Sister island ports will reopen for int’l vessels

The sister islands of Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada will resume/commence operations as international ports of entry in the coming days.

Premier Andrew Fahie gave that indication while celebrating the West End Ferry Terminal’s reopening to accept all types of maritime traffic.

“With the new COVID travel measures that came into effect 1st October, it is a joy to witness the revitalisation of the West End port which reopens as BVI Health Services Authority commenced the administration of antigen rapid tests to fully vaccinated captains, crew and passengers of commercial and private local and foreign registered vessels,” the Premier said in a recent social media post.

“The ports of Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and Anegada have also been designated and approved for entry by fully vaccinated international travellers,” he added.

The announcement from the Premier comes after his trip to Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Miami, Florida. He described his trip as a success.

Speaking at a vigil in West End on Sunday evening, Premier Fahie stated: “Last night we went to Seatrade to get more crew industry partners coming back and we were very successful with God’s help to get a lot more crew liners with fully vaccinated people from 12 up and we are talking more than 70 of them within a year to make calls.”

The BVI Ports were closed to international passengers as a COVID-19 measure to stem the effects of the virus. However, this had a crippling effect on the territory since it is heavily reliant on tourism to boost its economy.

Nonetheless, the announcement by the Premier comes at a crucial time and many local businesses will be looking for an increase in customers once cruise ships start docking at the piers.

The Humming Bird Portal

Meanwhile, during Fahie’s trip to Seatrade, Dr Natalio Wheatley, acting as Premier announced new measures for entry to the territory. Wheatley said that fully vaccinated travellers will no longer have to apply for a travel certification on the BVI Gateway Portal for entry.

However, they must pre-register for a rapid antigen test via the Hummingbird portal. A negative PCR test, no older than five days, is also required.

Visitors are considered fully vaccinated once they receive the second approved World Health Organization (WHO) vaccine no less than two weeks before entry to the Virgin Islands.

Partially and non-vaccinated travellers will still have to register for authorisation to enter the Virgin Islands.