TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Positive Developments for PCR Testing and Travel in the BVI

Ahoy Captains,

A BVI news source reports, 5.7.20, that the BVI Gov/Health Dept is now open to the public for PCR Testing for Covid 19.
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31776
With the hope that travel back into the BVI for those of us with Work Permits and of course for Tourism in general may open up soon, on 1.7.20 I checked in person with the BVI Gov Health Dept office, then BVI Gov Public Health Office, then the Hospital, then the RoadTown Clinic, regarding PCR testing for Covid 19.
The consensus was for anyone travelling that the process was 1. Contact the BVI Gov Health Dept more than 10 Days prior to your travel in writing (this may be covidrrt@outlook.com) with the details of your travel plans. 2. You will be notified Where and When to be tested (this may be at the RoadTown Clinic in the Old Hospital). 3. Pay the fee (maybe $55) and be tested. 4. You will be notified ASAP.
I am guessing the testing is facilitated by the equipment sourced from the UK on 25.5.20.
https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/lab-receives-new-equipment-enhance-covid-19-testing
That this testing is now available to the general pubic may contribute to the re-opening of the BVI to Travel and Tourism.
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31750
https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31737
After the failure of the Quarantine options.
http://www.virginislandsnewsonline....halt-covid-19-self-quarantine-hon-malone

This sets up the BVI, and sailing on a Yacht in the BVI, as one of the Safest places in the world.
This also enables those Tourists with an extended vacation to be re-Tested to avoid any subsequent quarantines.
With the proliferation of PCR Testing in the Home Countries of all our Valued Guests prior to their arrival in the BVI, the BVI will soon offer to Anyone, with Zero Covid19 infections in the BVI and PCR screening of Every Individual prior to entering the BVI, the Safety and Security of enjoying a Vacation with ‘No Shirt, No Shoes, No Mask … No Problems’ on a Yacht in the BVI, with the knowledge that all the other crew are also Safe and Virus Free.
No Politics, so I respect that the BVI Gov continues to React to the Covid 19 crisis based on the Medical Circumstances, rather than based on a Financial-Socio-Political Calendar.
Yes, other countries have different “Plans” based on Economics or Elections or other criteria, and there are other options in the Caribbean and Internationally that are encouraging travel without Testing, but considering some of the Medical Developments overseas !!!
Sorry, this a mix of BVI Gov and Local News posts, so the info may be incomplete or outdated. I hope it will change quickly as the Medical situation changes.
With an active “H” season underway, I will leave it up to your Captain to navigate the Safest course for the Crew over the next few months, or better yet next season.

I am looking forward to a Very Healthy ‘20/’21 Yacht Charter Season in every way.
I will personally Upgrade the Cleaning for every Yacht with The Captains Compass for every charter that includes waterproof mattress covers, new pillows, double cleaning of the linens with bleach, bleaching the exterior, a bleach rinse for all the galleyware, and cleaning the entire interior with Hydrogen Peroxide or bleach.
I believe that Commercial Aviation is Now the Cleanest Public Space you will find, certainly cleaner than your neighbourhood food/gas/liquor store.
I understand that none of the conditions I have reported are ‘perfect’, but relatively speaking, I believe that Sailing a Yacht in the BVI will be one of the Safest and Healthiest and therefore Best Vacations that You and your Family and Friends can enjoy for many years.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

I will wait for the Cliff notes version.

I understand the Moorings has offered to help pay for testing machines.

Thank you. Glad to see some “safe” progress. Hoping to be on island November

Encouraging, thanks! Hope to be there in November too.

Thank you for the update see you in January

Great news

All good news and I like the positive spin. Has anyone heard anything regarding a hard and fast date for Work Permit holders to be allowed to return?

you can apply by contacting them directly but you must pay for 2 weeks on lockdown in a government facility

Peter - are you referring to Work Permit holders?

yes

Excellent news! I had no idea. I guess the immigration order expired on 30 June so there's no real restriction to anyone any more. Just the registration and quarantine rules.

Are you guys sure about this? I thought only BVI Belongers were allowed to return right now.

I think it includes normal residents

The immigration order issued on 16 June expired on 30 June and I haven't seen a new one. It was the order that officially halted inbound travel except for Belongers and Permanent residents. So, legally anyone could enter at this time but there are non-legislated restrictions including applying to the government for entry and mandatory quarantine.

Are there many abnormal residents?

MANY!

I'm in that club!

LOL...that is funny

Thanks for this, very helpful. Have you personally heard of any Work Permit holders attempting to return and being allowed/denied?

I have not. I know some people with Permission to Reside status (which is different than Permanent Resident) who have not been allowed back yet. I doubt Work Permit holders will be allowed back anytime soon especially since they have to pay for their quarantine/security costs themselves.

I'm hoping to leave for the heart of hurricane season but if I can't get back as a Work Permit holder, I'll be rethinking it.

We have permission to reside status and are watching and waiting.

Yeah, I'm in a similar boat. Supposed to go home for 2 months starting July 20th and returning September 18th. But I don't know what to do...

Watching and waiting meaning you applied to return and were denied? Or literally just means waiting until they announce directly persons with permission to reside status are allowed to return

Waiting until they anncounce we can return and without paid quarantine. This may turn things upside down we usually leave Tortola early August..but may well be heading down then..or September. It will be intersting to see if the places that normally close then will open..thoughts Jason??

Any chance you know how much paid quarantine is right now for a couple? And do you know if a couple can quarantine together or does it have to be solo

I'm not sure what will stay open. Places around here are VERY quiet. I only saw 2 other tables at Gene's on a Friday night last week. Tramonti, Banana's, Bananakeet, Dove and Quito's seem to have a similar crowd. With staffing cost, I don't see how anyone is making money by opening. Already most places are only open weekends.

I think Quito's closes July 26.

I think they will let a couple quarantine together because we were inspected by the Health Ministry to house returning residents and with 8 villas available, they agreed we could house up to 16 if they were all couples. I think the cost has got to be in the $300-400/day range for a room because they are paying for the room, 2 security guards, and 3 meals/day/person.

Got it. Thanks that is very helpful. Rumor around here is Work Permit holders will be allowed to return August 1st. But who knows that is very much the "coconut telegraph"

Still with quarantine I assume?

Yeah, still with quarantine.

If you guys had to guess on a date, when do you think the BVI government will allow tourists to return with no mandatory quarantine? Aka a policy similar to other Caribbean nations like St. Lucia.

When do you think the economy will get desperate, particularly on the out islands? When will the government have trouble making payroll? My guess is that will determine when the borders open to tourists. I hope things change by November, but we'll see.

I am hoping that with the development of effective treatments (which are on the horizon and predicted to arrive much sooner than a vaccine), the BVI will develop a sense of confidence in reopening their borders and not wait for a vaccine as waiting that long will be disastrous for their economy

Ahoy Captains,

A second news source had reported the availability of PCR Testing for Travel out of the BVI.
https://bvinews.com/bvihsa-providing-pre-travel-covid-19-testing-service-for-a-fee/
As BVI Politicians push for PCR Testing as the basis for Travel and Tourism.
https://bvinews.com/now-is-the-time...facilitate-inter-regional-travel-walwyn/

I Sincerely hope the BVI Gov and Governor, and other governments in the Caribbean and Internationally, are watching the International rise in infections carefully and measuring whether to use a Calendar or Medical Conditions as a barometer for Travel and Tourism.

Good to see the USVI is moving to PCR Testing for some Travellers, at least from some of the Hot Spots up north. I am looking for other sources to confirm this Report.
https://viconsortium.com/vi-coronav...limetree-bay-commits-to-test-all-workers

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

I'll go ahead and guess November 15th for no mandatory quarantine required to enter into the BVI. Try to open everything up just before Christmas.

Hoping for 11/1 as that is my resheduled arrival🤫🤞

I too am hoping for a November trip. If the BVI is open at that time but requires a test and results less than 72 hours before travel my concern is the availability to be able to get test results back that quickly. I am hoping by than that more testing is available for those who need tests for the purpose of travel. Anyone else in the states have this concern ?

Agree bagsarepacked - there is no way to get a reliable test 72 hours before leaving in Toronto, at least currently, while we have few cases here I would love to get down to BVI in November and if testing is required don't know how that would happen.

Same in DC...my son got a test over a week ago and no results yet...

I want to go out as soon as BVI opens to at least use my charter credit before any potential charter company solvency issues but dont think 2020 likely

I'm not sure what the parameters will be for the BVI, but for SXM, the RESULTS have to be received no more than 72 hours before you arrive. You don't have to TAKE and test AND receive the results within 72 hours. So if you know it's going to take 7 days for the test to come back, you take the test 9 days before you have to go, and hopefully the results don't come back too soon!!