The Government of the Virgin Islands has recently indicated that they are willing to review the highly-criticized 8th day PCR test being proposed under the newly-released reopening protocols.
Government’s reopening plan outlined that prior to trvaelling, tourists must submit a negative PCR test result via the BVI Gateway app. Upon arrival in the territory, another test will be administered and on the fourth day they will be re-tested. Once cleared as negative on the fourth day, restricted mobility will be permitted at approved locations, however, a third and final PCR test would be administered on Day 8 and once this test also returns negative, the traveler would be able to move within the Territory, without limitation.
Following heavy criticism and fears that the proposed 8-th day PCR test may further deter tourists from visiting the territory, the Government has indicated their willingness to go back to the drawing board.
Minister of Health Carvin Malone said “we also have the situation in which after day 4 and the particular movement, all the medical persons have cited that we cannot do a 14-day quarantine and build the tourism product. We can’t do a 7 or 8day and build it properly. We have reduced it to 4, however, there is a requirement that the test that is going to be accompanied on the 8th day to make sure that we reduce the percentage of possible occurrence of the virus.”
While the health minister is now willing to revisit the 8th day provision he is still adamant that the process must be guided by health professionals leading the charge for covid-19.
He said “that seems to be the most concern that we have in terms of the number of tests. We’re going to look at this but it must be looked at by the medical professionals. We cannot arbitrarily just say well we don’t want an 8th day test because we don’t feel it’s necessary. We might be doctors overnight but epidemiologists, we’re not. And we have to look in terms of the science behind the particular virus and look in terms of what are the risk percentages that we want to allow.”
Though the 8-day test has elicited dispraise from the local community, Honorable Malone said Government will not be pressured solely on unpopular opinion.
“If we have an outbreak tomorrow the same people who would be looking critically at the measures put in place, will be the very same ones that will turn around the criticism in terms of, what have you done”, the health minister said.
The BVI borders are set to officially reopen on December 1st, 2020 under a newly-rebranded “BVILove” campaign.
Incoming tourist and nationals will be mandated to foot the cost of three PCR tests and the required contact tracing app and bracelet which amounts to an estimated $500 per person.
Since the novel coronavirus hit local shores, the BVI has recorded (72) confirmed cases, a resounding (71) recoveries and (1) death.
The territory’s health authority under the leadership of health minister, Honorable Carvin Malone, have been praised for maintaining relatively low numbers of infections which came at the expense of closed borders and a heavy decrease in economic activity.