BVI News

Long wait for COVID results frustrating some travellers?

Chaunci Cline

Chaunci Cline, one of the leaders of the BVI Chamber of Commerce & Hotel Association’s (BVICCHA) said the long wait for COVID-19 test results has frustrated some travellers and poses threat to the BVI’s reputation as a premier tourism destination.

According to the BVI’s COVID-19 protocol, incoming travellers are required to take a COVID test when they land and the result is expected to be returned in 24-36 hours.

Another COVID test is administered after four days but in an interview with 284 Media, Cline said some travellers are not leaving the BVI “in ease” because wait times for COVID tests are not always adhered to.

“Some travellers are not getting their test results in an adequate amount of time and that in turn creates frustration and that message goes beyond our borders. We have to be very careful … If the economy is going to turn the tide then we have to do everything in our power to make sure people come in ease and leave in ease, not to leave in frustration. That’s a lasting impression and we don’t want the world to get the impression that we’re not prepared and we can’t manage our processes,” Cline explained.

She added that the BVICCHA still has many questions about the April 15 reopening of the seaports such as whether a certain number of visitors will be allowed into the territory daily.

The BVICCHA has been advocating for a bigger role in the government’s plan to revive the economy.

“Will there be a daily allowance? If so, how many through the various seaports? How will people traverse from coming into Road Town to Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda and other points on the outer islands which are key to the economy,” Cline stated.

The reopening of the territory’s seaports has been extended twice. Thus the business community and the general community are anxious to see whether the April 15 reopening date will be realized.

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16 Comments

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  1. Spirit says:

    Also, the hundreds of dollars in transportation costs that tourists pay to get to their approved accommodations on the sister islands of Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada. The government doesn’t allow these tourists to take a public ferry and refuses to publicly disclose the cost for boat transportation. This hurts the tourists and hurts the businesses on the sister islands.

    The government quickly deleted their social media post about this policy because they want to keep it secret for fear of scaring away tourists.

    Like 24
    Dislike 2
  2. Typical says:

    This is typical with getting anything done in the BVI, turn-around time is never respected, be it the banks, immigration, other gov offices, local service providers. People have no sense of care or urgency for doin their jobs and doing it efficiently. Sad to say we have gotten complacent with this “it will get done with it gets done” mentality. If u say a process should take x amount of time, there is no way the costumer/client should be hunting you down weeks after weeks to produce, much less if they are PAYING. IT IS YOUR JOB!!! Start holding the individuals tasked, responsible for their actions or lack thereof! END. Of. STORY

    Like 47
    Dislike 1
  3. Yup says:

    The Belonger has no work ethic. They are given a job and they do as little as possible. There is hardly a care because nothing affects them. This all starts at the top and trickles down through the entire government. This may only change once the Brits take over. We are waiting patiently.

    Like 28
    Dislike 6
    • Nope says:

      I’m waiting too. British marines will be back soon and governor will be our leader. He will sort things out for us. Get rid of all the crooked belongers in government. Open up government for commonwealth ctitizens.

      Like 11
      Dislike 10
  4. bottom line says:

    The health workers are a waste of time

    Like 2
    Dislike 4
  5. Hotelier says:

    This organization does not represent the vast majority of hotels and restaurants because the vast majority of hotels and restaurants are not members of it. And those running it are government cronies and relatives, not people working in or with experience of the industry.

    Like 6
    Dislike 2
  6. Robert says:

    Some people think the tourists have unlimited money. Truth is that in many cases, the cost of their vacation to the BVI is a huge expense. Many can only afford this type of vacation once in their life. Please don’t assume that all the tourists don’t count their pennies.

  7. lol says:

    sound like Kittian hill

  8. lol says:

    Need to look into the change in laboratory management and make sure only qualified and licensed persons are working there.

  9. Wellsah says:

    Hospital is full of f**k! They need to start paying their staff their overtime then maybe things will go smooth! When people have to ask them for their money then they want to send them home! Sickening!

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