Our charter is scheduled Mar 10-30. I decided to spend the money on insurance that covers COVID related delay expenses. Scenario that most concerns me is testing positive before heading home and having to get accomodations for 5 days to shelter. The insurance will cover those expenses so long as the COVID test is administered in person at a health facility (home and remote testing would not qualify). Is anybody familiar with any private or govt health facilities offering rapid testing? Any wisdom appreciated.
The BVI Health Services Authority clinics on Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada offer rapid tests for travelers departing. Also, the hospital in Roadtown offers this service as well.
We used MD Link BVI Concierge Testing last Tuesday morning because they come to wherever you are. We were in Trellis and dinghied in to meet the nurse. Expensive ($125 pp), but we didn't want to return to Roadtown a day early. We also had heard (here on TTOL) that the clinic on JVD was not turning around test results in a timely manner. We got our results while we waited on shore and had email confirmations within the hour.
We used MD Link BVI Concierge Testing last Tuesday morning because they come to wherever you are. We were in Trellis and dinghied in to meet the nurse. Expensive ($125 pp), but we didn't want to return to Roadtown a day early. We also had heard (here on TTOL) that the clinic on JVD was not turning around test results in a timely manner. We got our results while we waited on shore and had email confirmations within the hour.
FYI - there is a testing center at the airport now. Details here.
Making sure nothing has changed...no need to fill out a portal just show neg test and vax..and insurance if they ask for it..right? Fill out Hummingbird if outside the three days.I am testing 25th and arriving 28th ( One night in STT)..I think that comes within the three days ..right? As always..thanks!
Your one night in STT is on the 27th then? If so, I would try to test very early on the 26th for both USVI and BVI entry. Upload to the portal immediately after getting results. You should have your green code by that night. Alternately you could test for USVI entry on the 25th and then test at your hotel in STT for BVI entry but that feels a bit risky too. You should try to avoid getting tested in the BVI if possible.
No to BVI portal assuming vaccinated...no BVI hummingbird
Yes to USVI portal
BVI rules
When entering the Virgin Islands a Fully Vaccinated Traveller must provide:
· Results of a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than five (5) days;
· proof of vaccination (card or otherwise); approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)
· travel insurance (visitors) which includes minimum approved coverage for:
o COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalisation, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
o medical repatriation
o quarantine accommodation costs
· does not have to apply to enter on the BVI Gateway Portal.
· must have received the second dose of the prescribed COVID-19 vaccine no less than two (2) weeks before entry to the Virgin Islands to be considered fully vaccinated
· are not required to retest upon arrival into the Territory once you present a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS COV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48-hours before arrival. Failure to present the results for any reasons such as delays and overnight layovers will be required to undertake a SARS COV-2 test on the day of arrival into the Territory.
Second testing on the 26th. That will get you into USVI on the 27th and the BVI on the 28th.
The problem with re-testing on arrival is what if you pick up Covid along the way? Now they will put you in quarantine until they get around to re-testing and releasing you, which has been delayed lately. Hopefully they would let you quarantine at home. Better to avoid re-testing altogether.
Second testing on the 26th. That will get you into USVI on the 27th and the BVI on the 28th.
The problem with re-testing on arrival is what if you pick up Covid along the way? Now they will put you in quarantine until they get around to re-testing and releasing you, which has been delayed lately. Hopefully they would let you quarantine at home. Better to avoid re-testing altogether.
Totally agree...I got Covid 3 days before I tested positive and it was 2 days before I had any symptoms. Strongly recommend avoid the tests down there either way...Binax is the key. We had an inconclusive Binax so just took another.
I am stuck with25th for my test for a couple of reasons..guess I'll take my chances..dont fancy retesting in Stt.
Get a couple more eMed tests and test on the 26th. It will fullfill both the USVI and BVI requirement. Use the kits you already have on 1/26 to get here. I always have few spares.
Jason, the challenge is that it doesn't provide coverage for insurance (which seems idiotic...but a good provision to research).
Guess you proctor test once or twice (for a negative or to validate a potential false positive), and if positive, get another in person test for insurance?
One thing the BVIs should DEFINITELY do is have more info online about on-island positives...info is severely lacking on the public websites (at least from what I can see). Maybe I'm just dumb though ;0
One thing the BVIs should DEFINITELY do is have more info online about on-island positives...info is severely lacking on the public websites (at least from what I can see). Maybe I'm just dumb though ;0
What are you looking for? They publish the positive case count by island/vessel along with vaccination statistics, and hospitalization numbers.
Jason, what would be helpful (on the public websites) is the the process if you test positive once you are on island. Maybe its just me, but I had to piece it together with FB and TTOL data.
We used MD Link BVI Concierge Testing last Tuesday morning because they come to wherever you are. We were in Trellis and dinghied in to meet the nurse. Expensive ($125 pp), but we didn't want to return to Roadtown a day early. We also had heard (here on TTOL) that the clinic on JVD was not turning around test results in a timely manner. We got our results while we waited on shore and had email confirmations within the hour.
FYI - there is a testing center at the airport now. Details here.
Jason, thanks so much for the update on the airport test center. That's very helpful. If it operates as advertised, that's not very inconvenient and it meets our insurance requirements. Really appreciate all the info you provide in these forums.
The insurance will cover those expenses so long as the COVID test is administered in person at a health facility (home and remote testing would not qualify). Is anybody familiar with any private or govt health facilities offering rapid testing? Any wisdom appreciated.
I would do proctored tests and if all negative, travel home.'
If proctored test positive, THEN get test that confirms positive so that insurance requirement is met.
Jason, I am, as well, very appreciative of all the info you pass along. The info provided by you, as well as other members, is the only reason I feel safe coming to the BVIs next month
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