Virgin Islands Corona Response
Cases overview in the Virgin Islands
|
To learn more about the situation in the Virgin Islands, simply refer to the following sections:
- Virgin Islands ferry services news
- USVI Coronavirus news
- British Virgin Islands coronavirus response
- Entering the BVI by ferry
- What can we do to help the Virgin Islands?
BREAKING NEWS: Fully vaccinated visitors are able to forgo the mandatory 7 days quarantine still required for arriving passengers in the British Virgin Islands if they:
-
Provide proof of full vaccination
-
Provide proof of a negative PCR test within 5 days before travel
-
Complete their BVI gateway application (see further details below
- Be tested for COVID-19 on the day of arrival.
Note: Face Masks and adherence to social distancing is still required when on board the ferries and any public indoor spaces throughout the BVI
Virgin Islands ferry services news:
Ferries are an essential part of day to day travel for people and goods throughout the USVI and BVI, however some ferry services are currently restricted to Domestic use only until further notice. No ferry services from the BVI to the islands from the USVI are operating. Ferry operations between the BVI and the USVI resumed on 15 April 2021.
- Inter Island boat services - Services from St. Thomas to St. John are running daily.
- Native Son Ferry - Running a 2x weekly service from St. Thomas to St. Croix. Limited schedule between St. Thomas and Tortola
- Sensation Ferries - Daily services between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
- Smith’s Tortola Fast Ferry - Limited schedule between Tortola and St. Thomas
- Speedy’s Ferry Services - Daily services between Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
Entering the BVI by ferry
(Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Beef Island and Jost Van Dyke)
A daily curfew is in place between the hours of 7:00pm and 5:00am.
- You will be required to submit documents to obtain an entry approval through this online portal. The authorization cost $175 per person.
- A certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test is mandatory for all travelers over five years old. The test should be done within 5 days prior to arrival.
- You will be required to undergo a RT-PCR test upon arrival to the BVI.
- Quarantine for 7 days in an approved property.
- You will be required to undergo one more PCR test on day 7 of quarantine. A negative test result will then allow full movement within the Territory.
Requirements for vaccinated visitors:
- You will be required to submit documents to obtain an entry approval through this online portal. The authorization cost $35 per person.
- A certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test is mandatory for all travelers over five years old. The test should be done within 5 days prior to arrival.
- You will need a proof of your vaccination status
- You will be subject to a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival at a cost of $50.
- If your unvaccinated child (5-17) is travelling with you he/she will be subject to testing on day four as well.
Requirements for partially vaccinated visitors:
- You will be required to submit documents to obtain an entry approval through this online portal. The authorization cost $175 per person.
- A certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test is mandatory for all travelers over five years old. The test should be done within 5 days prior to arrival.
- You will need a proof of your vaccination status
- You will be required to undergo a RT-PCR test or Antigen test upon arrival to the BVI.
- Quarantine for 4 days in an approved property.
- You will be required to undergo one more PCR test on day 4 of quarantine. A negative test result will then allow full movement within the Territory.
All travelers arriving in the BVI are required to pay the cost of their ground transportation during quarantine. Expect to pay between $5 and $30 per person, depending on the destination and the number of passengers. You will need to pay the driver in cash.
From Saturday, 24th April, 2021, all passengers that depend on the established marine transportation from Tortola to other islands in the BVI, will have to cover the costs of marine transportation.
Warning: All persons permitted to travel from India and Brazil will be required to quarantine in an approved location for a period of 14 days. A test will be required on arrival, day 7 and day 14 and if all are negative you will be allowed full movement within the Territory.
All businesses are now allowed to operate. Beaches are open. Gatherings are restricted to 200 people.
USVI Coronavirus news
(St Thomas, St Croix and St John)
- Non-essential businesses open
- Bars and night clubs are now open under certain restrictions. Bars may operate for seated service only. Allocated seating is limited to no more than six persons around the table. No distribution of alcohol is permitted after 11 PM. Masks are required. Live music and DJ entertainment is allowed but should not be permitted after midnight.
- Indoor/Outdoor recreation facilities are open, but no food or drink
- Facial coverings are required in all commercial entities
- Social distancing of at least 6 feet between people not residing in the same household remains in place
- Thermal scanners are installed at the airports, and other measures are in place to track visitors and their health
- All beaches in the Territory have been reopened, but social distancing is still required. Beaches close at 5pm on weekends and holidays.
- Taxis, safari buses and limos are limited to 50% capacity (unless if passengers are part of the same family/group).
- Tours, attractions and activities are operating with social distancing and facial covering restrictions
- Restaurants may offer dine-in service, with the following restrictions: no alcohol may be sold after 11pm, patrons must wear masks at all times when not eating or drinking, and establishment must close by midnight. They can seat up to 75% of their seating capacity.
Travel requirements:
- A COVID-19 test . This can be:
- A COVID-19 molecular (e.g., RT-PCR, viral or nucleic acid amplification) test from a nasal or throat or saliva swab sample taken and NEGATIVE result received (both within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory)
- A COVID-19 antigen (rapid) test from a nasal or throat swab sample taken and NEGATIVE result received (both within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory).
-A COVID-19 antibody (rapid) finger stick or blood draw test taken and POSITIVE result received (both within four months of commencement of travel to the Territory).
For molecular and antigen tests, the five-day window is related to both taking the test and receiving results; tests taken or results received outside the five-day window do not meet the requirements.
- Passengers traveling from the BVI to the USVI must provide either a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of travrl, or a positive antibody test result taken within 4 months (marine) or 3 months (air) of travel.
- No Covid-19 test result is required to travel to and return to the U.S. mainland (unless the state you are traveling to has specific requirements).
- Travellers who originate from the USVI and return to the Territory, must take a test before returning or have proof of a antibody test result within the previous 4 months. A covid test (molecular or Antigen) taken in the USVI is unacceptable for travel from the U.S. Main land.
- All visitors and residents alike (including anyone in-transit), aged 5 and older, must upload their information and test results prior to arrival in the Territory: usvitravelportal.com. Travelers should receive a response from the Travel Screening Portal within 48 hours of submission.
- All visitors must present their travel clearance (digital or printed) and their test result to the screening agent when boarding.
- Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.
- Upon exiting the aircraft or vessel arrival, all passengers will have their temperature taken.
- All arriving passengers must wear a face mask. Violators of the masking order will be subject to a $50 fine for the first offense and $100 fine for each additional offense.
For more information, you can check the U.S. Virgin Islands Travel Advisory.
What can we do to help the Virgin Islands?
The Virgin Island’s tourism industry is in danger, the islands are suffering from an immense economic downturn, putting many people out of work and under incredible strain. A way to help the locals is to consider rescheduling your travel plans instead of cancelling bookings and asking for refunds.
When it’s safe to travel again, and if you can permit it, explore more of the region than you may have previously considered. St Thomas, St John, St Croix, Virgin Gorda, Tortola, Beef Island and Jost Van Dyke are all within easy reach of each other and offer something unique and worth experiencing. You can learn more about the region to help plan your trip on our dedicated BVI Travel Guide and USVI Travel Guide pages.
Contact information
If you had a fast boat booking for travel in the next few months or for other destination-related questions, feel free to contact us directly if you wish to reschedule your trip. We also invite you to consult our Terms and Conditions if you have any questions regarding a cancellation.