TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands BVI News - Air entry protocols next Thursday?

Link to BVI News article below:

Protocols for air travel to be released by next Thursday

Sounds about right....keeping my fingers crossed for no quarantine

It will be what it will be. I am so exhausted from this rollercoaster that I am done caring by now. And the way things are going with second surge in Europe, coming down in December may be moot anyway.

Fingers and everything else crossed...need to get back.

I also have given up on going back anytime soon. Just too much hassle and expenses.Even at this date they still cannot give any information except manana. Will go to Key West instead. Easy drive down a great highway. I also am not going to accept any guests even though that hurts my bottom line and after having spent millions it hurts not to have any income.

Not giving up on going back or giving up on the 2021 season yet.....

Although mentally I will admit I have finally wrapped my head around not having any rental income for the foreseeable future from Hideaway and while not happy, it is what it is and we will be okay.

We have been working out a different short term business model to get us through this period. Once the protocols are announced, we may try and secure 30 day rentals at a reduced rate (pay for 2.5 weeks and stay for up to 30 days) <--looking at the retirees that would have come for a week to ten days population or those who can work remotely. Not sure we will get many takers, but any subsidy to the maintenance costs would be helpful.

Only had maybe 2 renters that stayed over 2 weeks. Gave them a discount but all of them were couples. Since my villa is very large now I cannot rent for a month or so with low rates.. I think you will find the same. Most folks stay up to 2 weeks.

I have not had a request for a rental in 3 months. Don't know if it will pick up early 2021. I have some rentals for mid year.and some renters that have paid and are waiting to be able to come in.

We have never had a renter stay that long either tpcook, but COVID is dictating that we all think and structure our businesses differently.

We are working through those thoughts rather than wanting and wishing for the world to return to Pre Irma/Covid status.

We have many snowbirds from our area who are looking to spend a month down south and have been approached on doing this with our villa. If the protocols dictate that weekly rentals are not feasible, we want to be ready with plan b or plan c.

Does that make sense?

It does make sense..we have had renters at CRC for one month and a couple for six weeks. We will be getting very creative once we know what the fri&&in rules are. We will most certainly offer 10 days for 7 and increasing discounts for longer term..

It makes perfect sense. We have several regular renters that come for 3-4 weeks and some as long as 60 days. We give very favorable rates and reduce the housekeeping overhead a little bit. Other island nations are encouraging people to come for several months and work remotely. Sure wish the BVI would be forward thinking like that. I'd like nothing more than a full property of people staying for 2+ months!

You might be surprised this year as to guest requests for longer rentals..we have had guests ask for 1 month and even multi month rentals in the Outer Banks for the first time...They just want to get out of their houses and go somewhere different.

BVI would be a great place to spend a month

I totally agree. I am not working remotely so I have limited time off. We are still holding out on getting to Anegada sometime. But in the meantime a few days on St Helena Island, SC is coming up this weekend. It ain't the BVI. But I need to see the ocean in a bad way.

Sounds like there are more than a few villa owners on this forum. We have a sail boat in a charter fleet (in the BVI) and we have been talking about mixing in some time on land in between our owner-time charters. In other words, stay in the BVI for a month or two....two weeks on boat, two weeks on island, rinse and repeat. I would be interested getting more info. Please PM on this forum or post a link where I can get more info.

Quite a few of us are TTOL sponsors. If you watch the banners on each page you'll see them pop up or you can go to the BVI Sponsors page.

I have 10 rentals right in the center of Cane Garden Bay. Walking distance to the beach, groceries, laundry, and all the bars and restaurants that CGB offers! Stop by and check us out sometime when you're on charter. My banner says Agape Cottages, but will change soon as we are rebranding to Coconut Breeze Villas.

Cheers,
Jason

www.virgin-gorda-villa.com large waterfront villa on vg

Hi Husker - that sounds like a great idea - I'm sure we can work something out. cheers Brian

Hello Ski2play

Irma ate my boat that my wife and I pretty much lived on for almost 20 years so last year we did a 30 day rental in March. If you have a proposal I would be happy to hear it. PM me anytime.

Thanks This goes for any other member who would like to speak with me

Buddy

Buddy, sorry to hear about your boat. Irma was a $itch! She ate our villa up to but we have rebuilt.

Will send you a private message.


https://www.hideaway-villa.com/

E-Mail me at tpcook@videoautomation.com what your requirements are including rental costs

You know guys, this has nothing to do with the topic of this thread. I understand that villa owners are hurting for bookings, but TTOL has not received any income since this Corona thing started either. Please take your conversations to PMs. Thanks.

Back to the original topic, please..

this is a link to protocols for restaurants and bars. Lots of hoops so hopefully entry will be easy or easier.

https://files.constantcontact.com/4c5001ec601/1b5eb753-75dd-416c-b2ee-b9213da8529f.pdf

Tomorrow is the day!

https://youtu.be/VQFxmAdyKcg

LOL...well played, George.

Classic movie

They are in Cabinet tonight so tomorrow or Thursday

I'm surprised there isn't anything here about plexiglass on the bars. Most of the bars here have installed plexi to separate the guests from bartenders and taken away the stools. This just mentions plexi at the hostess stand and separating bar stools by 6 feet. Did I miss something?

The meeting last night was a joke, the bar meeting last week was much better and laid out all the information about the plexiglass and what was required, the Enviromental Health did the bar meeting. Last night the Tourist Board did the meeting but didn'tknow the difference between BOH staff and FOH staff , very poor show after waiting 3 weeks for it.

I think there might be an annoucement today as Premier has a meeting on Jost on Thursday

We are hoping for an announcement today. And looking forward to the meeting tomorrow with the Premier!

Bahamas released theirs:

HERE the latest Travel requirements to the Bahamas, effective 01st. November, 2020!

Prior to Travel:
• COVID-19 RT-PCR Test: All persons traveling to The Bahamas must obtain a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR (swab) test taken no more than seven (7) days prior to the date of arrival. The name and address of the lab, where the test was performed, must be clearly displayed on the test result.
o Children ten (10) and under and pilots and crew of commercial airlines, who remain overnight in The Bahamas, are exempt from obtaining the RT-PCR test.
• Bahamas Health Travel Visa: Once in possession of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test, all travelers will then be required to apply for a Bahamas Health Travel Visa at travel.gov.bs (click on the International Tab) where the required test must be uploaded.
The cost of the visa will depend on the length of stay. (approximately $65 which will cover processing fees, both Rapid Antigen Tests and a travel interruption insurance) You only have to pay for what you will require.
Upon Arrival
• Day of Arrival (Day One): Rapid Test – All persons entering The Bahamas, at an approved Port of Entry, will receive a Rapid COVID-19 antigen test.
If arriving by air, an approved Port of Entry will be: Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, Georgetown (Exuma), Bimini (and Cat Cay) and San Andros (Andros). (AND, Long Island was just added to this list)
If arriving by sea, an approved Port of Entry will be: Nassau (Atlantis, Bay Street Marina, Lyford Cay, Albany and Nassau Yacht Haven); Grand Bahama (West End – Old Bahama Bay and Freeport – Lucaya); Abaco (Marsh Harbour Government Dock); Eleuthera (Spanish Wells Marina); Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club); Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club); Exuma (Georgetown Government Dock).
American Airlines has indicated that, beginning in late October, they wish to provide each passenger traveling to The Bahamas from Miami with a Rapid COVID-19 antigen test before boarding the plane. These passengers, along with the passengers of any other airlines wishing to provide a similar service, will not be required to complete the Rapid Test upon arrival in The Bahamas.
After Arrival
• Day Five (96 hours after arrival): Rapid Test – All persons who entered The Bahamas, and who are staying longer than four nights and five days, will be required to take a second Rapid COVID-19 antigen test. To be clear, all visitors departing on Day Five will not be required to obtain this test.
The cost of the rapid tests on and after arrival will be included in the cost of the visa.
The rapid tests are easy, quick and will yield results in 20 minutes or less with results being provided electronically.
Many hotel properties will provide relevant information on testing arrangements, while others will facilitate the required rapid test for their guests.
All persons on yachts and other pleasure craft will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website.
All other visitors, returning residents and citizens will be able to make arrangements for their required rapid tests at the port of entry or via the relevant website.
The On Island Experience:
All islands in The Bahamas require the wearing of masks and appropriate social distancing in public places.
The Bahamas has remained diligent in its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 throughout the islands, and these measures are imperative to ensure that remains the case. The health and well being of both residents and visitors remain the number one priority of our public health officials. It is important to note, however, that due to fluidity of the COVID-19 situation, both in The Bahamas and worldwide, protocols are subject to change.

I feel like these are reasonable - I like the fact that the “follow up” test is included in the original cost for the visa - spending $$$ on 3 separate tests would be a bummer.

I am also going to investigate whether or not American Airlines will be testing prior to our 12/3 flight to Puerto Rico.

Fingers crossed for NO QUARANTINE!!!

The premier said Thursday of NEXT week, and tomorrow is the final "consultation", so I wonder if the announcement is planned for the 29th.

As to the Bahamas, sounds fine, except for not testing kids under ten. Nurseries and primary schools are germ factories. Seems like excluding them could be a risk.

The 29th??!! I'm sure that I'm not the only one that needs to make some decisions before then as we have a 12/3 arrival date....... Like Winterstale, fingers crossed for no quarantine, which would likely make this impossible for us, as well as info about testing locations if a test on day 5 is required - hoping to avoid a return to the docks.

RatmansWife--Most countries have an exclusion of testing for children under 10. I think it is a throwback to when authorities thought they were somewhat immune from the virus, which is absolutely false. While their chance of morbidity is extremely low, they are definitely NOT immune. That policy should change, especially since it is known that a fair number of people (of all ages) are asymptomatic.

Peter - are they really saying NEXT Thursday??? This is really getting ridiculous if so....

I do not mind going to a dock to get tested if it means I don’t have to quarantine. I will trade a dock visit for that in a heartbeat.

The theory on children is that if they have it the parents would more than likely test positive also. There is a slim chance that they caught it and not enough time has passed for the parents to be infected but I think it’s a risk countries are welling to take. The test is very unpleasant and would not be fun to try and administer to children.

I think it's a stupid risk, regardless of the type of test involved.

The statement was made on a ZBVI interview on Thursday, 15 October so I'm fairly certain he intended the announcement would be today or tomorrow. Keep in mind, those protocols when announced will likely only be for the airport.

Here is a link to an article with the full quote from the Honorable Premier.

Thanks, Jason — that is indeed a relief!

We booked Intercaribbean into Beef on 12/3 - fingers crossed!!!

As you know, things change here. That was the original intention, but today is a new day!

If you want a break, check out our webcam and watch the surfers on Cannon Point today....

Good idea!!!

I zoomed the camera in to the point for the day...

Click Sunset Cam on Coconut Breeze Villas.