Following up, it appears that Air Sunshine now has scheduled one flight per day from SJU to VIJ at 2:30 p.m. ($275 one way), but I also called Cape Air, and was told by the agent that it's commencing service on that route starting on December the 17th. A subsequent search of its website indeed shows three flights per day from then forward: 8:43 a.m. ($348); 12:43 p.m. ($348), and 4:16 p.m. ($498). https://book.capeair.com/plnext/CapeAirdx/Override.action#/FPC).
As to the cost, Cape Air is selling its 10 segment TravelPass™ for $2,390, which is a great price per flight (good for a year, segments can be used in either direction, and up to five persons on a group account: https://www.capeair.com/travelpass/index.html).
The intention is that this is for fully vaccinated travelers only but there is the capability to perform rapid tests at the Taddy Bay airport if someone arrives with a test result that is too old by the time they arrive. For the moment, there is no Hummingbird portal for this airport (to enter your information for a rapid test if one is needed).
ecm56, I did indeed notice that there's no Hummingbird portal, and was hoping that eventually, Taddy Bay would be added to this website https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/, or there would be some kind of an announcement that using the Lettsome registration protocol would work for passengers traveling to Taddy Bay.
On pretesting, I'd welcome some guidance as to what is actually being required, because I'm coming to VG on the 13th, but I STILL cannot understand the 48 hour rule, because as written, it seems to make no sense. As your post 269173 in this thread (http://www.traveltalkonline.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/269541/1.html) accurately stated:
"Odd wording. I don't follow the "no later than forty-eight hours before arrival . . ." I would think the intention would be "within 48 hours of arrival" or no "earlier than 48 hours of arrival". I find the wording confusing . . ."
"5A. (1) A person who is fully vaccinated and presents a RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than forty-eight hours before arrival in the Territory and his or her vaccination card in accordance with regulation 5 shall . . . "
I've read the regulation repeatedly, and reviewed this citation, which repeats the "no later than 48 hours before arrival" language (https://bvi.gov.vg/travel-protocols). Maybe I'm overthinking it, but for the life of me, I can't make sense of this regulation as written, and agree with your interpretation of what it was intended to require ("within 48 hours of arrival"). Would love to hear from those who have traveled to the BVI since the 16th.
So far, everyone I have heard from has tested "within 48 hours of arrival" and has not had to have the rapid test so I think our assumption about the meaning is correct.
The Premier made a big point that they would have testing capability at Taddy Bay so, when I didn't see a portal, I asked Honourable Malone (who has been very good about responding) . . .
The 48 hours verbiage actually means 2 days. For example, if you are arriving today you need a test taken Saturday, Sunday, or today. The time doesn't matter.
I'm guessing the flights to VG will stop at EIS for now.
The first commercial (Cape Air) flight arrived yesterday at Taddy Bay since its reopening, and here's an excerpt about the schedule:
"Cape Air will be having three daily flights from San Juan to Virgin Gorda and vice versa. The flights arriving at the Taddy Bay International Airport will be at 10 am, 1:43 pm, and 5;16 pm. There will be departures from Virgin Gorda to San Juan daily at 7:05 am, 11:05 am and 1:58 pm."
Hey Jason - we had a guest fly in yesterday directly to VG. The flight did not stop at EIS - they have testing capabilities at VG airport.
Tpcook - I spoke with AirSunshine. They said they would maybe be starting flights in February. Unsurprisingly they had no further details regarding timing or costs.
Cape Air is the most reliable but flights are EXPENSIVE. Like $400 one way.
As an alternative option Island Birds is doing private charters from STT to VG. $800 for the whole plane. Seats 5.
Hey Jason - we had a guest fly in yesterday directly to VG. The flight did not stop at EIS - they have testing capabilities at VG airport.
Tpcook - I spoke with AirSunshine. They said they would maybe be starting flights in February. Unsurprisingly they had no further details regarding timing or costs.
Cape Air is the most reliable but flights are EXPENSIVE. Like $400 one way.
As an alternative option Island Birds is doing private charters from STT to VG. $800 for the whole plane. Seats 5.
Great news! My comment was from several weeks ago.
There is so much conflicting information everywhere!!! We are flying on Tuesday, Dec 28 from ATL to SJU and on Cape Air to VIJ. I've gotten different responses from Cape Air, our accommodations and reading the CDC website. If we take a PCR 5 days before arrival, will we need to take a Rapid when we arrive on VG? Is that avoided by doing a Rapid on Monday AM (day before departure) in Atlanta?
Ran into many people down there looking for tests as theirs didn’t arrive on time. We had one show inconclusive so had to redo burning a kit.
Other reason is if false positive you could take again. If we do at a clinic or roaming dr down there false positive or any positive is reported and you go to bvi purgatory. Also note it is a days rule and not hours so we took departure tests 5 am yesterday and left bvi noon today for SJU
We brought laptop for webcam…it needs to stay on your test packet for 15 minutes
You also need pdf or printout showing signature and CLIA seal although others reported just showing their Navica app approval
So I just saw on the BVI Abroad site someone in STT stuck as Cape Air won’t accept their Binax proctored test…we used island birds and had no issue with them
I guess at end of day it is the airlines call…maybe someone who has used cape air can chime in
So I just saw on the BVI Abroad site someone in STT stuck as Cape Air won’t accept their Binax proctored test…we used island birds and had no issue with them
I guess at end of day it is the airlines call…maybe someone who has used cape air can chime in
We used Cape Air with the proctored eMed tests. No issue.
Believe that was a reconditioned truck they bought from the States not terribly long ago. But not sure if there has always been an adequate garage for it.
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