TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Will this work? Orlando - STT - Virgin Gorda and back

Four adults. We are staying in a villa on Virgin Gorda for 10 days the last week of September. The rules seem so complicated! I think I have it figured out, can you guys please let me know if I have this right, or missing anything?

Fully vaccinated. We travel on Wednesday. Fly Orlando to STT and then private water taxi to Virgin Gorda (Seahorse). The previous Friday before we travel we have an appointment for a PCR test from CVS and should hopefully have the results on time. We will complete the USVI travel portal and the BVI gateway. (Is the USVI portal free? BVI is $35). We will show proof our medical insurance includes international coverage. If that is not accepted by the BVI, we will buy Blue Cross travel insurance. If for any reason the PCR results are not back in time, we will go to Orlando airport the day before travel for an antigen test. We will bring $50 cash per person to pay for the rapid test upon arrival in the BVI.

For the return, we are bringing a 6-pack of the Abbot BinaxNow proctored tests which we will do 48 hours before we return and again complete the UVSI travel portal.

Does this seem reasonable? Thanks for your help!!

USVI is free and seems like you are covered in the USVI part.
BVI I don't know rules enough

[quote=Flagler Paul

For the return, we are bringing a 6-pack of the Abbot BinaxNow proctored tests which we will do 48 hours before we return and again complete
[/quote]

I am interested in your thought process for this. If I understand correctly, this is a Covid PCR Home Collection test. This then requires shipping to a lab and THEN results available 24hrs after receipt. Shipping from Virgin Gorda?

The Abbott Binaxnow test is a proctored rapid antigen test. You don't ship the sample to a lab.

Do you have a link?

There are TWO versions of the BinaxNOW test. The basic one is self test and not supervised. They will not accept that one. The other version utilizes an apt and is supervised through the apt. Be sure to get the one needing the apt.

Check your timing on your PCR test. If you take it on Friday wouldn’t be within the 5-day window as I understand it. I also thought you had to have everything into the portal 24 hours before you start travel or you will be denied.

The day of travel does not count so Friday meets the requirements.

Just double check on using the 6 pack for 4 people. I was planning on doing that for a trip in January. I watched a YouTube about it and it said for every six pack you can only sign up 3 people….I guess there reasoning is that you may need to do it a 2nd time. I would call emed and confirm.

Thank you Marconi!! You are right, they only asked for the names and dob for three people when ordering it. Looks like I need an additional 2-pack.

Where did you order the 6 pack from?

We bought the tests at emed.com. If using this for a return test, looks like you need the app and the test "registered" before you leave the US. emed sent me this note:

"In order to receive a test result, digital lab report and/or health pass after participating in a virtually guided test session with an eMed Certified Guide, an individual must have registered and downloaded the NAVICA™ app while inside the U.S. and its territories and a Binax NOW Home test Kit."

Has anyone used the 6 pack for more than 3 people? We were planning on using this in November for our return to STT but it would only let me put in 3 names (as stated above).

You can use the 6 pack for 6 people if you like. There is no connection between the order information and the account used to take the tests. Each person will create their own account and when the login, the proctor has no idea who ordered them.

To the OP:

1. I would drop the idea of the PCR test. No need to go thru the stress of the timing. Just go to the same CVS and get an antigen test; much quicker and cheaper
2. You may have to pay the $50 test fee when you register on the portal instead of in person. This requirement seems to keep changing.
3. Is Seahorse a BVI company? If not, you may want a backup water taxi because I think only BVI based water taxis can enter currently.
4. Make sure you have a confirmation from your villa before you start the portal because you'll need to upload it. It would be wise to have all names on it if possible. You didn't mention, but I assume they are on the list of Gold Seal Approved accommodations available here.

Thank you Jason. None of the CVS near us have the rapid antigen test available for travelers, but I am going to keep looking, good thought! Seahorse is carrying passengers between Red Hook and Spanish Town/Road Town. I spoke to the owners a couple of days ago to reconfirm after hearing someone else mention the distinction between USVI and BVI based private water taxis. The villa is approved and I have all the details for that, good reminder.

You could also order the home proctored tests from eMed.com and do them yourself from home.

Paul--you might check with Walgreens about a rapid antigen test, but around here in Central Florida, they are not doing them right now either..