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Fully vaccinated travellers to VI may be exempted from rapid test on arrival

- Travellers will be exempted once PCR/Rapid test was done within 48 hours of arrival & returned negative
Fully vaccinated travellers to the Virgin Islands who have had their PCR or Rapid Test done within 48 hours and returned negative will now be exempted from taking a Rapid Test on arrival. Photo: news.nus.edu
Cruise ship passengers or crew members with a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival in the Territory will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
Cruise ship passengers or crew members with a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival in the Territory will not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Fully vaccinated travellers to the Virgin Islands who have had their PCR or Rapid Test done within 48 hours and returned negative will now be exempted from taking a Rapid Test on arrival.

This has been facilitated by the COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Entry of Persons) (No. 3) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations, 2021 published yesterday, November 16, 2021.

The regulations have been amended “by deleting the words “five days” and substituting with the words “forty-eight hours.”

The amended version now reads that “A person who is fully vaccinated and presents a RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48 hours before arrival in the Territory and his or her vaccination card in accordance with regulation 5 shall (a) not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Territory; and (b) be allowed to move freely within the Territory, subject to adhering to the relevant COVID-19 enactments and protocols in the Territory, including the relevant physical distancing protocols, wearing of masks and sanitisation measures.”

The local Rapid Test costs $50.

Delayed Passengers must be tested

The order further said a person who would have obtained his or her RTPCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 negative test result taken no later than 48 hours before arrival in the Territory but is unable to present the results to enter the Territory within the 48 hours’ time period, for reasons such as delays and overnight layovers, “shall be required to undertake a rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test on the day of arrival in the Territory.” 

Cruise passengers

For passengers arriving on cruise ships, the order said a fully vaccinated cruise ship passenger or crew member who embarks a cruise vessel with a RT-PCR or approved rapid antigen SARS CoV-2 test before arrival in the Territory in accordance with the Cruise Protocols and Operation Plan shall (a) not be required to be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival into the Territory; and (b) be allowed to move freely within the Territory, subject to adhering to the relevant COVID-19 enactments and protocols in the Territory, including the relevant physical distancing protocols, wearing of masks and sanitisation measures.”

16 Responses to “Fully vaccinated travellers to VI may be exempted from rapid test on arrival”

  • hope ayo see wha going on? (17/11/2021, 09:44) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is exactly how that jamaican was able to pass thru with covid
  • Boosters incoming (17/11/2021, 09:47) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    Don’t do drugs kids else you might get hooked like these vaccinated addicts
  • Trans lives matter (17/11/2021, 09:48) Like (29) Dislike (5) Reply
    What if im transvaxxer ? Im unvaxxed but inside im felling vaxxed, wheres my rights ?
  • Oh hell nah (17/11/2021, 09:52) Like (23) Dislike (5) Reply
    Almost took the shot until I watched the FDA discuss panel when Dr. Eric Rubin's said “We’re never gonna learn about how safe these vaccines are unless we start giving it”
  • Sam (17/11/2021, 10:51) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    it is amazing how quickly the regulations can change when certain visitors are Desirous of come into our territory
    • Local (17/11/2021, 17:05) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      This government will never learn why remove the testing from incoming visitors .
  • concern (17/11/2021, 11:10) Like (26) Dislike (4) Reply
    Them with this again, to start another outbreak, being vaccinated don't stop you from getting and spreading covid.
    • Wylie (17/11/2021, 17:42) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      It stopped me from getting it when I was around other people who got it. I guess numbers & percentages can be hard to understand.
  • lodger (17/11/2021, 11:43) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Does this mean we dont have to go on the hummingbird site?
  • Sigh. (17/11/2021, 14:37) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Meanwhile we're still catching many of our cases durring screening......... Oh boy this may not end well.
    • Marching on. (17/11/2021, 17:18) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree 100% Cant allow this blind enemy to dictate and control our future...People have to take personal responsibility and protect themselves....We have to move forward.
      • Lazy Civil Servants.. (17/11/2021, 23:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        They are the one opposing anything to do with moving the country forward. Maybe they are hoping for the country to go under lockdown so they can stay at home and get paid...They better be careful, they may just get what they wish, staying home permanently without pay...
  • This (17/11/2021, 20:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is the dumbest ish ever. Who the front door advising these eedeeyats?
  • My relatives (18/11/2021, 03:11) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Down island fully vaccinated
    Last week a death after being in hospital
    Next family member on the Low on the hospital
    All fully vaxx months ago.


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