Premier Fahie announced the measure in an address to the territory on October 26 where he also outlined numerous protocols to govern tourist arrivals after the BVI’s borders reopen to visitors.

“It should be noted that in our continued effort to put safety first, arrival flights will be staggered so that there will be a 90-minute lag between flights, ensuring that at no time there would be two flights on the ground simultaneously,” Premier Fahie said.

He continued: “This time-lapse will also allow the team to sanitise the facility and to prepare for the next flight.”

Medical insurance

Premier Fahie also outlined that medical travel insurance which includes COVID-19 coverage is among the list of terms and conditions for all arriving passengers after December 1.

“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 with these measures,” Premier Fahie stated.

Following the announcement of the protocols, there has been numerous outcry from sections of the public who say the stringent measures will deter visitors from travelling to the BVI.

The government maintains that though some protocols can be changed, those that protect visitors and residents must be kept to prevent another COVID-19 outbreak in the community.