Hi Carol. The Premier announced it today on Facebook Live along with the launch of a new marketing campaign called "BVI Love". Believe this is a change away from "Nature's Little Secrets". There was no more details other than the BVI Love Campaign and the borders opening on December 1st
further information is needed as to whether the ferries to/from STT will be operational. NO quarantine as this would be a deal breaker. Probably would require covid free incoming paperwork and probably testing at the airport/ports.
I'm guessing they will start off with no ferries, airport only arrivals. That would make screening and testing much easier. Passenger ferries to the USVI represent too much risk at the current time. Cruise ships are the bigger question.
No discussion on ferry and cruise ship restrictions or upcoming updates mentioned in this release that I see... Anything in other releases?
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
They are not going to get bookings without a detailed plan.
“They”?
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
As said we need much more info than this. We like to fly through St Thomas..tell us about the ferries. Will you have to have a neg Covid test and be tested again when you arrive? Etc etc..Come on guys ..show us some pf that "BVI Love".
We all obviously want more information, but at least this is a step in the right direction! Hopefully the government will provide all of these necessary details sooner rather than later but I am just happy a date has finally been announced
Arrival is one issue, but how about departure? Even if flying, and not using ferries, will need to clear/arrive at STT or SJU. What will they require for those transiting? Could we even hope to get same day tests on Tortola? This could throw a big monkey wrench into things.........
For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.
For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.
Not sure what you are suggesting. You indicate you don't have any confidence that a vaccine will work and you don't want to wear a mask. Yet you are thinking things will be "back to previous normal" in the spring. So I'm curious how you think we're getting back to some level of normal by spring time - what will change by then?
For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.
I suspect masks are a part of airline travel for a very long time. I can assure you, the BVI Government is not letting up on masks anytime soon.
For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.
Not sure what you are suggesting. You indicate you don't have any confidence that a vaccine will work and you don't want to wear a mask. Yet you are thinking things will be "back to previous normal" in the spring. So I'm curious how you think we're getting back to some level of normal by spring time - what will change by then?
I did not say I don't have confidence a vaccine will work. I said I don't believe it will work for everyone. You twisted my words. I also said I "hope" things will be back to normal in the spring. Again, you twisted my words. I am permitted to have hope, correct? Do I believe things will change much by spring? No. But I can certainly hope.
For me the reopening date means nothing. And I know we do not have enough information yet. But for me, wearing a mask for 7-9 hours of airport and flight times is a deal breaker. I am not condemning anyone wanting to wear a mask. That is your choice. I just have a real hard time wearing one. A few minutes here and there, yes. But not hours at a time. As some have said, the vaccine will be the answer. I don't agree with that. We have a vaccine for the flu that only works for a percentage of the population. I am not confident a vaccine for this virus will work for everyone. I hope I am wrong. I am avoiding the political part so Ms. Carol does not have to slap my hand. We have given up on 2020 and hoping things are back to previous normal in the spring.
I suspect masks are a part of airline travel for a very long time. I can assure you, the BVI Government is not letting up on masks anytime soon.
So we have a charter Dec 4th. This is cutting it super close, and clearly we will know more in the coming 6 weeks. Whatever the health requirements are, we will do them. However, it would be super helpful knowing what will be open. It would be amazing if the local businesses in BVI could start a forum like they did after the hurricanes stating who is opening and when.
I am ready to buy tickets to go to my villa early in Dec. However so many questions still are in play. I need to travel with 200 lbs of things for the villa,I want to fly Miami- STT so now I need an inexpensive ferry to/from the BVI. no quarantine for sure so i can go to town to buy things. So many questions, so few answers yet.
So we have a charter Dec 4th. This is cutting it super close, and clearly we will know more in the coming 6 weeks. Whatever the health requirements are, we will do them. However, it would be super helpful knowing what will be open. It would be amazing if the local businesses in BVI could start a forum like they did after the hurricanes stating who is opening and when.
By December 4th, you will have no issues with things being open. Most places are open now including many establishments that normally close in September. The only exceptions I can think of are on JVD and Anegada but by December they will all be open and excited to greet guests!
Thorsten, in my opinion that would be a risky move. There has been no word on restarting passenger ferries to St. Thomas, and if you have to charter a plane to the BVI with that much luggage it will be expensive.
TP- Aeropost is so expensive. If you have to go that route have you thought of having it shipped via ship? After Irma, I shipped a good size generator via Crowley out of Miami to Tortola for about $100.00. ( I shipped it directly to the port via amazon for free.) Other assorted boxes since than were about 50.00 each. Tropical helped me get 2700 lbs / 2 BIG pallets of chicken cages from Canada to Tortola for 800.00.
Ship was the way to go for me. PM me if you want the contact info for who helped me with this.
I have shipped thousands of lbs of materials to the BVI using Source Logistics in Maimi. Also use Aeropost marine which goes by ship. Always looking for a "better way" Have also shipped several 40 ft containers (about 9k per container) Also a couple of suv's
Right now AA does not charge for a flight change , so I can use the "ticket" for another flight. Very low rates right now. Like $136 one way. from Miami. Unless the government allows ferries to/from STT then the opening up will be useless.
As of now, the only entry point is Beef Island, and everyone who has returned (legally) has come through there. They have enough room there to segregate people coming in. I'm guessing they will require a Covid fast test on arrival. Where would they segregate and test everyone coming off a ferry? Maybe if they switched the ferries to the cruise pier. For now, Beef Island it is, and I don't have a problem with that.
Anyone have any thoughts about how to get BACK to STT for our return? We’re staying at Emerald Beach the night before....
There is testing available on Tortola for travel purposes but I think it was around $135. It would work if you were land based on Tortola but if you're chartering you'd have to plan a day on Tortola about 3 days before you leave so the logistics would be tough.
Maybe we need to offer a special TTOL rate for Testing Time here at Coconut Breeze Villas. There are worse places to wait a few days for test results...
I received an E-Mail from Nanny Cay regarding the opening on December 1 hinting that I should reserve a haul-out slot soon with the implication that they would soon be overwhelmed by requests. I'd love to come on Dec 1 but have to admit that I think my chances are better for winning the lottery than traveling to the BVI without problems on that date. And I don't even play the lottery! I am fairly certain that most travelers are going to be as skeptical as I am; there won't be a rush towards the BVI in December until it is certain that any travel plans won't be invalidated shortly before departure or return. Although I can think of worse places to self-quarantine that the Château Relaxeau...
Hi Thorsten - we use Tamarind out of ft lauderdale - they are a less than contairner load shipper - goods delivered on thrusday are in VG by tuesday the following week - we have all our villa purchases of things like stoves sent there and have had a zero loss rate. cheers Brian
I agree with some of you that it would be nice if businesses started a 'who's open' chat; however, please remember that BVI businesses are as in the dark about the 'opening' as you are. we too are unable to answer most of the questions from potential visitors that get lobbed at us.
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