Outdoor mask wearing & quarantine for travellers to be scrapped- Hon Malone
The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has decided to, among other things, to remove the requirement for mask wearing while outdoors as well as lift the requirement for quarantine for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travellers to the Virgin Islands.
This was disclosed by Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) while at a community meeting on waste management solutions this evening, April 13, 2022.
Hon Malone said Cabinet met today and decided that effective April 15, 2022, fully vaccinated persons travelling to the VI from overseas would require a rapid antigen test on arrival, provided they do not have satisfactory evidence of a PCR test or approved antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival in the territory.
‘We are doing away with the quarantine’- Hon Malone
According to Hon Malone, this means that “if you somehow got stuck at the airport and you need to come in you can still come in and have the antigen test administered here in the BVI.”
Hon Malone continued that partially vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would require a PCR test within 5 days of travel, provide evidence of being partially vaccinated and would be administered a rapid antigen test on arrival before being cleared for release, provided the test is negative for COVID-19.
“That simply means that we are doing away with the quarantine. Once you test negative you are free to roam, whether you vaccinated or unvaccinated, but the test would be conducted on the unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated, that’s the antigen test,” Hon Malone explained.
No more mask wearing outdoors
The Minister added that subject to amendments made to the relevant legislation, the requirements for face mask coverings by all individuals over the age of 5 will be allowed as a matter of choice in outdoor public spaces.
“And when you are indoor it will remain mandatory and with social distancing of 3 feet.
“So, we want the face masks to remain mandatory indoors except with your own circle, family…It would not be a requirement outdoors,” Hon Malone stated.
Hon Malone said Cabinet met today and decided that effective April 15, 2022, fully vaccinated persons travelling to the VI from overseas would require a rapid antigen test on arrival, provided they do not have satisfactory evidence of a PCR test or approved antigen test taken within 48 hours of arrival in the territory.
‘We are doing away with the quarantine’- Hon Malone
According to Hon Malone, this means that “if you somehow got stuck at the airport and you need to come in you can still come in and have the antigen test administered here in the BVI.”
Hon Malone continued that partially vaccinated persons travelling from overseas would require a PCR test within 5 days of travel, provide evidence of being partially vaccinated and would be administered a rapid antigen test on arrival before being cleared for release, provided the test is negative for COVID-19.
“That simply means that we are doing away with the quarantine. Once you test negative you are free to roam, whether you vaccinated or unvaccinated, but the test would be conducted on the unvaccinated or partially unvaccinated, that’s the antigen test,” Hon Malone explained.
No more mask wearing outdoors
The Minister added that subject to amendments made to the relevant legislation, the requirements for face mask coverings by all individuals over the age of 5 will be allowed as a matter of choice in outdoor public spaces.
“And when you are indoor it will remain mandatory and with social distancing of 3 feet.
“So, we want the face masks to remain mandatory indoors except with your own circle, family…It would not be a requirement outdoors,” Hon Malone stated.
