British Virgin Islands to reopen to tourists on December 1

The British Virgin Islands announced it plans to reopen its borders to visitors on December 1.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie said that the Government is optimistic and is vigorously preparing for the re-opening of the Territory to welcome back tourists among others.

The Government of the Virgin Islands is using a phased approach to the Territory’s borders amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase 1 of the Controlled Border reentry process commenced on June 2 for Virgin Islands, Belongers, Naturalised citizens and Permanent Residents.

Phase two of the reentry process which commenced on September 1 allowed for several new categories to be permitted into the Territory  including Work Permit Holders; Existing Work Permit Exemption Holders; Residing Entry Permits such as Retirees and Home owners; students of locally based Medical Schools and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College; persons employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands Bodies, Agencies, Boards and teachers whether public and private; Dependents of Belongers, Permanent Residents, Work Permit Holders and Work Permit Exemption Holders, persons desirous of conducting business in the Territory; and diplomats deemed as Business Visitors.

Phase 2 also allows for the entry of aviation crew, maritime crew, healthcare practitioners/medical staff, emergency maintenance, repair and other technical personnel; and other essential specialised workers in the Territory for no longer than 5 days.

“This next phase also comes with a risk factor, where if a case of COVID-19 gets into our Territory, then it can go through the whole community very quickly.  That is why we must use technology,” Fahie said, adding, “The concentration must be to use the technology through a simulation prior, to demonstrate that the technology will complement the science to greatly assist us in re-opening in the safest way, humanly possible.”