BVI Borders Protocol Updated

 March 11th, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization making it the first non-influenza pandemic to affect over 200 countries with more than 10 million cases. A few weeks later the BVI borders closed, along with the rest of the world and life as we knew it was irrevocably changed. 14 months and four days on, things are looking up.

Today – May 15th, 2021 – international travelers who have been fully vaccinated with their second dose administered 14 days prior or more, will be immediately released from quarantine once their arrival test is negative. Although this sadly does not yet apply to anyone traveling via Brazil or India, it is a giant leap in the right direction for the vital increase in tourism in our territory.

BVI Borders Entry Requirements

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone, explained the new requirments at the BVI borders for fully vaccinated travelers. In summation:

• The BVI Gateway Traveler Authorization Certificate fee has been reduced to $105USD
• The following is still required of travelers: Proof of a negative RT-PCR COVID-19 test taken three to five days before arrival, proof of vaccination status, RT-PCR COVID-19 testing upon arrival and quarantine until the return of a negative test result (an anticipated 24 – 36 hours)
• Fully vaccinated persons traveling with unvaccinated children are advised that children aged 5 to 17 will be tested on arrival
• Children will be released from quarantine with their parents or guardians once the test results for the entire group are negative, but must remain within their family bubble; unvaccinated children aged 5 to 17 will be subject to a further test on day four.
• Fully vaccinated travelers may be approved for home quarantine in a residence where all the adult occupants are fully vaccinated, once the traveler, or traveling party, is provided with a separate bedroom(s)
• A concession has been made for fully vaccinated persons who have been present in the British Virgin Islands for more than 14 consecutive days and wish to travel to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, or Puerto Rico for a 24-hour period. These persons will be known as ‘Day Trippers’
• ‘Day Trippers’ are exempt from quarantine and the COVID-19 test upon re-entering the BVI borders, but are required to take a PCR test seven days after returning to the Territory
• To be certified as a ‘Day Tripper’, one needs to apply for re-entry through the Gateway prior to departure from the Virgin Islands and will be subject to the Gateway fee of $70USD
• ‘Day Trippers’ are allowed to travel with children who are under five years of age
• The refusal of a returning ‘Day Tripper’ to undergo Day 7 testing will result in a fixed penalty of $5,000USD or a court penalty of $10,000USD on summary conviction
• The quarantine period for unvaccinated travelers is extended from four days to seven days
• In the case of people traveling in mixed groups, the entire party will be treated as unvaccinated and will also be required to quarantine for seven days
• Those who are only partially vaccinated or whose final vaccination was administered less than two weeks before arriving in the Territory we incur a four-day quarantine period with PCR testing administered on arrival and on day four

Positive News

This positive news comes close on the heels of the reopening the BVI borders by way of the sea ports to international traffic this past April 15th. For an undetermined initial period, one round trip ferry service per day will run between Road Town, Tortola and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. While many were disappointed at the single trip only, it is speculated that the decision stemmed from the territory’s limited COVID-19 testing capabilities which would be easily overwhelmed with more trips. One is better than none, we say!

ONB is Fully Vaccinated

And last but most certainly not least, let it be known that 100% of Oil Nut Bay employees have now had, at the very least, their first vaccination. As the leading resort community in the BVI, Oil Nut Bay takes the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of their homeowners and rental guests extremely seriously. Their entire, first-class team is set not only to serve, but also to protect. See you on the beach!