Under the recently announced reopening protocols, incoming BVI tourists will be mandated to foot an estimated $500 cost per person for testing and contact tracing during their stay in the territory. The clarifications were made during a press conference hosted October 27th, by the Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew Fahie and Minister of Health, Honorable Carvin Malone.
TESTS TO BE REDUCED TO $100 EACH
According to the Minister of Health, Honorable Carvin Malone, there are plans to substantially reduce the cost of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing from the current $135 to $100 in light of the amount of tests required during the quarantine process for visitors. Based on Government’s update,
Honorable Malone said “right now for instance, the tests are at a $135 per test at the hospital…we would like to bring it down to probably $100 so that if we have three tests its $300, if we break it down to two tests, it will be $200.”
Minister Malone said the testing lab director advised that as of October 27th, 2020, the BVI currently has 11,000 test kits, however, Government intends to increase that amount to 25,000 prior to the December 1st reopening. He further said that Government is currently trying to secure the relevant equipment to ensure a 24-hour turnaround for test results.
TOURISTS TO PAY A ONE-TIME FEE OF $150 FOR CONTACT TRACING APP & BRACELET
Potential tourists will also be required to download the “BVI Gateway” app which gives local health authorities proof of the person’s whereabouts during the mandated quarantine period. That too, comes with a cost to the tourist.
Honorable Malone said “in terms of the particular app that you’d have to download on your phone, the particular tracking device and so forth, that cost is about $150”
To add further perspective, Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honorable Andrew Fahie said “the cost roughly right now to do the security is about $200 per night to the Government on an average.”
“The cost of the app is roughly going to be $150 with the bracelet GPS system in it. But I need to state that, that’s it, $150 for the entire trip and then when you leave you turn it back in, you sanitize and it will be reusable for when the next visitor comes. So it is a significant cost saving from what we do have now,” the premier further added.
The Minister of Health also stated “with the insertion or with the application of the app of which we speak, we’re going to be able then to cut back on that very expensive notion of having physical security. With these new protocols, with the track and trace device, with the particular automatic or particular bracelet we would not need physical security anymore so that cost ($3500) is now zeroed out. We are going to be able make sure though, that folks adhere to the protocols that will be set to in the period of which they’re here.”
It was further clarified that the app will work to retrieve tracking information even when the internet is down. Premier Fahie said the info will be updated once the app reconnects to data or wifi.
QUARANTINE AT HOTEL OF CHOICE
Visitors will also now be able to quarantine at their hotel of choice according to Government. The proposed app and bracelet will ensure that they remain confined to that space for the duration of the quarantine period.
Concerns are brewing on how the authorities will be track tourists if the bracelet is ill-intently removed during vacation. It is yet to be declared whether a special unit will be devised to trace and monitor all tourists while in the territory.
Additionally, tourists will be required to have medical insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage before being allowed entry into the territory.
The BVI Gateway app will be commissioned on November 2nd, 2020 and persons can access the portal at “BVIGateway.BVIAA.com”