US Virgin Islands Scraps Testing For Vaccinated Americans

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Last Updated 13 hours in the past

Joining the ranks of Caribbean locations easing journey restrictions as soon as extra, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) introduced just lately the pre-departure testing requirement is being lifted for vaccinated Americans visiting from the mainland. The transfer follows an accentuated drop in Covid circumstances because the U.S. territory rides out the Omicron storm.

Shortly after Omicron was flagged as a variant of concern in late 2021, the USVI was fast to implement stricter well being protocols at its ports of entry, particularly regarding home arrivals from different U.S. hotspots. Now, the Omicron-induced restrictions are being rolled again, and vaccinated U.S. vacationers can once more get pleasure from unrestricted entry to the islands.

The New Entry Protocols For Tourists Visiting The USVI As Of March 7, 2022

Although it’s a U.S. territory, the Virgin Islands have some autonomy relating to measures imposed at its borders, particularly relating to well being and security dangers. For that cause, all through the pandemic, they’ve enforced stricter entry regimes in comparison with U.S. states or different territories, together with testing mandates for home arrivals.

However, since March 7, 2022, there have been necessary updates to their entry regime affecting guests from the mainland United States and different American territories. While testing was beforehand a requirement for all vacationers, those that maintain a sound vaccination card, and are arriving from anyplace within the U.S. not want additional proof of a destructive take a look at.

As listed on the USVI official website, the acknowledged vaccination schemes are the next:

• AstraZeneca/Oxford (not less than two doses)
• Covaxin (not less than two doses)
• Covovax (not less than two doses)
• Johnson and Johnson (one dose)
• Moderna (not less than two doses)
• Nuvaxovid (not less than two doses)
• Pfizer/BionTech (not less than two doses)
• Sinopharm (not less than two doses)

Travelers who have been vaccinated just lately, when not less than 14 days haven’t but elapsed for the reason that completion of a certified vaccination scheme as outlined above, nonetheless don’t qualify for restriction-free journey to the Virgin Islands. Similarly, those that are partially vaccinated, or haven’t been vaccinated in any respect, should nonetheless submit a destructive take a look at earlier than flying.

Accepted assessments are both PCR or different acknowledged NAAT assessments, or speedy antigen. However, not like many locations within the Caribbean which have shorter testing home windows, the USVI enable home guests who don’t but qualify as being absolutely vaccinated to submit a destructive take a look at inside 5 days of touring.

Can Vaccinated International Arrivals Also Enter Without Testing?

While immunized Americans arriving from a U.S. departure level can once more journey to the USVI with out present process testing, all classes of worldwide vacationers should nonetheless submit a destructive Covid take a look at and observe a sequence of different necessities, that are depending on various components, together with vaccination, age, and transportation mode.

In line with normal U.S. entry guidelines for overseas guests, the USVI requires all flight arrivals to current a sound destructive take a look at, both PCR or speedy take a look at, inside 24 hours of journey. Additionally, worldwide vacationers have to be absolutely immunized and have the ability to current to each airport, and border authorities, a sound vaccination certificates.

When getting into the USVI from overseas (e.g. on a global flight or cruise ship departing from a non-U.S. Caribbean vacation spot) American residents should comply with entry guidelines set out by the U.S. Government. This means they’re nonetheless topic to testing in beneath 24 hours when crossing again to a United States territory from any exterior entry level.

Regarding journey by ferry, the official web site states worldwide arrivals have to be vaccinated and current a destructive take a look at. When arriving within the USVI from a global port, American residents should current proof of vaccination and take a take a look at inside 5 days of departure. Travelers aged 2-17 are exempt from the vaccine requirement.

As a new mega cruise ship terminal in Miami is ready to grow to be the largest within the United States, ferry journey to the Virgin Islands and several other different sunny locations within the Caribbean is set to extend. Nevertheless, guests are nonetheless suggested to verify each their Covid and visa necessities, that are nationality-based, previous to boarding a USVI-bound vessel.

Important Information Both Domestic And International Travelers Should Know

All of these eligible to go to the USVI testing-free should enter their journey data on the Travel Screening Portal previous to boarding. If arriving from the U.S. mainland or different U.S. territories, this requirement applies to vacationers aged 5 and older, whereas worldwide arrivals require a submission from age 2.

On the Portal, vacationers are anticipated to enter their private particulars, journey plans, and reply in truth to a Covid questionnaire. On the final step, guests should tick both the vaccinated or unvaccinated (with different legitimate Covid documentation) field. They should additionally add all of the related certificates to the platform.

How Easy Is It To Travel To The Caribbean Right Now?

While quite a few locations in Europe and Asia imposed strict entry guidelines for Americans, to various levels, in numerous levels of the pandemic, a lot of the Caribbean has remained comparatively open from the onset of the disaster. Even now, touring to some international locations in Europe is still not hassle-free, prompting IATA to advocate for the lifting of remaining restrictions.

On the opposite hand, locations like Costa Rica and Belize have famously eased entry necessities. Bordering the United States, Mexico went so far as removing the dreaded PLF form, and Jamaica has additionally abolished its Covid-era Travel Authorization program and the necessity for post-arrival quarantine for sure vacationers.

With guidelines being eased and several other U.S. airways ramping up their Caribbean schedule this week, it appears the particular bond between American vacationers and the area is stronger than ever. As a part of the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands is not any exception, providing even simpler and much less bureaucratic trip alternatives than many within the Caribbean Sea.

In order to go to an island within the territory (both St. Thomas, St. John or St. Croix) mainland Americans don’t want to hold a passport and, as of March 7, are not topic to pre-departure testing as long as they’re vaccinated. For extra data on journey to the Virgin Islands, we advise our readers to comply with official steerage via this link.

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Disclaimer: Current journey guidelines and restrictions can change with out discover. The determination to journey is finally your duty. Contact your consulate and/or native authorities to substantiate your nationality’s entry and/or any modifications to journey necessities earlier than touring.  Travel Off Path doesn’t endorse touring towards authorities advisories