COVID-19 UPDATE
for the
British Virgin Islands
Beginning October 1, 2021
- Fully vaccinated will no longer be required to apply for entry through the BVI gateway portal application.
- Vaccinated minors – travellers under the age of 18 who are travelling with vaccinated parents or guardians — will also be exempted from the BVI gateway portal while being subjected to similar stringent measures.
- Upon entry into the territory, each vaccinated traveller must provide the results of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen rapid test that is no older than five days.
- They are also required to present valid proof of vaccination
- Partially vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers as well as unaccompanied minors (who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated), or any other persons not covered by the fully vaccinated portal exemption protocols, will still be subject to using the gateway portal to obtain entry to the BVI.
[NOTE: An antigen test is required on arrival to the territory at the current price of $50 per person.]
Excerpts from The BVI Platinum News, September 21, 2021
Beginning October 1, all fully vaccinated travelers to the BVI including cruise ship passengers and crew will no longer have to apply to enter the BVI using the BVI Gateway Entry Portal.
Premier and Finance Minister Hon. Andrew Fahie made the announcement late this evening, September 21 during the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) radio programme.
“You don’t have to worry about the portal at all if you are fully vaccinated and go through all these tests. You don’t even have to tell us you are coming, you just show up at the port you are leaving from with a negative test [no older than five days], proof of vaccination and you come and when you land you have to pay for the antigen test, right now its $50 per person,” he said.
The Premier who said Cabinet made the decision today, pointed out that they have also commenced the process to address the issues with the BVI Portal to make it user friendly.
“Coming into the territory you don’t have to go through the portal anymore after the 1st October once you are fully vaccinated. Only fully vaccinated persons or any minor that is traveling with a fully vaccinated person. All other persons not in that category going to have to use the portal still, and that is in the process of being updated so it will be more user friendly,” he said.
Also,
there are heavy fines attached to any passenger or carrier who breach
the new rules. The transporter will be fined up to $10,000 per passenger
and passengers will be individually fined up to $5000.
Read more: The BVI Platinum News, September 21, 2021
We'll keep you informed as more news comes out.