COVID-19 Travel Restrictions in the BVI
Welcome back to Sunsail's Marina in Tortola!
See our Operations Update Here concerning yacht certifications in the British Virgin Islands.
Please view BVI's latest travel requirements in response to covid 19 below. Sunsail will continue to monitor these updates to keep our guests informed of these changes.
We would also advise that you contact your airline for the most up-to-date information around entry requirements and re-entry to your home country.
While the BVI are opening their borders for international travelers, certain Policies and Procedures will need to be followed when entering the country, before and during your stay there. Please bookmark this page as travel updates are frequently announced.
Before You Go
Fully Vaccinated Travelers:
Must provide results of a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than 48 hours before arrival.
Does not have to apply to enter on the BVI Gateway Portal.
Must provide evidence that you have received the second dose WHO-approved (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson) Covid-19 vaccine at least two weeks before entry to the Virgin Islands.
Travel Insurance is not required for fully vaccinated guests.
If you are traveling from the US, your health insurance should cover all things covid. Please speak to your health insurance providers to ensure you are covered.
Fully Vaccinated Guest Traveling with Children:
- Minors 17 years and under do not have to apply to enter on the BVI Gateway Portal once traveling with a parent or guardian who is fully vaccinated.
- Unvaccinated travelers over 17 years will still need to fill out the portal.
- Each minor must present a negative PCR test or antigen rapid test no older than 48 hours before arrival.
- Once the results are negative, the minor accompanied by the vaccinated parent/guardian will be allowed to board the aircraft or vessel.
- Minors will be retested on entry even when accompanied with their vaccinated parent or guardian but will be free to leave once they remain with said parent or guardian.
Partially Vaccinated Travelers:
Must register and provide the relevant information on the BVI Gateway
Must 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
- Must take a RT-PCR SARS COV-2 test taken 3 to 5 days prior to arrival
- Must submit the certified RT-PCR SARS COV-2 negative test result to the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/
- Must provide evidence (visitors only) of travel insurance which includes minimum approved coverage for:
*COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalization, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
*Medical repatriation
*Quarantine accommodation costs
- Must submit vaccination certificate or proof of being partially vaccinated
- Must obtain travel authorisation certificate issued upon approval
- Must pay an entry fee of $175
Partially vaccinated travelers will not be allowed to enter the Virgin Islands unless they have been given travel authorization which is issued once all of the required information is submitted via the BVI Gateway. Present the travel authorization certificate.
Unvaccinated Travelers:
- Register and provide the relevant information required to travel on the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal https://bvigateway.bviaa.com/
- Submit the certified RT-PCR negative test result to the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal 3 to 5 days prior to arrival.
- Provide evidence (visitors) of travel insurance policy which includes minimum approved coverage for:
*COVID-19 medical costs including hospitalization, doctor’s visit and prescriptions
*Medical repatriation
*Quarantine accommodation costs
- Obtain travel authorisation certificate issued upon approval
- Pay an entry fee of $175
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTIALLY VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS
- A partially vaccinated or unvaccinated person who tests positive upon arrival will be quarantined for a period of 14 days within the confines of an approved property or vessel or be allowed to leave the Territory if approved for medical repatriation.
- A person quarantined for a period of 14 days will not be released from quarantine unless the person is tested by the relevant authorized officer for COVID-19 on day 14 of the quarantine period and receive negative results.
All Travelers:
- Submit your full guest list in advance of travel to us via the manage my booking link
When You Arrive
Fully Vaccinated Travelers:
- Fully-Vaccinated Travelers will be required to take a rapid antigen test upon arrival if they did not manage to take a test 48 hours prior to arrival in the BVI
- You must pre-register for a rapid antigen test via the Hummingbird Portal. This must be done in advance of your trip and can be completed via the links below. Select the link corresponding to your port of entry:
- Fully vaccinated travelers who were able to take their Covid-19 test no later than 48-hours prior to arrival in the BVI, you will not be required to be tested for Covid upon arrival, or pre-register via the Hummingbird portal. Note: if your travel is delayed and you miss the 48-hour window, you will be tested on arrival.
Partially or Unvaccinated Travelers:
- Will receive an PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival in the BVI
- Must apply for entry via the BVI Gateway Portal as outlined above.
All Travelers:
- Must be prepared to pay a fee for the mandatory testing upon arrival at their port of entry
- If you arrive to Sunsail's marina ahead of your scheduled boarding time, you are free to move about the marina as your results will be given before you leave the airport or ferry terminal
- In the event a traveler tests positive during the Entry Test, they will need to return to the marina and remain in quarantine for up to seven days. Guests in quarantine can remain on their yacht or move to a hotel or villa (at their own expense) until a negative PCR test is obtained.
If entering the BVI via Puerto Rico
- Passengers in transit less than 48 hours are not required to complete the Puerto Rico travel portal
- If you are flying to/from Tortola (EIS) and San Juan (SJU) and are staying in Puerto Rico for more than 48 hours, you must complete a traveller declaration form
- Print out copies of your Travel Documents
- Where possible we recommend allowing 2 hours for connecting flights
- Pre-Book your taxi transfer through Sunsail by calling (800) 334-2435 Note: it may be advisable to complete your Covid test 4 days out rather than 5, so should a flight cancellation cause you to stay overnight in San Juan, your test result will not expire. If it does, testing is available at the airport.
If entering the BVI via St. Thomas
- Every traveler aged five or older entering the U.S. Virgin Islands must complete the USVI Travel Screening Portal and submit a negative Covid-19 test within 24-hours of arrival (in addition to the BVI Gateway for partially and unvaccinated travellers). Visit www.usviupdate.com
- Due to Covid-19, ferry capacities have been reduced, and there are 3 ferries per day in operation between the USVI and BVI. Be sure to pre-book your ferry tickets. Visit www.bviports.org/covid-19 for the latest ferry schedule and Book Here: Smith’s, Native Son, Road Town Fact Ferry
- All vaccinated travelers travelling home through St. Thomas will need to provide a negative Antigen or PCR test within 24-hours of arriving in St. Thomas from the BVI
- Pre-Book your taxi transfer through Sunsail by calling (800) 334-2435
During your Charter
- Restaurants and bars are open with a maximum capacity of 65 people and will operate on normal opening times
- Masks must be worn in public places, including at the base
- Mariner Yacht Club is now open
- Stores will be operating on regular opening times
- Ferry capacities have now increased to 100 passengers with 3 ferries per day however we recommend you pre-book your ferry and leave a minimum of 2 hours between arriving in the USVI and your ferry to BVI as there are increased wait times.
- We are dedicated to giving you peace of mind when you charter with us. Our industry-leading safety measures include the fogging and disinfecting of all yachts before each charter begins.
VIEW SAFETY MEASURES
COVID Testing Centres in BVI
Re-entry to the US
- All US travelers, regardless of vaccination status, are required to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 24 hours before travel. All air passengers to the USA are also required to provide contact information to their airlines before boarding.
- We strongly recommend completing your Covid-19 Exit Test as soon as you arrive with the 72-hour window prior to departure to ensure enough time to receive your test results
- All testing facilities will be open across the holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
- What happens if you test positive during exit testing? The covid test will provide the Ministry of Health with a CQ value. This value is directly linked to how contagious you are. The Ministry of Health will issue a quarantine order and a retest date. Based on how high your CQ value is will dictate how long you will need to wait before retesting. You will likely be back at base when you receive your test results and in the first instance you should contact your insurance company to seek advice. If you are still on our yacht and the yacht isn't booked for another charter, we will allow you to remain on the yacht at your own expense until you or your insurance provider can organise hotel accommodation for you.
- It is important that you check with the airline or ferry company to confirm entry requirements.
We offer testing directly at the base through Dr. Emelandu from Emel Medical Centre.
Dr Emelandu from Emel Medical Centre
- Open 8am- 5pm Mon- Thurs, and 10am - 5pm on Friday's Saturday's and Sunday's (This includes Christmas day and New Years day) To schedule testing, please visit www.emelmedical.com Emel Medical Center or leave the names and email addresses of all passengers with reception.
- Cost: $100 with results offered within 30 minutes.
- Tel: 1284 345 3635;
- Email: [email protected]
MD Link concierge testing (a medical nurse that comes to your boat):
- Phone (284) 440-3070
- Cost: $125 Rapid Antigen | $225 PCR
- Phone (264) 495-3299
- Cost: $80 Rapid Antigen | $100+ PCR
- Open M-F 9am-8pm, weekends by appointment
- Phone: (284) 496-0838
- Email: [email protected]
- Cost: $75 Rapid Antigen | $100+ PCR
Dr. Dougan, Private MD:
- Available across Tortola, the doctor does not have access to a boat to service other islands
- Phone: (284) 440-3070
Dr Emelandu from Emel Medical Centre
- Open 8am- 5pm Mon- Thurs, and 10am - 5pm on Friday's Saturday's and Sunday's (This includes Christmas day and New Years day) Customers need to leave their names of all pax as well as email addresses with reception at the base who will then communicate with the Doctor.
- Cost: $100 with results offered within 30 minutes.
- Tel: 1284 345 3635;
- Email: [email protected]
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