TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands AG test

Can anyone tell me if CVS rapid antigen test is sufficient for entry.

Yes. If you are fully vaccinated.

Are you asking about entry to the BVI's or entry to USVI?

I've been asking Dolphin Water taxi all my testing questions and when I asked about using a rapid test to enter the BVI, they said this:

"No. the BVI doesnt take it (some people have snuck in this way, while others have been denied), but the USVI will."

In my communications with Lynette Harrigan she said this in regards to my questions about them accepting Binax Now tests proctored through eMed...

"you should go to a lab or cvs, walgreen etc and get a real one done."

In the October 1 release of new protocols (basically just taking away the fact that you don't have to apply through the Gateway Portal) they say this..


"results of a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than five (5) days"

Maybe they are referring to the Binax Now tests?

Hmmm…. I wonder if a proctored rapid self test would satisfy the incoming requirements? The key word being “proctored”

ugggh. I will mention again that I just used the proctored eMed test to come into the BVI without issue. I have talked to others in person and online that have also used them without issue. I have not talked to anyone that was denied.

However, some people have asked the BVI officials via email and were told any home test (proctored or not proctored) would not be accepted.

I think this falls into the same category as the insurance. There are published rules and then there is reality. On paper, they want everyone to have the 3 categories of insurance but are not going to enforce it. On paper, they want everyone to have a test result from a certain list of labs but are not going to enforce it (even the CVS test is not on the list but is probably the most common test used).

I promise I am not affiliated with eMed.com and this is the last time I'll mention it.

The issue I see is, with the portal system you know in advance if your documentation (test, insurance, etc.) is acceptable. Now, potentially, you don't find out until you are standing in the port of entry (airport, ferry terminal). Not the place you want to be when you find out your vacation is not going to happen.

Just a little vent.

I suspect no one is going to be turned away if they can produce anything resembling insurance.
G

I'm very curious what they HSA would do if you showed up with a negative test result they didn't like as they prepared to test you again anyway.

Jason thank you for all the info! It’s super helpful to hear recent experience. I just got this response back from TMM regarding a home proctored test:

“As long as you’ve an official document/ test result that has the lab name/address and your full name etc. on it and states negative or not detected than you should have no issues.”

This is great news! We’re concerned that our 5 day window includes thanksgiving and might delay test results from an in person test at a drug store etc.

The Rapid Antigen tests given at CVS/Walgreens shouldn't be impacted by the holiday. Those results are determined in the store and returned very quickly. If the store is open for testing, you should still get results that day.

There have been reports of a shortage of rapid test kits but CDC describes it as temporary.

Super helpful info! Thank you all for posting this very current info. We are coming down in early December and these threads have been invaluable.