TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Travel Issues C Virus

I travel a lot to Asia for work but not much lately, though one trip to Japan at end of January. No travel to China, in fact a big Exhibition we go to in Shanghai in April and the Formula 1 races are canceled. I keep up with the news very closely over that side of the planet. A good site for checking details is:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

My question is: Any discussions / issues / concerns on any of this in the Islands?

Has travel dropped off any?

I look at the news from the "Islands" and I have not seen any of this going on, hope it stays that way.

As of now, the only big news has been cruise ships denied coming into port, mostly with false suspicions. The BVI refused to allow a cruise ship to dock a day or so ago, which subsequently docked in St Maarten.

Daily Herald story

It’s on the radio here all day and in the news web sites. The Costa ship was not allowed because some passengers had flown directly from Italy to start the cruise. In addition, there is a person (local, I think) quarantined at the hospital while lab samples are sent to Trinidad. Look at Facebook BVI (I don’t know how to cut and paste on an iPhone).

Wont a lime prevent Corona virus?

Beach, sun, sand, water and an adequate dose of pain killers is a good home remedy for any ailment!

See. This right here. Corona is my go to beer. Have I not built up immunity to the virus?

The good news is that warm weather, sunshine, and humidity helps to reduce the spread of virus such as C-Virus.

we're coming out soon I'm looking forward to lots of cold Corona, PainKillers & Anegada lobster, imo the spread of this virus is now unstoppable so they might as well let it run riot, do what it has to do & move on.

Hehe. Funny. And very esoteric. Don't know that most will get it.

A little side bar to the silly habit of lime and Corona. When we first went to Baja, Mexico to surf in the 70's we first came across Corona and baby Coronitas beer..much better tasting than that "stuff" they now make especially for the US market. The bottling was notoriously bad and the caps left rust around the lip of the bottle...servers would give you a lime to wipe off the rust..then someone decided to jam the rusty lime into the beer..go figure! Anyway..back to the more serious subject. I hear there is one only possible case her in the BVI's and samples are in Trinidad being tested as we speak. Hope for the best.

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Sorry, I am from Canada, I don’t know if this is as economical as a visit to the Hospital for my Hard Working and Honest TTOL Friends in America if someone sneezes on You at Walmart?

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Any rumors on travel restrictions or bans for BVIs? I have a charter at end of April and still plan to go if allowed.

No need to debate whether it's stupid or being blown out of proportion, just looking for facts.

No restrictions at the moment. The BVI is cash starved. I doubt you will see any customs issues.

My charter starts May 2nd and we are still on at this point.

April 17th of us. Praying they don't put any travel restrictions, we still plan on going.

White out any Wuhan China Visa stamps and all will be fine!
G

Going down tomorrow, 2 limes in a corona keeps the bug away

April 10th, still planning to go.

3/28/20 - Here we come !!

April 18-27 land based. Still going as of now. Flights and where I am staying are refundable. I will decided that week based on how things stand at that time. Its a very fluid situation. If I do not go I will reschedule. For me its not so much a worry about getting sick, its more about being a possible carrier and spreading something I do not know I have and also getting stuck or quarantined. I would reschedule for early summer...late May or June.

There may be some bargains coming up in the April/May timeframe.

We are May 11 - May 18...I assume no more risk down there then in Washington DC

We wipe the boat clean with chlorox wipes anyways...learned that the hard way one from my brother in law who had a crew that got sick with diarrhea for the week...

I would say that the islands definitely are safer than the DC area, it's just getting there! Air travel is such a PITA in general these days, even without corona fears..

Agree...We have a JetBlue direct flight from DCA to SJU and the Island Birds Charter SJU to EIS which takes the bite out of the travel to some degree...

Still planning on 5/24-6/5

I just had a group of 12 cancel. Some were doctors who could not leave their post. others decided to cancel. I am staying in the BVI till this ends. I understand that some billionaires are coming to the BVI to wait it out.

Thorsten--I think this thing is going to be with us for a while, so settle down for a long stay..

Are charter starts May 2nd as well! well 3rd i guess once we get off of the docks. DYC, we will be on a bali 4.3. Maybe we will see you around.

Agree, not worried about the BVIs more worried about the airports. Have to transfer through Dulles and then to San Juan to Tortolla. Hand wash, disinfect and keep hands out of eyes, ears mouth and nose!!!!

Weekend flights to STT in May/June are still pretty full and not discounted

Planes have never been cleaner with every passenger wiping down their seat and all of those around them.

Some good news along with all the other craziness...Lobster Prices are dropping...at least in the USA

https://nypost.com/2020/03/09/coronavirus-outbreak-is-making-lobster-really-affordable/

Dave

Dave, there is lobster, and then there is a different lobster. Spiny lobster is a completely different critter from Atlantic lobster. Here in Maine, the price of lobster sure hasn't dropped.

Nah! Lime only helps keep Corona from smelling like skunk. Stay with ":greenies" to be safe.

Here now. They are looking carefully at passports at customs for previous travel to Asia.

doesn't look like we'll be seeing many Cruise Liners ; we're coming in a week, everything crossed that travel restrictions don't prevent us.

Press release from today.

109R/20 Contact: Adrianna J. Soverall
Ag. Public Health Communications Specialist
Ministry of Health and Social Development
Telephone: 468-4138
Email: asoverall@gov.vg

GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS ISSUES QUARANTINE ADVISORY

Thursday, March 12 – The Government of the Virgin Islands has implemented increased border control and quarantine measures for travellers entering the Territory based on assessment of risks, vulnerabilities and capacities in response to the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

This was done preceding the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the COVID-19 a pandemic today, March 11.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is hereby advising the public that any national or non-national with a travel history within the last 14 days from an affected area*, whether in transit or originating, or has been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 14 days, may be subject to quarantine on arrival in the British Virgin Islands for up to fourteen (14) days even if they do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

All travellers entering the BVI (including BVI citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family) will be subject to screening and passenger tracing at ports of entry; and may be subjected to clinical examination and quarantined for up to fourteen (14) days, as deemed necessary, in accordance with the Quarantine Act, 2014.

During quarantine, persons will be monitored for the development of signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 by a designated health officer. Travel outside of quarantined premises and direct contact with anyone other than medical personnel will be prohibited or restricted.

These measures are being taken to avert the introduction and active transmission of this disease in the British Virgin Islands, thereby safeguarding the health and wellbeing of all residents and visitors and will remain in effect until further notice.

OK, what is the definition of an "affected area"???

At the bottom of the press release:

* According to the WHO, “affected areas” are considered those countries, provinces, territories or cities experiencing ongoing transmission of COVID-19, in
contrast to areas reporting only imported cases.

To me, affected areas then would include the US...