STATEMENT BY ACTING PREMIER

DR. THE HONOURABLE NATALIO WHEATLEY

30 September, 2021

Good evening and God's blessings to the people of the Virgin Islands at home and abroad, all our visitors and all prospective visitors.

Let us first acknowledge the grace and mercies of our Almighty Creator who has spared us the ravages of Hurricane Sam. As we are in the peak of the hurricane season, we ask that you remain prepared.

The British Virgin Islands has reached another milestone in our journey of living, working and travelling in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

The pandemic, which started 18-and-a-half months ago, forced us in the Virgin Islands – as in all countries around the world - to implement measures to control the importation of the coronavirus onto our shores, and to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Our main objective was to secure the safety of persons from COVID-19 and to protect our economy from catastrophic damage throughout this period, guided by our health team and international health professionals and science, along with the advice of the public officers and professionals in other areas.

Indeed, the body of knowledge about the virus and the technology to detect and fight the virus grew and evolved, we have gradually adjusted these precautionary measures and protocols to facilitate the managed reopening of our economy and the managed resumption of travel into and out of the Virgin Islands.

The phased reopening of our international borders began in December 2020 for air travel and June 2021 for sea travel, and as the situation changed, we adjusted our measures accordingly, weighing all the information and advice, both from local and international sources, and bearing in mind the prevailing social and economic factors.

This experience has shown us what works and what does not work, and has given us insight into the possibilities of how we can further adjust our protocols to increase visitor arrivals, reduce some of the burdens on residents and visitors wanting to travel into the Virgin Islands, and reinvigorate economic activity – at the same time minimising the risk to residents and visitors.

As such, Cabinet has considered and approved some new protocols for travelers coming into the Territory, which measures will take effect from 1 October, 2021.

I ask that you take careful note of the following, which I will outline below.

If you are a Fully Vaccinated Traveller you do not have to apply to enter on the BVI Gateway Portal. You must have received the second COVID-19 vaccine no less than two (2) weeks before entry to the Virgin Island and the vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization.

If you are a fully vaccinated traveller arriving in the Virgin Islands. You must pre-register for a rapid antigen test via the Hummingbird portal.

West End Ferry Terminal – https://westend.bvi.care/

Road Town Ferry Terminal – https://rtferry.bvi.care/

Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport – https://airport.bvi.care/

When entering the Virgin Islands, each vaccinated traveller must provide results of a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than five (5) days; proof of vaccination (card or otherwise); travel insurance which is required for visitors only includes minimum approved coverage for:

• COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalisation, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
• medical repatriation
• quarantine accommodation costs

Upon arrival, fully vaccinated travellers must take an antigen rapid test upon arrival. If the test results are negative, you will be free to enjoy the Virgin Islands.

Fully vaccinated day trippers visiting the Virgin Islands are to provide upon entry, a rapid antigen test or a RT-PCR negative test result completed between 24 to 48 hours before arrival in the Territory. In addition, day trippers are to furnish the results of the test, which must be negative, and provide valid proof of vaccination (card or otherwise).

Specifically for airline and ferry carriers or operator, establishments are to verify that each vaccinated traveler provide a negative PCR or antigen rapid test no older than five (5) days and show proof of vaccination (card or otherwise).

For fully vaccinated parent/guardian travelling with a minor, Minors 17 years and under do not have to apply to enter on the BVI Gateway Portal. Each minor must present a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than five (5) days. Once the results are negative, the minor accompanied by the vaccinated parent/guardian will be allowed to board the aircraft or vessel. The vaccine must be approved by the World Health Organization.

The following categories of persons will still be required to use the BVI Gateway Portal https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/ :

• partially vaccinated
• unvaccinated
• unaccompanied minors who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated
• any other person not covered by the fully vaccinated portal exemption entry protocols

If you a partially vaccinated traveler, you are required to register and provide the relevant information on the BVI Gateway. Also, you are to obtain the requisite approval from the Environmental Health Division http://bvimonitor.info/homequarantine if the expectation is to quarantine in a private residence, hotel or vessel.

The partially vaccinated traveller must also take a RT-PCR SARS COV-2 test 3 to 5 days prior to arrival. Additionally, for the partially vaccinated traveller, persons are to submit the certified RT-PCR SARS COV-2 negative test result to the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/.

Visitors must provide evidence of travel insurance which includes minimum approved coverage for:

• COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalisation, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
• medical repatriation
• quarantine accommodation costs
• submit vaccination certificate or proof of being partially vaccinated.

Please take note that partially vaccinated travellers will not be allowed to enter the Virgin Islands unless they have been given travel authorisation which is issued once all of the required information is submitted via the BVI Gateway. Persons must present the travel authorisation certificate.

If you are an unvaccinated traveller, you are required to register and provide the relevant information required to travel on the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/.

Unvaccinated persons are required to submit the certified RT-PCR negative test result to the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal 3 to 5 days prior to arrival and provide evidence (visitors) of travel insurance policy which includes minimum approved coverage for:

• COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalisation, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
• medical repatriation

• quarantine accommodation costs

Here are some more important facts that all travellers need to know as well.

Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will not be allowed to enter the Virgin Islands without travel authorisation issued from the BVI Gateway https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/  and this travel authorisaton will be issued via the BVI Gateway.

All travellers entering the Virgin Islands will be subject to temperature checks.

All partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers will receive a RT-PCR test on arrival.

Partially vaccinated persons will quarantine for 4 days and be released after a negative test result.

Unvaccinated will quarantine for 7 days and be released after a negative test result.

All fully vaccinated travellers must be prepared to pay a fee of $50.00 for the rapid antigen SARS COV-2 test result via cash or card at the ports of entry: Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, West End Jetty and Road Town Jetty.

To ensure clarity here regarding the different ports of entry, Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport and Road Town Jetty are accepting vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers. The West End Jetty is only accepting fully vaccinated travellers.

All travellers are to adhere to the relevant COVID-19 enactments and protocols in the Virgin Islands including relevant physical distancing protocols, wearing masks and sanitisation measures.

We will continue to bring you updates as they become available.

I wish to emphasise that safety for all our residents and visitors is our highest priority.

Through these measures, the Virgin Islands can be a very safe place to live and to vacation. To those who will choose to come to the beautiful Virgin Islands to holiday and for short visits, we want your stay to be memorable for the right reasons.

And therefore, it cannot be emphasised enough how important it is for everyone to follow the protocols and other measures that are in effect.

These measures are there for the safety of you and your families and loved ones.

Apart from the entry requirements, the recommended measures include wearing masks, washing hands, sanitising frequently touched surfaces, social distancing and so forth.

Following these measures is important, not just for health and safety, but for ensuring that our economy and our tourism industry are able to remain open for all who depend on it and who partake of it.

As we look forward to welcoming visitors in the upcoming tourist season, I ask us all to remain vigilant, and to do our respective parts in this ongoing battle against COVID-19.

Let me take this opportunity to remind all of us that overcoming COVID-19 requires us to remain vigilant.

I remain steadfast in my belief that by continuing to work together, we can achieve great things.

I thank you and may God continue to bless and protect our Virgin Islands, our people and all our guests.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, we want to ensure that persons understand that quarantine measures for partially vaccinated and unvaccinated persons remain.

Partially vaccinated persons and unvaccinated persons will be PCR tested upon arrival. The unvaccinated will be quarantined for seven days and the partially vaccinated will be quarantined for four days. After receiving a negative result from a PCR test they will be released.

We thank you for listening to this broadcast and my God bless you and may God bless these beautiful Virgin Islands

 

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