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New Entry Rules!
#264169
09/22/2021 07:35 AM
09/22/2021 07:35 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,154 GA/NC
GeorgeC1
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,154
GA/NC
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Beginning October 1, all fully vaccinated travelers to the BVI including cruise ship passengers and crew will no longer have to apply to enter the BVI using the BVI Gateway Entry Portal. Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Andrew Fahie made the announcement late this evening, September 21 during the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme.
“You don’t have to worry about the portal at all if you are fully vaccinated and go through all these tests. You don’t even have to tell us you are coming, you just show up at the port you are leaving from with a negative test [no older than five days], proof of vaccination and you come and when you land you have to pay for the antigen test, right now its $50 per person,” he said.
I sure hope this is true! G
Last edited by GeorgeC1; 09/22/2021 07:39 AM.
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#264202
09/22/2021 11:48 AM
09/22/2021 11:48 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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It's funny, at first I was thinking that this was great news...one less hurdle to jump over but now, I'm thinking it is just going to make me more stressed because I won't know if I've done everything correctly until I arrive. For example, someone posted that they were approved through the portal using the Binax Now eMed test so we were thinking of using that for entry. Also, wondering if we need insurance now. Last time we used our Blue Cross/Shield insurance but this time we are also traveling with friends who will use a different insurance...don't know if it is the right insurance until we get there. See where I am going with this? At least with the portal, I knew I did everything right when I got my approval.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: caribbeangirl13]
#264204
09/22/2021 11:54 AM
09/22/2021 11:54 AM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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It's funny, at first I was thinking that this was great news...one less hurdle to jump over but now, I'm thinking it is just going to make me more stressed because I won't know if I've done everything correctly until I arrive. For example, someone posted that they were approved through the portal using the Binax Now eMed test so we were thinking of using that for entry. Also, wondering if we need insurance now. Last time we used our Blue Cross/Shield insurance but this time we are also traveling with friends who will use a different insurance...don't know if it is the right insurance until we get there. See where I am going with this? At least with the portal, I knew I did everything right when I got my approval. Based on the interview that is being quoted, it sounds like insurance is no longer a requirement for vaccinated travelers. They are trying to simplify the process to 2 simple steps; 1. travel with a negative test result within 5 days of arrival, 2. take a 2nd rapid antigen test ($50) at arrival port. Hopefully we'll see an official release soon instead of a casual comment in a radio interview. If you show up with an eMed test and they don't accept it I don't think it will be an issue. You are demonstrating you tested in good faith and they are retesting you anyway. Don't stress about that. Also, my BinaxNow eMed test was accepted yesterday in the portal and will be inspected on Saturday. I will update if there's an issue.
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: RatmansWife]
#264222
09/22/2021 02:21 PM
09/22/2021 02:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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[quote=RatmansWife]Last time we went to a clinic around the corner and got a PCR test for $50. We will do the same this time. It comes from a large, certified lab which I know is accepted. Why mess around with a self test kit to save a few bucks, but worry about it being accepted?
Because I live in a small mountain town in Colorado and our turn around rate is not great for tests. We have to drive 2 hours to Denver to get a test done that meets all the BVI requirements.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#264229
09/22/2021 03:36 PM
09/22/2021 03:36 PM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886 Louisville, KY
NoelHall
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 886
Louisville, KY
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Have you checked with Walgreens in Avon? Our folks have been using CVS and Walgreens in our home states for rapid antigen tests, and when the results are posted (usually within a few hours) we save a screen shot on our phones and print a hard copy.
Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: NoelHall]
#264247
09/22/2021 08:49 PM
09/22/2021 08:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Yes. They don't do the rapid up here at our Walgreens and the PCR they say (last time I checked) could take anywhere from 3-5 days. I will check again, though. For our last trip we had to go to National Jewish in Denver in order to meet all the criteria.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#264251
09/22/2021 10:45 PM
09/22/2021 10:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 875 Redmond, WA
MrEZgoin
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 875
Redmond, WA
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We have an early November trip planned and are also excited at this news!
M4000 "Lio Kai"
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: GeorgeC1]
#264259
09/23/2021 10:57 AM
09/23/2021 10:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,460 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,460
Finger Lake Region
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So the release said that fully vaccinated cruise ship pax would need to show a negative test no older than 5 days, and take an antigen test as they disembark?
"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
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Re: New Entry Rules!
[Re: BVIAddict]
#264484
09/27/2021 12:13 PM
09/27/2021 12:13 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687 Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 687
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
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Have you tried in Avon? My son gets tested there all the time and we usually get results in hours. The Walgreens in Avon is not a testing site. They are too understaffed. Good news is that Colorado Mountain Medical now has a CLIA approved lab and since the BVI is now accepting rapid antigen testing I can go there.
Sue s/v Ripple Leopard 40
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