This was confirmed by Minister of Health and Social Development, Honorable Carvin Malone who said “effective 15th May 2021, fully vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would require a PCR test within five (5) days of travel, provide satisfactory evidence of being fully vaccinated, and will be subject to a PCR test upon arrival (day zero).”

“Fully vaccinated persons will be quarantined until a negative test result is received from the BVI Health Services Authority. In other words, if the test administered on arrival returns a negative result, the fully vaccinated traveler will be immediately released from quarantine (unless they have been in close contact with a positive case),” the Minister later added.

A person is deemed to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received both doses of an approved two-dose vaccine, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer, or Moderna, and one shot of a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson.

NO MORE QUARANTINE FOR “FULLY VACCINATED”LOCAL DAY-TRIPPERS

The Minister of Health announced reduced quarantine measure for day-trippers to the USVI, St. Martin and Puerto Rico.

“Cabinet also decided that effective 15th May 2021, fully vaccinated persons who have been present in the Virgin Islands for a period of more than fourteen (14) consecutive days and travel to the USVI, St. Martin, or Puerto Rico for a period not longer than 24 hours are exempted from quarantine and the COVID-19 test upon re-entering the Territory. However, day-trippers to these neighboring jurisdictions would be required to take a PCR test seven (7) days after returning to the Territory.”

GATHERING SIZE INCREASED TO 200

In respect of restrictions on the assembly of persons, the Public Health (COVID-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No. 3) Order, 2021 comes into effect today and provides the following:

Gatherings among vulnerable persons are not to exceed five persons, as certified by the Chief Environmental Health Officer.

All other gatherings are limited to one person per sixty-four square feet and shall not exceed two hundred persons at any given time; except or faith-based services; graduation ceremonies; wedding ceremonies; or funerals, which shall not exceed two hundred and fifty persons.

Citing that increased gatherings also means increased risk for community transmissions, the Minister implored residents to take the vaccine.

“Again, I emphasize that vaccination is the best defense against the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms and death.As a caring and responsible Government, we have taken extensive measures and made significant investments to safeguard the health and well-being of the people of the Virgin Islands against the threat of this deadly virus.”

Wholesale & retail giant, Road town Wholesale will be hosting another vaccination clinic this Saturday, April 24th for persons who are interested in taking the jab.

They are affording fully vaccinated customers a 10% discount.

Clarence Thomas Limited (CTL) is also offering a 10% discount off all purchases from now until the end of May for consumers who present a BVI Vaccination card.