TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico USVI protocol changes January 3

According to another poster here on the BVI forum, protocol to enter the USVI will change January 3. If this affects you, please make sure you know what the new rules are!

We have some friends who had plans to arrive on Jan. 3rd. from the US. They have a 5 day covid test scheduled but are unable to re-schedule to a 3 day test as the reservations for that are backed up and unavailable. Phone calls to Dept. of Tourism confirmed the 3 day limit. Seems that they are stuck and out of luck. I assume that many people have found themselves in the same situation. Anyone know of a solution to their problem?

Tom - the Optum on line store has the BinaxNow proctored tests available in 2 and 3 packs. I ordered additional tests yesterday as back-up. They shipped today.

Rapid escalation of active cases around us

USVI 12/28 -- 786 cases

Puerto Rico 12/28 -- 78,860

St Martin/Maarten 12/28 -- 2,689

BVI - not reported

We arrive Jan 6 and have our tests scheduled for Jan 2. The USVI portal site is stil, saying 5 day testing. Can anyone please direct me to information to confirm?

The Government House posted on their Facebook page yesterday. It is slide #5.

https://www.facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI/photos/pcb.3152972301613414/3152967258280585

Cheers, RickG

Ugh thanks. Frustrated that they have not updated this on the Tourism or Portal sites.

So does this mean I test Wednesday for a Saturday arrival? I'm flying early morning January 8.....

Winter - I am interpreting this to be test Thursday for Saturday arrival but nothing seems to be very clear right now.

MiDiver - and rapid tests are accepted now, yes? I really prefer the PCR but Thursday cuts it pretty close for Saturday to get results in time to clear.....I figure if I test on Wednesday at noon? It is 72 hours until my departure on Saturday.....but hopefully they'll post that little chart.....so we all can be clear on this.

Winter - yes, USVI accepts rapid antigen. We use Emed proctored Abbott BinaxNow and do them at home (for both USVI and BVI).

Thanks - I thought as much.

Can/t guarantee the accuracy but here you go.
https://newsofstjohn.com/your-travel-testing-questions-answered/

The article says the 1 day limit for international arrivals applies for both air and sea arrivals. That wasn't the case for arrivals by sea before--is it a change or did the article get it wrong? In particular, I'm thinking about arrival from the BVI by ferry or water taxi.

The USVI Travel Portal has been updated with a note about the new 3 day requirements.

The USVI travel portal has now been updated (I just submitted for 1/2 arrival) to include the new guidelines.

Air arrivals from BVI - test within 1 day of travel
Arrival by sea from BVI - test within 3 days of travel

It also states that anyone arriving on January 3 should have test results dated on or after December 31 — so I will be okay testing January 5 for a January 8 arrival….

Be careful when calculating your 'test time'. The 48/72 hour timeline is from when you take the test and the time you are checking into customs. Its not arrival time in the country and make sure you account for weather delays!

Geochand - the USVI portal is now clearly counting days, not hours (unless you pass the midnight mark). It is clearly stated on the portal.

On the VI Travel Portal it now indicates a negative test within 3 days is required to travel to the USVI from the mainland. Does anyone know if it is necessary to have a test to return to the mainland?

No test is currently required to fly from USVI to mainland.

Anyone figured out a solution to the last minute policy change? We were scheduled to arrive 1/6 and scheduled our PCR test for 1/2 to make sure we got the results back in time. Now that USVI changed it from 5 days to 3 days our tests are to be taken 1 day too early and no one in Hampton Roads/Virginia has a testing appointment available until 1/6 unless you show up in critical condition at the ER.

Sailing993 - you can use the proctored EMed tests (Abbot BinaxNow). The Optum store has them available and ships overnight. Order more than you need in case you have a testing issue. FYI - our portal submissions were approved within 24 hours.

Thank you I will check and share-

I have submitted an eMed/BinaxNow order for 1 kit (6 tests but apparently only covers 3 named people) for $188 including overnight shipping. Apparently it is counted as a Rx and must be approved by an eMed doctor before shipping. There is a disclaimer that says due to the holidays/demand everything may be delayed up to 4 days. The irony of it all is so we can get on a bareboat charter for 8 days to be around no one. Fingers crossed, thanks.

Anyone can use the tests - does not need to be the named individuals. Emed approves right away the RX disclaimer is odd, but likely a govt requirement. Hopefully they will get there in time. I ordered three from Optum Wednesday night and they arrived today.

Enjoy your trip!

Update to anyone this may help, we're flying AA and they list eMed,Optum w/ Binax and others as options accepted for flights:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info...ation=DirectURL&title=covid19testing
Thanks

Sailing - have everyone testing set up their own accounts via EMed. Results will be emailed and also sent to the Navica account (associated with the account you set up). We did not download or use the Navica app as we find it easier to do the testing on a laptop than mobile device - you need to tilt the camera, etc. When you receive the results they will be in a password protected PDF. Open and print this PDF as a new PDF on your device. Use this new non password protected PDF to upload to the portal.

We haven’t encountered issues but have heard of a few “inconclusive” tests where the control line did not show up. The results can then not be verified and one person who did not have fluid in their testing vial. I ordered extras to be safe, and in case we needed to retest at any point.

Thanks. I didn't see your response quickly enough and deleted my post because I already ordered extra tests. Not taking chances. Good to know what folks have encountered!

Thank you again, I ordered 3 sets of six tests for the 6 of us as a little more insurance. We have travel insurance but I don't want to use it - just want to sail away on vacation. Thanks again.