The Government of the Virgin Islands announced via the Official Virgin Islands Gazette on 16 November, that fully vaccinated arrivals in the Territory are no longer required to test for COVID-19 upon arrival.
Travellers would have to produce a negative result for a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test taken no later than 48 hours before arrival in the Territory.
Fully vaccinated passengers that present proof of vaccination and a negative test result are also no longer required to pre-register on the Hummingbird portal.
However, fully vaccinated passengers who present a negative test older than 48 hours, whether due to reasons such as delays and overnight layovers, will be required to pre-register on the Hummingbird portal and take a rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test on the day of arrival into the Territory.
Pre-Registration is based on the port of arrival. Travellers arriving at West End Ferry Terminal must pre-register at https://westend.bvi.care/; travellers arriving at Road Town Ferry Terminal must pre-register at https://rtferry.bvi.care and travellers arriving at TB Lettsome International Airport must pre-register at https://airport.bvi.care.
It should be noted that West End Ferry Terminal is designated for the entry of vessels carrying fully vaccinated passengers and crews only.
The protocols for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers remain the same. This includes the requirement to seek travel authorization via the BVI Gateway portal at https://bvigateway.bviaa.com, test on arrival and quarantine for seven and four days respectively.
Additionally, the Gazette also announced that fully vaccinated cruise ship passengers or crew members who embark a cruise ship and have a negative test result from a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival in the Territory, shall not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in the Territory; and shall be allowed to move freely within the Territory, adhering to all the Territory’s COVID-19 Protocols.
Commenting on the new protocols, the British Virgin Islands’ Director of Tourism, Mr. Clive McCoy said, “Our Government has taken a phased approach to reopening the Territory during the COVID-19 Pandemic and what was gazetted on 16th November is another step towards easing the COVID-19 protocols for travellers arriving in the British Virgin Islands. We are very encouraged with the response from travellers to the phased relaxation of our protocols, as our tourism partners have reported strong bookings for the 2021/2022 tourism season, reminiscent of pre-pandemic numbers. However, we still caution guests and the local population to strictly adhere to all the existing protocols that will ensure our safety, including, social distancing, mask wearing and observing hygiene and sanitization best practices.”
The Director added that guests should be reminded to confirm and comply with the COVID-19 protocols of the countries they are returning to or transiting through. Some countries require testing and there are several departure testing options in the Territory, including the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) and several private sector service providers.
Travellers returning via ferry through the United States Virgin Islands, must present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) (e.g., RT- PCR) or COVID-19 rapid antigen test within 5 days of travel and pre-register on the USVI’s travel portal, https://www.usvitravelportal.com/. For more information on the British Virgin Islands’ travel protocols visit https:bvitourism.com/reopening.
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BVI Food Fans Gear Up For The 2021 Anegada Lobster Festival
The crustaecentric event will be celebrated from November 26 to November 28 for its 9th anniversary
Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands, 24th November, 2021 ̶ One of the British Virgin Islands’ most popular annual culinary events is making a strong comeback this year. The Anegada Lobster Festival is getting ready to welcome foodies from the BVI, the Caribbean and international destinations, to the island of Anegada from November 26 to November 28, 2021.
Part of the activities roster for the annual BVI Food Fête, the Anegada Lobster Festival is designed as a scavenger hunt that encourages its attendees to explore various restaurants and attractions in Anegada and sample a variety of dishes featuring the island’s spiny lobster. The event is produced by the BVI Tourist Board & Film Commission and sponsored by Road Town Wholesale, CCT Global Communications and Cape Air.
According to Director of Tourism Clive McCoy, “the Anegada Lobster Festival will kick off BVI Food Fête 2021. There will be 10 participating restaurants, live entertainment, exciting excursions, opportunities to win prizes and of course, tantalising lobster dishes. Our restaurants have gotten quite creative this year and will showcase dishes such as curried lobster, jerk lobster, lobster beignets, lobster fritters, lobster quesadilla, to name a few. One of the restaurants will even feature vanilla lobster ice-cream!”
A new BVI Food Fete event dubbed Jost Van Dyke Fish & Fungi Frenzy, is set for Thursday, December 30, 2021. That event will have a similar format to the Anegada Lobster Festival, encouraging patrons to restaurant and bar hop around Jost Van Dyke, sampling a variety of mouth-watering fish dishes, while exploring the island.
“We are thrilled to welcome our residents and visitors back to Anegada and the BVI for this event. Our digital Anegada Lobster Festival Experience Guide contains all you need to know about the event including, menus of participating restaurants, ferry schedules, an island map, health and safety protocols and fun activities. Persons attending the weekend event are encouraged to download the guide at this link before departing for Anegada.” Mr. McCoy added.
Visitors arriving in the BVI for the Anegada Lobster Festival can fly or ferry to Tortola and connect to Anegada via scheduled ferry or private air or sea charter directly to the island. While most accommodations on Anegada are sold out, other options include staying overnight on Virgin Gorda or Tortola and commuting by ferry, boat or air charter or chartering a sailboat or motor yacht to spend the weekend in Anegada.
For additional information about these activities visit bvifoodfete.com and for general information on the British Virgin Island including travel protocols, visit bvitourism.com.
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