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Estimated $450 per tourist for COVID-19 testing & GPS bracelet

- Health Minister Hon Carvin Malone says Gov’t will work to reduce costs
Premier Andrew A. Fahie said a GPS tracking bracelet and the associate app will come at a cost of $150, however, he said that the bracelets are a better alternative to having 24/7 security at quarantine facilities. GPS bracelet may not be exact as seen in image. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Carvin Malone said the cost of COVID-19 testing currently stands at some $135 per test at the Dr D. Olando Smith Hospital, however, he said that cost will be reduced by December. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Hon Carvin Malone said the cost of COVID-19 testing currently stands at some $135 per test at the Dr D. Olando Smith Hospital, however, he said that cost will be reduced by December. Photo: GIS/Facebook
A man is fitted with an electronic wristband on arrival to Abu Dhabi. This must be worn for 14 days during isolation. Photo: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
A man is fitted with an electronic wristband on arrival to Abu Dhabi. This must be worn for 14 days during isolation. Photo: Abu Dhabi Government Media Office
Like previous COVID-19 updates, Premier Andrew A. Fahie has reiterated that the pandemic is one where Government has had to navigate its uncertainty and make fluid changes to react to new developments and keep the territory safe. Photo: GIS/Facebook
Like previous COVID-19 updates, Premier Andrew A. Fahie has reiterated that the pandemic is one where Government has had to navigate its uncertainty and make fluid changes to react to new developments and keep the territory safe. Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Tourists to the Virgin Islands (VI) can expect to pay an estimated $450 per person for all local COVID-19 testing and the associated GPS tracking device, should the government move forward with its current reopening protocols from December 1, 2020.

The cost estimates were detailed by both Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Health and Social Development Minister, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) when they sat down for a special live press conference last evening, October 27, 2020, to have a dialogue with the public.

COVID-19 has changed travel – Premier Fahie

Some 24 hours before the press conference, Premier Fahie had announced on Monday evening, October 26, 2020, that tourists coming to the VI would have to meet several conditions, including a total of 4 COVID-19 tests, with three done locally.

“These terms and conditions include periods of quarantine at approved accommodation, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, medical travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage, subscription to a contact tracing system through their mobile phone, and in some cases using a wearable device, and bearing the costs associated,” he had said.

Now, according to both the Premier and Health Minister, while the cost of the protocols will not be cheap, it is also one of cost-saving for the government to get the tourism sector going.

Premier Fahie said the measures were developed to make tourism possible and at the same time protect the VI population, given months of sacrifices for the territory to be COVID-19 free.

3 local COVID-19 tests - $300 estimated

Hon Malone said the cost of COVID-19 testing currently stands at some $135 per test at the Dr D. Olando Smith Hospital, however, he said that cost will be reduced by December.

“At the hospital, we're going to substantially reduce that… we have a number of donors who are intent on making sure that we are afforded the additional equipment to increase our capacities for testing, and to look in terms of the particular pieces needed… to get this cost down.”

Hon Malone continued, “We would like to bring it down in terms of the test probably $100 so that we can then… if we have three tests it's $300 [and] if we break it down to two tests, it will be $200.”

1 GPS tracking bracelet - $150 estimated

Primer Fahie said the GPS tracking bracelet and the associate app will come at a cost of $150, however, he said that the bracelets are a better alternative to having 24/7 security at quarantine facilities.

“The cost roughly right now to do the security is about $200 per night to [the] government on average, the cost of the bracelet with the GPS system in it, is going to be $150,” he said.

“But I need to state that that's it, $150 [bracelet] for the entire trip and then when you leave you turn it back in, sanitised and it will be reusable for when the next visitor comes,” Hon Fahie further said.

GPS bracelet works when internet is down – Premier Fahie 

According to the Premier, the app and tracker are also capable of GEO-fence features that will ensure tourists in the first restricted phased of being outdoors, don’t break protocols and travel outside of the approved area.

The bracelet will also be able to store information offline and upload data to authorities at a later time should internet availability and mobile coverage be an issue.  

Like previous COVID-19 updates, Premier Fahie reiterated that the pandemic is one where Government has had to navigate through uncertainty and make fluid changes to react to new developments and keep the territory safe.

19 Responses to “Estimated $450 per tourist for COVID-19 testing & GPS bracelet”

  • lodger (28/10/2020, 07:38) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier said bracelet is reusable and would be returned at end of trip. But when asked if it could be removed by the wearer he said with difficulty. So is it a one use device or not. Would not like to be a user after the first or other. How many bracelets have they bought?
  • GG (28/10/2020, 07:48) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Good bye tourism, we will surely miss you.
  • .... (28/10/2020, 08:06) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    USVI goin win this season most can’t afford a two week vacation airline prices already high..BVI want you paused for a week
  • Really (28/10/2020, 08:14) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    Vip need to go
  • Bullies (28/10/2020, 08:22) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    VI Government, please do not succumb to the noise. There are those of us who appreciate the efforts to keep us safe. Travel for everyone will be be quite different now. Those who insist on vacationing in these crazy times will have to pay the price. Those who genuinely care about our destination will have no problem following the protocols. Of course there are those who are just SELFISH!. Best wishes to the BVI!
  • andrew (28/10/2020, 08:35) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    I vote for u and vip look now serious this is crap
  • Rubber Duck (28/10/2020, 08:36) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    You are going on holiday to wear a bracelet like a convicted criminal? Right.

    How many bracelets did they buy because they are not going to be using many.

    Still sounds like the Jamaican cronies will be doing ok at $150 for their app.
  • Wire in the nose (28/10/2020, 08:41) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    It’s not a pleasant experience at all. It can be painful. But come for your weeks holiday to BVI and you get it 4 times. At $500 plus per person. What’s not to like?
  • Rich People (28/10/2020, 09:10) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Because these people in govt are rich, they think everyone is rich or,they are only trying to get rich people coming hrre....Ian't those test kits donations from UK. So why are the test so expensive? I think we make 3 days quaratine work if we really care to...
  • I want to know (28/10/2020, 09:52) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    So are people going to get their money back when they return the bracelets.? Or this is just another racket to
  • eyes (28/10/2020, 10:10) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Boaters can quarantine on there boats, the restaurants need apps to do take outs and deliveries the supermarkets does deliveries already, boaters can come and sail without mingling
  • Dancing in the sunshine (28/10/2020, 14:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are caught between a rock and a hard place. The critical problem is whether we want to have a vibrant tourist season or save lives in the territory. With the escalation of COVID-19 cases in the United States where most of our tourists are coming from there is enough reasons to be fearful. The measures that are implemented by the government sound harsh, however, if we do not put these measures in place we will find ourselves in a difficult situation.

    Hon. Premier you have put the safety of your people first and I want to commend you greatly. I am sure if any adverse situation arise you will be commended for the way you manage the crisis. Lives will be saved and there will be time to recover.
    • @Dancing (28/10/2020, 18:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The protocols are not the problem it is the planning!!! Let us say someone has no issue with the protocols and want to come, where is the detailed information outlining what all is necessary, where to stay, where is approved.
  • Crap (28/10/2020, 14:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder how these GPS would work with this Crappy internet systems that we have here dealing with on an everyday basis thou
  • Well... (28/10/2020, 14:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sounds like the $150 should be a deposit... to be returned when the bracelet is returned.
  • Mr. Trump (28/10/2020, 16:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Here's the kicker... do no more testing and we will have no more cases
  • what (28/10/2020, 17:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    All of a sodden this virus have become business now man
  • Andrew Trump (29/10/2020, 12:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Next is your "chip" implant.


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