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

Update:

To VIPCA Members,

Below are the updates of both BVI and USVI regarding Corona Virus protocol.

For yacht crew commencing charter in the USVI:

U.S. Virgin Islands Ports of Entry remain open. When yacht crew receive guests in the USVI from national or international flights the USVI Department of Health recommends that the yacht crew inquire if any guest has any flu-like symptoms, and if they do to phone the Department of Health on 340.712.6299 / 340.776.1519. Do not send suspected cases to any hospital or clinic, but instead recommend self-quarantining them in a hotel or home.

For entering the BVI with as a private vessel / charter vessel:

1. A Maritime Declaration of Health (see MDH attached sample) must be filled and submitted by email to XXXXXXXXX more than 24 hours in advance of arrival in the BVI. Within several hours of submitting the MDH by email you should receive notification of your permission to enter the territory.

2. Printed Personal Declaration Forms (attached) filled by each of the guests and crew is to be submitted at the Port of Entry with all other boat papers, with the yacht name on the form. General information number for BVI Ministry of Health +1284-852-7650.

3. The most recent information released by the BVI government (which you may follow at https://bvi.gov.vg/covid-19) is below and attached:
1. Revised list of Special Interest Countries and High Risk Countries (see attached).

2. Revised quarantine policy (perhaps more aptly called Entrance to BVI policy)

a. With effect from March 15, 2020 passengers and crew members who have travelled to, from or through COVID-19 affected countries as specified in a list of countries of *special interest within a period of 14 days or less will not be allowed to enter the British Virgin Islands.

b. Nationals or non-nationals who have been in close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within a period of 14 days or less, will be subject to quarantine for up to fourteen (14) days even if they do not exhibit symptoms of COVID-19

c. Nationals or non-nationals who have travelled to, from or through a *high risk country within a period of 14 days or less immediately preceding their arrival in the Territory will be subject to enhanced screening procedures** and may be quarantined for a period up to fourteen (14) days based on the outcome of a risk assessment


*Be sure to note the difference between “special interest” and “high risk”
**The Chief of Environmental Health describes “enhanced screening” to be a temperature reading or a call mid week to ensure there has been no change in health.

Janet Oliver, Executive Director of Charter Yacht Society this weekend said "no charter boat of which we are aware, with or without guests, has been turned away from the BVI to date. Yes, the Ports of Entry are more congested than usual but visitors continue to be welcomed to the Territory”:

Hi. I have made this a new thread, as it is apparently the most recent information, so that people will not have to read through the whole rest of the thread.

Note: The United States is currently labeled as a High Risk Country under bullet point 3. section C. The below rules apply.


c. Nationals or non-nationals who have travelled to, from or through a *high risk country within a period of 14 days or less immediately preceding their arrival in the Territory will be subject to enhanced screening procedures** and may be quarantined for a period up to fourteen (14) days based on the outcome of a risk assessment

Thanks for that additional info.

Ahoy Captains,

I love the InterWebs.

A little Curious as to Why anyone travelling between the USVI and the BVI would want to send Critical & Confidential information regarding Medical & Legal & Passport to -

An email that 3 Anti Viral programs will Alert as a Virus ? (x@yahoo.com)
or
A hacked hotmail for the Antigua and Barbuda Board of Health ? (Central Board of Health, Antigua and Barbuda , Email: x@hotmail.com)

Maybe think twice about this?
I know since it is on the InterWebs it MUST be True.
But, maybe think twice about this?

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

The massive RED FLAG in this is that the BVI government will respond to an email in a several hours . This is a phishing scam and should be deleted before anyone sends information.

all BVI government emails end gov.vg

I have no idea what's going on with this, but I deleted the emails in the original post.

Sometimes several days, other times NEVER.... And NEVER in a couple of hours. YMMV

Good points about the emails. That is sketchy. I have followed up with my General Manager here for more details. That was the email he forwarded to our entire team.

It is from:

From: VI Professional Charter Association <info@vipca.org>
Date: March 16, 2020 at 10:12:08 AM EDT
Subject: COVID-19 Impact, Update, Monday March 16th


And the signature was this if anyone wants to contact directly:

Warm Regards,

Oriel Blake
Executive Director
VI Professional Charter Association
6100 Red Hook QTRS STE E-21, St. Thomas, VI 00802-1344
Ph: 1(340)642-0656
www.vipca.org

From Gov Jaspert:

https://www.bviddm.com/update-from-governor-jaspert-on-territorys-response-to-covid-19/

Moorings....note change policy

https://www.moorings.com/travel-advisory

Not surprised the Moorings is getting ahead of this from a customer service standpoint. They have the financial ability to weather this storm. Customers will appreciate the upfront approach. I had a situation several years ago when they stopped making travel insurance automatic. Death in the family. After some back and forth they agreed to allow us to rebook despite not having the insurance.