TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands supervised rapid antigen test

does anyone know whether you can also do a supervised rapid antigen test when entering Tortola?

When you arrive on Tortola, you're given a rapid antigen test.

For entering Tortola many have asked the powers that be and were told no. People have also reported arriving with one and having it nevertheless accepted. So the answer appears to be "maybe".

Yes, I know, but the entry requirements say that you also have to do one beforehand

I have asked your question of the folks that run the BVI portal and they have told me they are not accepted.

You are correct that you must present results from a test taken up to 5 days prior to travel and you will be tested (with a rapid test, if fully vaccinated) upon arrival as well.

Stay tuned. The times are likely changing this week.

Rumor is the pre-arrival test will change to 48 hours in advance and the arrival test will be eliminated.

As other's have mentioned, officially, the portal people will say no. The portal is no longer in used for vaccinated travelers and I arrived during the last week of the portal requirement. Had no issue using the proctored eMed.com test. Have talked to guests who arrived since the portal was eliminated and they have also used the eMed.com tests without question.

You need to be prepared to present the actual lab report that comes in your email after the test is finished. It contains the information required:
- Patient name
- Result
- Address of laboratory
- CLIA stamp

I would not try to enter using the results in the eMed app on your phone. It shows the result but not the other information.

OK, great, and thank you very much

Have you heard . . . will they accept a rapid test for the pre-arrival test? Even for unvaccinated, it seems to me this just makes traveling to the BVI more difficult. I know in many states, people are struggling to get tested (and receive the results) within the 5 day window.

Yes, they have been accepting rapid tests for vaccinated travelers for a while now.

Here is the official gazetted version of the new rules. I'm sure something in a more user friendly format will be published soon.

The good news is no more $50 test on arrival or delay getting thru the arrival process.

Odd wording. I don't follow the "no later than forty-eight hours before arrival . . ." I would think the intention would be "within 48 hours of arrival" or no "earlier than 48 hours of arrival". I find the wording confusing . . .

"5A. (1) A person who is fully vaccinated and presents a RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than forty-eight hours before arrival in the Territory and his or her vaccination card in accordance with regulation 5 shall . . . "

New here, although not new to the BVI although first trip since covid and all these changes have me up around the rafters!
So confused!
We leave the day after Christmas-I can't imagine how I will get tested within a 48 hr timeline with the holiday!
Also, just found this...
https://www.bviaacloud.com/covid-19-protocol/bvi-traveller-s-protocols/fully-vaccinated-traveller

Super old information. The gateway hasn't been required for over 6 weeks.

I'm not surprised the testing information is wrong. It was just made official today. The rapid tests usually only take 30 minutes to get results; seems like a fun Christmas Eve activity if it results in you flying to the BVI!

They don't take long but they are hard to find in some areas of the U.S.

Thanks Jason-what I was looking at was the timeline part that reads you would have a health screening in the Welcome center on arrival and then sent on your merry way (for fully vaxxd)?
Was that ever the case when the portal was being mandated?

Agreed- in a rural part of NY I can't find many locations even doing a rapid test now, let alone on Christmas eve.

When the portal was mandated, there was a health screening but it DID include a COVID test.

My mind could be off a little, but I think there was a brief period in June or July that no test was required. It ended quickly when the active cases soared from 20ish to over 1600. There is so much wrong/old information on that page it's crazy.

Where can I find the new one, her

https://bvi.gov.vg/travel-protocols

it is also not up to date

eMed.com will be open on Christmas eve

That's the BInax? They will accept that for entry?

I wish that there was official word that the Binax would be accepted - Henrietta keeps saying "NO" on Facebook posts and I am therefore hesitant to risk it. Would certainly help as I arrive 11/27 and 1/2 and trying to find antigen testing for the day after Thanksgiving is proving difficult let alone New Year's Eve. Sigh.

In this article, the minister explains that any rapid test from an approved WHO manufacturer will be accepted.

Honourable Malone made a statement for the press this afternoon.

Here is the link to the reporting by 284 Media: https://www.284media.com/local/2021...ted-to-local-rapid-test-minister-malone/

This story quotes him as follows:

He added, “In order to be exempt from taking the test on arrival, they would have to take the rapid test from an approved WHO manufacturer within 48-hours and would be allowed to enter and not be subjected to a test on arrival. But if you’re not vaccinated or if you’re partially vaccinated, you’re still subjected to the PCR test and quarantine within the particular period.”

I have been looking since I saw this report and have yet to find a WHO list of approved test manufacturers.

I have asked for further clarification but I fear this may be all we get.

It sounds like, if your test is not accepted, then you will have to pay $50 and be subject to the rapid test at your port of arrival. Perhaps it's worth the risk?

For what it's worth, my group of four were down 11/2 through 11/12, and we used eMed Binax Now tests to get into the BVI, and for re-entry to the US. This was considerably easier than the process we went through in June, whereby we got PCR tests in the US before the trip, and PCR tests from Jost for departure.

My test results were never questioned. As Jason mentions, the CLIA seal that comes on the email from eMed is the key.

Well, I suppose we may test on 11/23 as we planned to get into USVI as we are transiting this trip through STT and then burn one of the eMed on 11/26 and take the gamble OR can we use the eMed to get into USVI from mainland? I am assuming yes if we can use it to enter USVI from BVI?

Can someone tell me if these tests meet the requirements? https://klarity.health/tde-contact/?lang=de

New rules are a negative test within 48 hrs of arrival? Am I reading this wrong or does that severely shorten the window for testing? Part of our group arrives in STT on 11/27 and are spending two nights on STT. We arrive 11/29 and we all meet up for water taxi to Tortola. Does that mean the group coming in early needs to test before leaving the US and again in STT to get into the BVI’s?

Pretty sure it means they will just be tested on arrival and pay the $50 testing fee at the ferry terminal.

We fly from St. Martin to Tortola on Saturday and then take the ferry to Scrub Iland. Then we can do a rapid antigen test in St. Martin on Friday and don't have to do an arrival test, or we don't do anything beforehand and then just do the arrival test. Have I understood that correctly?

I don't think 'don't do anything beforehand' is an option. You won't be able to board the plane/ferry without a test. If your test is outside the 48 hour window, you'll be required to test again at the dock/airport.

ah, o.k. thank you

As Jason has said, we had no issues getting here using the emed test and doing it agin tomorrow for our return.

But a rapid antigen test is enough, right?

The proctored Emed test is a rapid antigen test.

Yes, for vaccinated travelers.

So if you get the wrong test or happen to be just outside the testing window, then you will just be tested when you arrive in the BVI? What would stop any of us from just saying the heck with it, I will get tested when I get there and save myself the hassle before I leave? Are airlines checking for tests? Flying into STT...

"Are airlines checking for tests? Flying into STT..."

Yes. Yes they are.

Delta is not and I don’t believe any airline is checking Covid tests. However, the National Guard is in charge of checking for Covid tests once you land You are suppose to fill out the USVI portal showing your Covid test. If you didn’t file out the portal they just have you fill out a paper version and show your tests results.

We fly Delta from JFK.
I will try to get my test done on Christmas eve in an actual location but will have the Emed test on hand if I can't. Hopefully the emed will in fact, get us in or at least into STT!

But here you can still register for the arrival test:

https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/

What's wrong now?