Belongers, residents can now return without pre-arrival COVID-19 test

-New waiver means 14-day extended quarantine & additional test

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Virgin Islanders, Belongers and those with residency status facing challenges to obtain a pre-approved COVID-19 rt-PCR result for travelling to the Virgin Islands (VI) can now obtain a special waiver under a new Cabinet-backed measure. Photo: VINO/File

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), in an announcement last evening December 17, 2020, said he will approve the waivers in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer. Photo: Facebook

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Virgin Islanders, Belongers and those with residency status facing challenges to obtain a pre-approved COVID-19 rt-PCR result for travelling to the Virgin Islands (VI) can now obtain a special waiver under a new Cabinet-backed measure.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), in an announcement last evening December 17, 2020, said he will approve the waivers in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer.

“Recognising that a number of persons continue to be challenged within the stipulated time due to the high demand in various countries, Cabinet decided to allow for the processing of waivers of the pre-arrival test in exceptional and verifiable circumstances.”

Hon Malone continued, “Under these exceptional circumstances, such persons will be required to remain in quarantine for an extended period of seven to 14 days with an additional rt-PCR test administered at the end of the on-island quarantine. A negative test result must attain before release,” he said.

Hotels, Charters Companies can now transport persons

In another new measure, the Health Minister announced that in an effort to improve the ‘Government’s Approved Transportation’ (GAT) capacity to accommodate visitors at the various ports of entry, Cabinet decided that it will allow more modes of transportation.

Hotels, resorts and charter companies with approved Gold Seal transportation services will be allowed to transport tourists under the direct authority of the Director of the Taxi and Livery Commission.

Hom Malone said the new move will mitigate the present demands on the ‘Government Approved Transportation’ services.

11 Responses to “Belongers, residents can now return without pre-arrival COVID-19 test”

wise up (19/12/2020, 00:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Well I could tell u .....hope all the best just to note we have 11 active cases and god know who else and we are a population of only 33,000 ppl.
- Wise up lol (19/12/2020, 11:35) Like (41) Dislike (1) Reply
  You have to learn to live with it. If the cold could be “common”, so can covid , ain nothing you could do , locking down the place makes no sense . Just live with it .
Ghost (19/12/2020, 04:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
Hon. Malone Thank you for this for some countries/states are not giving you covid test for traveling purposes and this would mean that your stuck in a country and can’t get home.. as stated in my blog couple days ago though I know we want to make sure that persons entering our shores are negative prior to arrival, this neg test doesn’t mean they’re truly negative as per your statement of persons sadly potentially contracting it somewhere in travel in view that positive or negative, one has to be quarantined anyway..
Oh Boy.. (19/12/2020, 05:32) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
Why change the rules,,, Whenever a few certain type of people complain about something government see the urgency to address it,, but when the masses the voting middle class the complain or ask questions and have Suggestions, the government says people are bullying them,,,,,,, This place will remain unfair until we get leaders that listen to and respect the masses,, the voting middle class and not just the few top end no common sense fools with their selfish agenda and no love uni their hearts for people,,, There was no need to change the rules,,,, then like I say when a few of their bio shot fiends complain They see the urgency to act,,
- @ oh boy (19/12/2020, 17:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
  well said and who vex vex
  
  100% hitting the nail on the head
  
  complexion matters !!
Oh No (19/12/2020, 07:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Ok......I will find that place to do my test to entry...not me and 14days
one eye (19/12/2020, 08:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Wow
Citizen (19/12/2020, 08:26) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
This should be for persons who have to travel from BVI for say a week or so for whatever reason, not persons who are out for an extended period.
Jane (19/12/2020, 09:18) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
The govt is the reason why we have these cases should have left the boarders close
Dumb move (19/12/2020, 19:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
They don’t get a test before and therefore put all other passengers on their flight at risk. Not to mention the airline / airport staff and taxi drivers.
WHY? (19/12/2020, 19:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
Does this make sense?

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Belongers, residents can now return without pre-arrival COVID-19 test

11 Responses to “Belongers, residents can now return without pre-arrival COVID-19 test”

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