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COVID testing policy for vaccinated US VIslanders to enter USVI scrapped

- New policy requiring just proof of vaccination takes effect on Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Come Wednesday, July 28, 2021, vaccinated [US] Virgin Islanders traveling back home will no longer need to take a Covid test for clearance to travel. All they've have to do is insert their vaccination card information into the USVI Travel Portal and await the green QR code confirmation. Photo: Getty Images
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- Come Wednesday, July 28, 2021, vaccinated [US] Virgin Islanders traveling back home will no longer need to take a Covid test for clearance to travel. All they've have to do is insert their vaccination card information into the USVI Travel Portal and await the green QR code confirmation.

That's according to [US] Virgin Islands Department of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion, speaking during the Bryan administration's Covid-19 press briefing on Monday.

"Once you have been vaccinated within the territory and you put your information in, you would actually be given the green QR code," she said.

US Virgin Islanders have complained that even after being vaccinated, they were subjected to paying for Covid-19 tests to be allowed to travel back into the USVI. Health officials announced the new feature to the USVI Travel Portal in June, but strict health data regulations meant implementation took longer than expected.

The commissioner also reminded Virgin Islanders of the benefits associated with the department's digital vaccination record system named Polaris Key. She said during the original announcement on July 7, 2021, that Polaris Key "will make it easy for individuals to securely share their vaccination status while maintaining their privacy with a growing network of local organisations."

Additionally, Polaris Key "can be carried as a wallet-sized photo as well as an Apple Wallet and Google Wallet.” The data-keeping system is optional and Ms Encarnacion assured residents that “the programme follows cybersecurity and privacy best practices to ensure all your information is secure.”

7 Responses to “COVID testing policy for vaccinated US VIslanders to enter USVI scrapped”

  • pat (27/07/2021, 20:08) Like (3) Dislike (13) Reply
    Bvi where are you?
    • fred (27/07/2021, 21:32) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      surely that only applies to ppl who want to travel from the us. most other countries are not the same.
  • Sly Mongoose (27/07/2021, 20:39) Like (19) Dislike (7) Reply
    This is a disaster waiting to happen since fully vaccinated people can still be infected with the virus. A word to the wise..!
  • Crs (27/07/2021, 21:11) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    Does the BVI even know what an Apple wallet is?
    • No (29/07/2021, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      no and they shouldnt! because this is what BVI started in June and have us where we are now. So when we see other countries doing we must keep our mouths shut!
    • Umm (29/07/2021, 08:46) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      We don’t need to know. Furthermore, this is what the bvi did June 15th by not testing vaccinated persons and it has us where we are now. There should be no comments under this post! Bvi did it first and now have to peddle back. Don’t be so quick to forget……


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