Getting into The BVIs
Entrance Regulations and Steps - Fully Vaccinated

For the Fully Vaccinated - Thank You Very Much. International travel is again available almost worry free!!!! You have taken a very important step to have a great and safe voyage and to help stop this crazy pandemic.

As a “Fully Vaccinated” traveler into the BVIs, there is no on-arrival test or quarantine.

To help ease concerns about travel with the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, we want you to know we are committed to working with you and delivering a safe and fun experience.

We have been working earnestly with experts, studying epidemiology data and recommendations with risk mitigation professionals to develop a safe plan for adventure travel. Our goal is to provide students an incredible experience this summer, and we want you to feel confident when enrolling.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance is required by the island nations we visit in order to enter their countries and will also further protect your investment


Sincerely,

Jason Buchheim, Jon Buchheim and the Odyssey Expeditions Team

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Updates:

• Version 6.1.22

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How to Navigate Your Pre-Trip Responsibilities & Gain Permission to Travel to the British Virgin Islands

All parents and students should prepare at least 2 weeks prior to the program’s start date in the BVI. The purpose is to provide an overview of all of the resources that we have created to help you successfully navigate all of the Pre-trip COVID-related forms and logistics.

Pre Trip Timeline of Action Items You Must Complete

In the two weeks leading up to your program start date, you'll need to start preparing. COVID-19 protocols have added lots of specific tasks and logistics for which ONLY YOU can be responsible. We've created the materials below to help you navigate these processes, but you will still need to remember the Seven Ps "Proper Prior Planning Prevents P**s Poor Performance." Failure to plan could easily jeopardize your experience this summer.

This is the official BVI Entry Protocols : bvi.gov.vg/travel-protocols

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We created some "Self-Help" resources, as we are not physically capable of assisting each family step-by-step. Please download, print, and read each resource before you need it. Follow your Timeline carefully, and create a personal checklist to ensure that you don't miss a critical step. Our focus has now shifted to operations with the majority of our staff moving to the BVI. Consequently, our US office is short-staffed and may not be able to help you if you have not fully read, understood, and followed the instructions.

Tips for success:

• Start by downloading your Timeline from the table below. It refers to specific events you need to complete on particular dates. Do not stray from your Timeline.
• You can plan to take a COVID-19 test with you local provider or Order your online COVID19 test kits from Quest Diagnostics. These kits come with two tests, one each to be used for your Pre- (48 hr) and a spare. Rapid Antigen kit $70
  This test kit will require you to download the free NAVICA™ digital health app to your phone and establish a health account. Navica App
  We want to use this brand of test kits because they are affordable compared to in-person testing and the students will be familiar with the process for the return testing during the voyage. The QD kits do not have limited proctoring hours and will afford ease of use and minimal voyage disruption. A documented testing record (emailed results from physican or lab) is required by governments. This is why just a home test will not suffice.
• Fully Vaccinated Travelers: Administer the proctored Quest Diagnostics test less than 48 hrs before departure. Receive a negative result via email. When planning to take your test, don't use "hope" as a strategy. You need to receive your results back quickly.
• During your 7-Day Pre-Trip Precautionary Health Period, the decisions you make should be in keeping with your vaccination status. The current infection rate in May is up to 6 times higher this year 2022 than 2021. Take this precautionary period seriously. If you test positive for COVID-19 at any point, you will not be able to join or complete our program. You may also jeopardize the experience for others, which is not fair.

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Self Help Resources:
Start Here:

• Select your Voyage specific "Pre-Voyage Action item Timeline"
  
  • June 17 BVI Voyage Vac
    
  • July 01 BVI Voyage Vac
    
  • July 15 BVI Voyage Vac
    
  • July 29 BVI Voyage Vac
    
  
  
  
• Vaccination Card

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BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal

• Fully vaccinated travelers shall be exempted from the BVI Gateway Travel Application Portal. You still need to have Valid Covid-19 test results! You do not need to do the BVI Portal.

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Vaccination Card:
Bring this card with you it is needed for entry to the BVI's.
"Fully Vaccinated" travelers will eliminate the BVI on-entry testing retirements.
Make sure to scan both sides of the card each into separate documents upload it to your phone. This card will also be scrutinized on arrival, so students must travel with their original vaccination card.

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"Proof of Health Insurance":
The BVIs are requiring all travelers to carry a Trip Insurance that covers the cost of COVID-19 treatment and quarantine. The Student Deluxe by TravMark fulfills this requirement. You should make a copy of the benefits page and upload it to your phone. If you did not purchase from Student Deluxe. You still need to purchase a Travel Medical insurance. Here is a link for some inexpensive insurance choices that will fulfill the BVI requirement. To keep the costs a minimum, you can choose not insure the cost of the trip and only select medical coverage outside the USA. Your personal healthcare would cover any costs for treatment in the USA if needed. (sub $20) These policies will produce the "Visa Letter" needed upon purchase. Please enroll for a Travel Medical policy on this website - https://www.insubuy.com/covid19-travel-medical-insurance/

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• Vaccination
  Thank you for You should take the opportunity to be vaccinated against Covid-19! Before venturing on international travel, where you will be required to be tested multiple times for Covid-19 regardless of any symptoms, and with a positive test resulting in a mandatory quarantine period of 14 days (or longer if negative is not obtained in that period). We need all students to take all available opportunities and precautions to reduce the risk of spreading or contracting Covid-19. Please don't let this be political. Doing international travel is a luxury and not a right, one should take all precautions possible to not expose the group or the community being visited to a dangerous virus and getting vaccinated does greatly reduce the possibility that you could be a carrier or that you could be diagnosed while in a foreign country.
• 7-day pre-trip precautionary period
  We require all students take part in a 7-day pre-trip precautionary period before joining a voyage. During this 7-day precautionary period each student must follow all health guidelines and requirements set by their local, state, federal, health authority or governmental organization. All students will need to err on the side of caution during this period by greatly limiting the possibility of exposure. Remember that current infection levels are up to six times higher than they were last year. Your ability to join the voyage is determined by the decisions you make during the precautionary period and you must document and self-certify that you are doing so! Every non-essential social gathering should be left out, including getting together with friends and non-household family, eating in restaurants, or even going to the dentist.
  Even for those that are vaccinated, thank you, you are asked to still be as safe as possible before the voyage.
• Negative COVID-19 Test
  For the Fully Vaccinated: Within 48 hours of arriving in the BVIs, all travelers must have a NEGATIVE test result from a COVID-19 Antigen test. This is a requirement of the British Virgin Islands. The results need to be presentable on an official document (electronic or otherwise) that clearly shows the following:
  

  • Laboratory name and contact details
  • Student’s name
  • Test taken, stating correct type: RT-PCR or Antigen
  • Date and time that the sample was taken
  • Negative result for COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2

  
  
  
  
• • "Fully Vaccinated" travelers do not need to Register for the BVI Gateway.
  
  

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• We need all students to take maximum personal health precautions while traveling to the voyage. This includes wearing a properly fitting N95 or KN95 face mask, not touching your face or eyes, proper hand sanitizing and washing (applying hand sanitizer frequently after touching common surfaces throughout the airport, aircraft, or ground transportation). Remember your nose goes inside of mask. The airlines are not requiring masks but there are plenty of travelers wearing them. You will not be out of place doing so. It is important not to bring COVID19 to our close living conditions aboard the vessels.
  
  In order to be a safe flyer the following PPE Supplies should be carried to an from the voyage:
  
  • Three quality (3) washable cloth face masks
  • Two 3.4oz "travel size" bottles of hand sanitizer
  • Two "travel size" packs of antibacterial wipes to clean common surfaces while traveling.
• Click on the link below and watch a short 2:33m video created by CNN's medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
  Dr. Gupta's tips for staying safe before - and during - your flight
• Click on the link below and watch a short 1:55m video created by CNN's medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
  Dr. Gupta demonstrates how to stay safe on a road trip.

Upon arrival to the BVIs

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US Re-Entry Procedures:
The USA has suspended the re-entry testing requirements.

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• Initial isolation and quarantine of the individual to the greatest extent possible. As this is difficult aboard a vessel, we would prioritize relocating the individual to shore-side accommodations. Depending on the severity of the symptoms it may be necessary for a parent/guardian to travel to the shore-side location to assist the student during recovery. It is a requirement for the student to have travel insurance to cover the cost of any additional lodging or food during an isolation period. Odyssey will work closely with BVI officials and medical professionals to ensure appropriate documentation of the positive test result and subsequent isolation requirement to aid in insurance claims. Parents will be welcomed to join their child in a hotel, and consideration for travel back home will be determined by BVI and international travel rules.
• The student would need to be tested to establish a firm diagnosis, at which time they would be required to vacate the vessel until they can be shown by a test to be infection-free. A known positive diagnosis aboard will require the rest of the vessel’s shipmates and crew to be tested and re-enter a “QUARAN-TEEN”™ period.
• We would follow up with careful monitoring of the health of all of the crew and shipmates aboard and may need to conduct a deep cleaning of the vessel and accommodations.
• It is possible the government may require additional quarantine period and testing should any crew member test positive at any time. The cost for any non-vessel accommodations and all testing falls upon the student and parents.

It must be firmly understood by all participants and parents that the policies of Odyssey Expeditions are not the final say, the government officials may make changes or decide upon additional isolation, quarantines, tests, or protocols and parents and students need to be financially prepared and insured for the potential to any additional changes or expenses. The government could at anytime mandate a stay at a government facility, with the expense as the responsibility of the student and parent.