This post can be replied to, even though it is pinned at the top. Again, if anyone has a suggestion for additional links to add, please reply with those..
Thanks for posting the latest requirements. My wife and I have a bareboat charter in April, our 16th trip to the BVI.
We have been unable to find a lab which will promise to deliver the PCR test results in our area of Florida in less than 5 to 7 days due to the heavy volume of testing. They all indicated we may get the test results sooner (3 to 5 days), but I can not plan a trip based on MAYBE.
The current requirement of having the test done within 5 days of arriving and having the test results 48 hours before is unrealistic. Many people can not upload the results of their test to the BVI gateway 48 hours ahead of time if they can not get the test done sooner.
I sent an email to the BVI gateway site informing them of the issue but based on historic events, I do not expect to get a favorable response.
We have rescheduled our trip four times and I am now thinking of asking for a refund of chartering in a different area.
Thanks for posting the latest requirements. My wife and I have a bareboat charter in April, our 16th trip to the BVI.
We have been unable to find a lab which will promise to deliver the PCR test results in our area of Florida in less than 5 to 7 days due to the heavy volume of testing. They all indicated we may get the test results sooner (3 to 5 days), but I can not plan a trip based on MAYBE.
The current requirement of having the test done within 5 days of arriving and having the test results 48 hours before is unrealistic. Many people can not upload the results of their test to the BVI gateway 48 hours ahead of time if they can not get the test done sooner.
I sent an email to the BVI gateway site informing them of the issue but based on historic events, I do not expect to get a favorable response.
We have rescheduled our trip four times and I am now thinking of asking for a refund of chartering in a different area.
Hey Fun in the Sun - We didn't have our PCR test results until the day before we were to enter the BVI. And, we got our approval late in the evening before our early morning flight from DC. Based on that experience and reading about others, I don't think the 48 hour rule is enforced. It seems like they are reviewing and approving at the last possible minute.
Jason - I hadn't seen this Covid Consultant option. Looks promising. Do you have guests who have used it? Are they reliable?
Thanks for posting the latest requirements. My wife and I have a bareboat charter in April, our 16th trip to the BVI.
We have been unable to find a lab which will promise to deliver the PCR test results in our area of Florida in less than 5 to 7 days due to the heavy volume of testing. They all indicated we may get the test results sooner (3 to 5 days), but I can not plan a trip based on MAYBE.
The current requirement of having the test done within 5 days of arriving and having the test results 48 hours before is unrealistic. Many people can not upload the results of their test to the BVI gateway 48 hours ahead of time if they can not get the test done sooner.
I sent an email to the BVI gateway site informing them of the issue but based on historic events, I do not expect to get a favorable response.
We have rescheduled our trip four times and I am now thinking of asking for a refund of chartering in a different area.
Soooo sad.
Fun in the Sun: Can you go to a neighboring county? Sarasota's turnaround as of the beginning of the month has been 48 hours. Maybe scour some local boards?
We used Covid Consultants prior to a small family Christmas gathering and were very pleased. They send you the test kits, you overnight them back, and they email you the results within 24 hours of receiving your kits. Here’s a link to their FAQ about pre-travel testing: https://thecovidconsultants.com/faqs/
The cost is $220/person, but if the BVI accepts pooled testing you can do that for up to four people for $400.
Has there been any specific OFFICIAL confirmation that home tests are OK??? People can make mistakes on approval, and approve something that shouldn't be approved. As I said, just asking because I know that SXM does not accept home tests..
They are pricey, unless you have a group of four, then it's not as bad. I viewed it as paying for the guaranteed results timeframe, which they delivered on.
Has anyone else had technical issues with the BVI Gateway website? Some of the dropdown menus do not seems to work (cannot complete and move on from page as a result) and flight options listed do not correspond to what is actually available (showing only outbound Seaborne flight numbers for EIS when asking for inbound). So far emails to the technical support address and messages left at the What's App number go unanswered.
We also canceled our May charter. It's just not worth the hassle and risk of being stuck there. I think the BVI is going to have to figure this out pretty soon or it will lose it's tourism industry for a long time. I suppose they might not care given their financial services business. Sad...
I just saw this and I don't know if it has been posted yet, BVI has introduced new entry requirements. No more 4 day quarantine if you meet the new requirements. Open the link below.
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![[Linked Image]](https://www.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;10730;128/st/20241104/e/sailing+the+USVI+BVI/dt/-2/k/e2d4/event.png)
