TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands BVI News - Air entry protocols next Thursday?

Actually 5 tests in all if you include the 1 taken before you leave home. I think there is too many steps, conditions and limitations to make this attractive to tourists. Most all will find somewhere else to go. Imagine, only on day 8 (assuming they have your PCR tests back the same day) do you get complete freedom.

He didn't talk about the new protocols for those with property or work permits. There the quarantine was to drop to 7 days from 14, the $3500 guard was to be replaced with a geofencing system. There was no elaboration on that. Is testing required, what geofencing app, etc. Anyway, I will be travelling as a property owner and I think there are more manageable conditions attached to that ...although I am not certain of them all.

THE END!

BVI Tourism is done for 2021

Opted for MNF, because I knew I could depend on all of you! Did he say where the quarantine would be or what it would cost? Did he specify cost of testing?

No to all of those (very appropriate) questions.

I don't plan on going down until all this is over, and I don't own any property or a boat anymore, so I don’t have a personal horse in the race. My main concerns at this point are the health and financial well-being of BVIslanders. It's a devil's bargain between the two. I also feel for everyone who can't enjoy or benefit from their homes & houses. I know I would be going through a lot of turmoil if I had property/investment/travel costs at stake.

All that said, I will not be surprised if the government has to make more changes between now & December in response to the ever-worsening case counts in the US, Europe and even Canada.

Government has certainly been confusing in the announcements so far, but I don’t envy anyone who’s trying to thread this needle while having no control over how visitors’ countries (or states or towns) of origin are dealing with the pandemic.

The End. 2020 season is toast. Only tourists who can afford a 2 week or more vacation would even consider it. I will sail someplace else.

I agree Tom. I can wait until this is over or being dealt with better to go down. I am most concerned with my friends on Anegada surviving potentially a year without income.

I can only do 7 days at a time. These protocols make it impossible for me. I am so ready for 2020 to be over.

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/sta...ce-phase-one-re-opening-tourist-industry

Here is the premier's announcement in writing.

I had some hopes for a vaccine and perhaps the BVI opening in the spring. Your post seemed to affirm that however after talking with a friend involved in the process he felt the BVI with a lockdown would be far down the virus distribution list. Vaccines would first be distributed to areas with the highest covid rates. Distribution protocols are however still very much in work and nothing is set in stone. The BVI might be a victim of their own success.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02684-9

Just emailed to cancel my Dec charter and 2 guest use charters. That’s a lot of revenue lost to the BVI. We spend on average 4000 for a 1 week charter.
G

Could we test at home 7 days prior to boarding the plane and then again 72 hours prior to boarding?

Do two tests at home to confirm negative? Then another test upon entry to BVI? This could eliminate at least one of the proposed tests in the protocol proposed.

I don't think you really get to negotiate the terms. You can take as many tests at home as you want as long as the last 1 is within 5 days of your arrival.

at least 5 days prior to arrival

In US English that means 5, 6, 7, 8 , 9, 10, etc days before travel. That makes no sense to have someone take a test that far before travel as they have a higher chance of being infected before arrival.

I was assuming he meant within 5 days or 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 day prior to travel. Am I confused?

Logically, I think you are correct, Jason. Has to mean what you said. Otherwise, someone could take a test 30 days before.

I don't see any mention of the protocol being any different for people that have been vaccinated. Very likely vaccines will start to become available around new year. And imho, very likely many that sail will be in the age bracket that makes them higher risk and thus qualified to be given a vaccine. It's a little odd that it seems the BVI is holding out for a vaccine but at the same time will not give any allowance for it.

In the mean time.... USVI sailing is looking good!

I think if a vaccine DOES become available? It will likely not be distributed beyond those who are high-risk, like my niece who is Type 1.

I moved us to June and will just hope.

In the meantime, I have a land-based trip for St Thomas in January to soothe me.