Covid-19 Update for US Virgin Islands

The January 18 press conference from Governor Bryan Jr. included the announcement of over 1,400 active cases, and a positivity rate in Covid testing above 17%. The territory has been in “Safer at Home” phase since December 29, with limited open times for public spaces and tight limits on gatherings of people, in particular closed spaces.

As of January 3 the Covid-19 testing timeframe for visitors coming to the USVI was shortened to three days before travel begins, down from the previous five. Mask wearing is still required and enforced in all public spaces in the USVI. Through the month of January (the 25th, officially) bars and restaurants have been required to close at midnight, with last call for alcohol at 11pm. It’s unclear if that is continuing into February.

For inbound travelers, things are tight, but relatively consistent, with testing required for all travelers over 2 years of age, depending on where you are coming from, mode of travel, and nationality. Details below copied directly from USVI government sources:

———- Official Notice ——–

USVI Travel Screening Portal

All domestic travelers 5 years of age or older and all international travelers 2 years of age or older
who enter the U.S. Virgin Islands by sea are required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal and
get cleared to travel to the USVI.

The secure portal can be accessed at www.usvitravelportal.com.

• Travelers are required to produce travel clearance (email with green QR-code) from the
  Travel Screening Portal to airline or marine transportation officials, or may not be able to
  board an aircraft or vessel to the Territory. Digital or printed documents are acceptable.
• Upon arrival, you must produce your original test result and/or vaccination record and
  travel clearance (email with green QR code) from the Portal to avoid processing delays
• If you are within 24 hours of your planned travel and have not received a response,
  please check your Junk, Spam or Promotions folder
• You may also email ; please include the Tracking ID
  code you received upon successfully completing your submission

The Travel Screening Portal can only be completed within three days of travel

• Test must be taken and results received during the the three-day window prior to
  travel
• Tests taken or results received outside the three-day window do not meet the
  requirements

Testing Requirements for visitors arriving in the US Virgin Islands

Domestic Travel (includes U.S. mainland and other U.S. Territories): Domestic travelers must submit a negative result from an antigen or nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) (e.g., RT- PCR) COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of travel.

International Travelers (including travel from the BVI): All International travelers must submit a negative antigen (antigen) or NAAT (e.g., RT- PCR) COVID-19 test result. Test requirements depend on vaccination, mode of travel, and age.

• Travel by Air -Tests must be taken within 1 day of travel. Non-U.S. citizens/non-U.S. immigrants must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.
• Travel by Ferry – Tests must be taken within 3 days of travel. Non-U.S. citizens/non-U.S. immigrants traveling for non-essential reasons (e.g., tourism) must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.

Testing Requirements for Marine Passengers

All travelers must submit a negative antigen (rapid) or negative NAAT (e.g., RT-PCR) COVID-19
test result. Test requirements depend on vaccination and citizenship status.

Domestic Travelers (includes U.S. mainland and other U.S. Territories):
Must submit a negative antigen (rapid) or NAAT (e.g., RT-PCR) COVID-19 test result within
three days of travel.

International Travelers (including travelers from the BVI):

• Must submit a negative antigen (rapid) or NAAT (e.g., RT-PCR) COVID-19 test result within
  three days of travel.
• Non-U.S. citizens/non-U.S. immigrants traveling for non-essential reasons (e.g., tourism) must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status.
• Travelers between 2 and 17 years are exempt from the vaccination requirement but must provide an acceptable test result, the timing of which depends on the vaccination status of the parent or guardian:
  • If parent or guardian is fully vaccinated, test must be taken no more than three days before departure
  • If unaccompanied, or traveling with a parent or guardian who is not fully vaccinated, test must be taken no more than 1 day before departure

All Marine Vessels

• Shall comply with applicable laws of the U.S. Virgin Islands, including Executive
  Orders related to COVID-19
• Shall cooperate with marine personnel and vessels of the West Indian Company
  Limited (WICO) and the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA) that are deputized to
  assist the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) and the Virgin
  Islands Police Department (VIPD) in the patrol of territorial waters
• Shall immediately report to one of the Approved Marine Terminals for the
  COVID-19 Screening Clearance and present travel clearance (email with green
  QR code) from the USVI Travel Screening Portal for each person on board
  • Approved Marine Terminals for COVID-19 Screening Clearance are:
    • Victor William Sewer Marine Facility (‘The Creek’, Cruz Bay, St.
      John)
    • Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal, Charlotte Amalie, St.
      Thomas
• A reporting is required to the DOH, via the DPNR or the Virgin Islands Police Department (“VIPD”), a list of any health issues of passengers and crew on board using forms prescribed by the DOH
• No marina shall accept a vessel from outside the territorial waters of the U.S. Virgin Islands prior to the vessel’s compliance with this Order, and all applicable federal and local laws. Any marina found in violation shall be fined up to $1,000 per incident. Violators are subject to all applicable civil and criminal penalties under U.S. Virgin Islands and federal laws.
• There shall be no marine or boating events in the Territory unless prior written authorization has been obtained from the VIPD, DPNR, and DOH
• There shall be NO rafting (tying up together) of vessels at any time in any of the bays or anchorages of the Territory
• Vessels must maintain at least twelve (12) feet between vessels at all times, unless as a result of a medical emergency
• No vessels shall anchor in designated swim zones
• Any violation of this section shall result in a fine of up to $500 per passenger, including up to $10,000 per vessel per incident and possible seizure of the vessel by the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands