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Ah....the roosters....LOL....love it....miss it


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Originally Posted by Winterstale
Ah....the roosters....LOL....love it....miss it

LOL. I forgot I had the microphone on. Hope nobody hears me yelling at the transient goats or the contractor...


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Oh no! I love it that I can hear the island!!!


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Our contractors are more transient than our goats.

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Originally Posted by RatmansWife
Our contractors are more transient than our goats.

Haha. Mine too!


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wow...that is such a beautiful view...thanks for leaving the sound on

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So no news?

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Come back another day.

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Originally Posted by ecm56
Come back another day.

No, we’re giving up on coming back.

I Just booked a Mexico upscale all adult, all inclusive, for a December trip.
Mexico is open. Small AI means low risk.

Tired of putting up with tyrannical idiots!

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284 Media is live-streaming the meeting from Jost Van Dyke.
Expect typical island connectivity.

I missed it but someone who was watching said the Premier indicated the announcement would be delayed until Monday.

Last edited by ecm56; 10/22/2020 10:45 AM.
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Announcement moved to Monday.

I'm sure some protocols will leak out during the JVD meeting. Live feed here.


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Really disappointed. Listening to this, my thought is they will likely push the announcement out even farther - I don't think they are ready.

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Originally Posted by MIDiver
Really disappointed. Listening to this, my thought is they will likely push the announcement out even farther - I don't think they are ready.

I was told by a relatively reliable source yesterday that the protocols were approved this week.


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If that is so, I wish they would release them.

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Ports to open December 8th.

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Ports top to open Dec 8th?? Does that mean ferries (ferry) will run? Love to hear any word on this ..thanks..

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Originally Posted by Manpot
Ports top to open Dec 8th?? Does that mean ferries (ferry) will run? Love to hear any word on this ..thanks..

I'm sure that's what it means. The ports are already open for cargo.


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Very good news if that's true..thanks J..hoping to see you in Dec!

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No more detail on that until Monday. My take was they meant for passengers. They also added that all the ports (of entry?) would open at the same time. More detail Monday.

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I watched some of the livestream meeting on JVD.
Premier said (paraphrased): All ports will open, but did not give a date. Also, would not answer if BVIs would require a negative test like the USVIs, nor would confirm quarantine timeframe. Will not make a decision to put people at risk for the sake of the dollar. Kept referring to the speech on Monday and asked to keep in mind that Covid is fluid and if they have to make adjustments after announcing the protocols they will. Travel between JVD and St. Thomas will have protocols, so cannot just go "get some KFC can come back". smile
Health Minister said (paraphrased): The things that have made us safe cannot be thrown away. We have looked at every rapid test in terms of safety and they have failed, not always accurate. Other tests that could be used are still to be confirmed. To release someone immediately upon arrival is risky. Burmuda has 4 day quarantine. Look at the Bahamas - they had to shut down again and cabinet members are quarantining. We're taking all of this into consideration to see where other countries that have opened up had a spike. We have to be mindful and be safe and keep health aspects in the full view.

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Originally Posted by KfromSD
I watched some of the livestream meeting on JVD.
Premier said (paraphrased): All ports will open, but did not give a date. Also, would not answer if BVIs would require a negative test like the USVIs, nor would confirm quarantine timeframe. Will not make a decision to put people at risk for the sake of the dollar. Kept referring to the speech on Monday and asked to keep in mind that Covid is fluid and if they have to make adjustments after announcing the protocols they will. Travel between JVD and St. Thomas will have protocols, so cannot just go "get some KFC can come back". smile
Health Minister said (paraphrased): The things that have made us safe cannot be thrown away. We have looked at every rapid test in terms of safety and they have failed, not always accurate. Other tests that could be used are still to be confirmed. To release someone immediately upon arrival is risky. Burmuda has 4 day quarantine. Look at the Bahamas - they had to shut down again and cabinet members are quarantining. We're taking all of this into consideration to see where other countries that have opened up had a spike. We have to be mindful and be safe and keep health aspects in the full view.

They said several times the seaports will open on Dec. 8.


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ecm56 Offline OP
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I also heard December 8th for the seaports.

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Obviously all rumors until the speech on "Monday" but a few other things I heard:

- Sister Island testing sites to be: Anegada(1), JVD(1), VG(1), Tortola(3-4).

- No Olde Years celebration

- Actually more than 8 ventilators on Tortola

- All seaports will open at the same time; planned for December 8


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For everyone who is scared of the nasal exam or lives in an area that testing locations are scarce or slow, Costco has a home PCR option. 24-72 hour reporting once the package is received. For most places requiring a 5 day test, this should be sufficient if you're near a UPS location.

Test Kit


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The nasal swab was easy.

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Originally Posted by knitsoftwear
The nasal swab was easy.

I only mention because some TTOL members seem to be planning around the pain and suffering of the nasal swab. Here's an option if necessary. Seems pretty easy and I might order a couple down here and just overnight them back if I need to travel for an emergency!


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I had one nasal swab that was easy. The second one not so much!!

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I'm not sure a home test kit will be accepted. How can anyone be sure that the sample came from the named person?


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Have a uterine biopsy and get back to me ;-)

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The home kit that Costco is selling is available with a $10 option where the company will monitor, via computer video, while you take the test and seal the package. Presumably that provides a reasonable (but not 100% foolproof) chain of custody.

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The nasal swab test is easy...is it uncomfortable? Sure - for about two seconds.

I’ve had worse boat bites after too many of Leon’s painkillers LOL


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They need to combine to COVID test with the welcome rum punch. Take a quick swig of the rum punch and then let them swab away! Then chase it with another swig. Problem solved.

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We'll be experts at the nasal swab by the time we get back to the VIs from Grenada. We managed an itinerary with only 3 COVID tests for the two of us! Only $732 US for the two of us. The four day sail straight through may happen, but I'd like to see a couple of islands. The CARICOM travel bubble lets us visit St. Lucia, Dominica, and Antigua. Sint Maarten does not require COVID test if you are from the bubble; we'll get a COVID test for USVI re-entry in Sint Maarten.

Of course, the protocols could change at any time. Plan B is to sail back direct.

Cheers, RickG

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$732 for 6 tests total is reasonable. I have heard rumors they will be $250 each in the BVI - ridiculous.


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The BVI Health Services Authority responded to me when I asked the cost of testing from travel (from the BVI) - they said $135.

Their advertising poster indicated an appointment (by telephone call) was necessary 7 days prior and that the results could take 48 to 72 hours.

That's all I have seen in writing so far.

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Its always been $135 for people wanting the test to leave the territory.

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....should be interesting to see if the price will be different for anyone trying to ENTER....


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Do you think they might try to profit from visiting tourists?

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Who knows?


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The government seems to believe people are happy to pay anything to be there. A private clinic here charges $50 for a walk-in test with results in 23-48 hours. So there must be plenty of profit at $135. I think I read NHI, which is in financial trouble, doesn't pay, so maybe that's the explanation.

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