These are among the latest adjustments to the BVI travel protocols which were announced by the Minister of Health Carvin Malone during a recent media statement.

According to the minister, these new adjustments which will also see the BVI accepting rapid antigen tests for the first time, were agreed to by Cabinet during a June 9 meeting.

“Cabinet has decided that fully vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would be required to provide an RT-PCR test or an approved rapid antigen test within five (5) days of arrival and provide satisfactory evidence of being fully vaccinated,” the minister stated.

He added, “Cabinet further decided that fully vaccinated travellers would no longer be subject to PCR testing on arrival (day zero) and resultantly no quarantine time would be required save for that ordered by a Quarantine Officer as a result of their entry screening.”

Day 7 PCR test for vaccinated day trippers no longer required

Malone also said that under the new protocols outgoing vaccinated day trippers will no longer have to take a COVID-19 test seven days after reentry into the territory.

“Persons who now wish to travel to the US Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, or Puerto Rico for any period, as long as they are fully vaccinated, would no longer be required to take a PCR test seven days after returning to the Territory. However, children aged 5 to 17 travelling with their parents on the day trip will be required to take a RT-PCR test 7 days from their travel,” he explained.

Reduced fee at BVI Gateway Portal for fully vaccinated.

The minister also revealed that a decision was made to significantly reduce the BVI Gateway Portal fee for fully vaccinated persons, slashing the existing fee to a third of its total.

“In light of these decisions, Cabinet further decided that the Gateway administrative fee be reduced from $105.00 to no more than $35 for fully vaccinated travellers,” he said.

Partially vaccinated persons and unvaccinated persons will still be required to pay the $175 fee.

No more bi-weekly tests for vaccinated flight and vessel crews

Cabinet also decided that vaccinated flight and vessel crews will no longer be required to conduct bi-weekly screening and testing.

However, these two categories of persons should self-monitor and report any symptoms of COVID-19 and should report if they were in recent exposure to the virus.

4-day quarantine for partially vaccinated

Meanwhile, partially vaccinated persons will still be required to quarantine for a period of four days and will be subject to a day-zero testing of either a PCR test or rapid antigen test.

However, partially vaccinated persons are only allowed to take a PCR Test for entry into the territory, which must be done within five days of arrival.

Unvaccinated persons will still be required to quarantine for the mandatory seven-day period and will need a negative PCR test within five days of entry.