The British Virgin Islands is among 16 countries which include 10 Caribbean islands that have been added to the United Kingdom’s Green Watch List for Travel from June 30.
This announcement was first made by UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps who tweeted the news on social media on Thursday June 24.
The other 9 Caribbean islands include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands.
This ultimately means that fully vaccinated persons from the BVI once in possession of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival into the UK will not have to quarantine.
Travelers should also note that the no quarantine measure will not qualify for those persons who leave from green listed countries and have to transit through amber listed or red listed countries to the UK.
Upon hearing the news Governor John Rankin issued a statement on the new measure, stating it is good news for the territory.
He said, “This means anyone visiting or returning to the UK directly from the BVI via Antigua will not have to quarantine on arrival. This change will allow those in the UK and those in the BVI who wish to visit each other, or holiday to do so unhindered (if fully vaccinated at least two weeks before returning to the BVI).”
A need to vaccinate
Governor Rankin also highlighted the importance of why more persons need to become vaccinated.
“As a territory, as we slowly start to return to normal, it is even more important for individuals to ensure they are vaccinated to protect themselves, their families and the territory. The current stock of vaccines expires on the 31st July, those that wish to be fully vaccinated before the 31st are advised to take their first shot before the 3rd July,” he added.
The BVI presently has 13 active COVID-19 cases of which 3 were detected on Day Zero screening, 3 on Day Four screening and 7 on Day Seven screening.