On Tuesday government Gazetted new protocols for entering the territory, lifting the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to test for Covid-19 upon arrival.
They must, however, take a Covid-19 test 48 hours before arrival and present the negative results and proof of vaccination on entry.
If the given 48-hour period lapses due to travel delays, they can get tested on arrival instead. Unvaccinated travellers still must test in advance and upon arrival, as well as apply for a travel certificate through the BVI Gateway portal.
“The [VI] is opening up in phased approach, and it is important now more than ever that we follow all health proto- col even if you are vaxxed,” Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone said in a WhatsApp group.
The Virgin Islands remains on the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Level Four” list of destinations with a “very high” Covid-19 risk.
Dashboard stated on Monday that there were 21 active cases in the territory, 11 of which were found through travel screenings.
Six cases were found on entry screening at “day zero,” and four were local cases, according to the Dashboard.
Eleven cases were located on Tortola; two on Virgin Gorda; and eight on Jost Van Dyke.
None of the people with Covid-19 were hospitalised as of Monday, according to the Dashboard.
All told, there have been 2,765 total cases reported of the 81,024 people tested since the onset of the pandemic.
Between the government’s previous update on Nov. 5 and Monday, 693 people were tested