, The Government of the British Virgin Islands announced major reductions in associated costs for travellers to the BVIs to meet the requirements implemented as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A previously estimated cost of $450 per tourist has been greatly reduced and now only 2 tests (one on arrival and one after 4 complete days of quarantining) are required in the BVI. All visitors entering the BVIs will be required to pay $175 per person in associated costs. This cost covers the traveller app, monitoring bracelet and the two COVID-19 tests in the BVIs.
The following tests will be required:
- A certified PCR COVID-19 negative test within 5 days prior to arrival for all visitors from low-risk countries and within 3 days prior to arrival for all travelers from medium and high-risk countries.
- Incoming travelers will also be required to test on arrival, which if negative allows for controlled movement within the confines of an approved property and tested again after four (4) complete days of quarantine, which if negative would allow for movement within the Territory.
A visitor who tests positive before travelling will not be allowed to enter the BVI; however, those testing positive upon arrival will require 14 days quarantine.
Individuals who damage or tamper with the monitoring bracelet will be charged a $125 fee.
Travellers requiring a test from a government facility to facilitate entry to their next destination will be charged $70 per test.
Arrival, Test & Contact Tracing App
At the new Welcome Center in the airport, officials will perform health screening including temperature check plus a COVID-19 PCR test. Visitors will also be required to download to their phone a contact tracing application and use a wearable device (tracking bracelet).
Transportation
Visitors must take "approved" transportation to their accommodations.
Insurance
Required: medical travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Yachts
The Cabinet decided that the Protocol for Vessel Arrivals will require certified RT-PCR testing and provide for quarantine accommodations aboard vessels as well as restricted movement within Territorial waters as follows:
- Four (4) days' quarantine will be undertaken on the vessels at mooring sites to be approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration;
- Vessels will be able to move within territorial waters during the quarantine period but they may only moor at approved sites as approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration;
- Mega yachts will be approved entry in accordance with established marine protocols, except otherwise as approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development.
Read the full November 10, 2020 update for the BVIs
Monday evening (26 October 2020) the BVI Tourist Board released:
STATEMENT BY PREMIER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE, HONOURABLE ANDREW A. FAHIE
THE VIRGIN ISLANDS PHASE ONE RE-OPENING OF THE TOURIST INDUSTRY
Summary
Commencing 1st December 2020, entry into the BVI will be exclusive to air travel via the Terrence B Lettsome International Airport.
All arriving passengers would be required to have obtained prior approval to enter the Territory and would have agreed to abide by certain terms and conditions before boarding their flight.
These terms and conditions include periods of quarantine at approved accommodation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, medical travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage, subscription to a contact tracing system through their mobile phone, and in some cases using a wearable device, and bearing the costs associated with these measures.
Approval for travel takes the form of a BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate which will be obtained via an online portal, called BVI Gateway. The portal is being set up at BVIGateway.BVIAA.com and is projected to be live on Monday, 2nd November 2020.
Prospective travelers would be required to register on the BVI Gateway portal, and to upload their relevant documents. The application must be completed at least 48 hours prior to the intended flight.
Approved travelers must present their BVI Gateway Traveller Authorisation Certificate along with their negative PCR test result, at the check-in counter prior to boarding the flight into the Territory.
The negative PCR test result should be obtained at least five (5) days prior to travel. It is important to note that if the PCR testing is positive, persons will be denied approval to travel to the BVI.
On arrival at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, travelers would be directed to our new welcoming centre for screening before the traveler goes through immigration.
At the screening centre, traveler will do a PCR test and we will ensure that the visitors have installed the contact tracing software on their mobile phones. After this, they would be directed to approved transportation which will take them to their approved accommodation.
For the first four days, travelers would be required to remain within the compound of their accommodation and to avoid or minimise contact with others outside of their party, as well as to keep their movement to a minimum.
On the fourth day, the traveler would be required to take another PCR test.
Once the result is negative, they would be allowed restricted movement to designated places. These would be locations that are not high-traffic or high-risk. These locations are being coordinated by Environmental Health and other Government agencies and the establishments will be notified.
A final PCR test would be administered on Day 8 and once this test also returns negative, the traveler would be able to move within the Territory, without limitation.
At all times, the traveler would be required to have their mobile device with them, with the tracing software active. This is for their own protection, as well as the safety of others.
Read the full statement: The Virgin Islands Phase One Re-Opening of the Tourist Industry.
We have learned that there will be different criteria for BVI charter guests.
Don't Panic... We will keep you informed.
The Premier and Minister of Finance of the British Virgin Islands, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has announced that the Territory’s borders will be opened to visitors on December 1, 2020 and has called on the people of the Virgin Islands to do their part to make the reopening a success.
Premier Fahie said that the Territory has two full months to prepare and it is important for Government, private sector, and the public to work together to ensure a successful reopening of the borders.
He said that the Government is optimistic and is vigorously preparing for the re-opening of the Territory to welcome back tourists among others.
Read the full September 22, 2020 press release
When the BVIs publish details about their re-opening, we will post it here... Watch this space.
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