Travel Experiences To/From USVI During The COVID Pandemic

Thanks for starting this....

I do have a question maybe someone can help with...

Do you have to have a negitive test if going to STX from either San Juan PR or St Thomas? 

Not sure about PR, but you don’t from STT.  

Out of curiousity, where did you find data on airlines that relates to how they handle covid?

@gettermoving

To get the most current information on each airline, you need to check each company's web site.

You can get information regarding current rules the VI has at https://usvitravelportal.com/

You must have a negative covid-19 test within 3 days of travel or documentation that you've recently recovered. Make sure to print and take to the airport because you may be required to present it to the airline to board your flight.

There are new CDC rules being implemented next week ( January 26th) regarding international travel to the US - note that travel from the VI is NOT considered international under this rule, so no covid-19 test is required to travel to the mainland: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html

 Also, on a side note, American has begun filling center seats and Delta is still keeping center seats open at the moment.

Posted by: @gettermoving

Out of curiousity, where did you find data on airlines that relates to how they handle covid?

https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/what-to-expect.html?campaign_type=cce#safe-travels-with-science

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official said Tuesday January 26 2021 that restrictions requiring travelers to test negative for COVID-19 before flying domestically in the U.S. are being seriously considered.

U.S. 'actively looking' at mandating COVID-19 testing for ... (trust.org)

Posted by: @gators_mom

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official said Tuesday January 26 2021 that restrictions requiring travelers to test negative for COVID-19 before flying domestically in the U.S. are being seriously considered.

I've been thinking that people who travel should be given priority on vaccinations, regardless of age or other factors.  This would speed the recovery of the the entire hospitality industry which has been disproportionally hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

@gators_mom

I think the airlines would lobby against this. They are losing too much money as it is. This would inconvenience people too much...unless they do a rapid test that gives results in 15 mins or so....but even then, look at the recent case in New Zealand. That women tested negitive twice, quarantined in the hotel, and was still a spreader.

If you want to stop the spread, stop people from traveling for a period of time. It's the only way. 

Posted by: @stxdreaming1

If you want to stop the spread, stop people from traveling for a period of time. It's the only way. 

If you want to stop the spread of COVID-19 you need to lock everyone (and I mean everyone) in their homes for an extended period of time.  This would be a draconian form of Marshall Law similar to what went on in Wuhan, China at the beginning of the outbreak, I don't think this is possible in a free society.  As long as people are moving around the virus will be transmitted.

I also believe that the hotel, airline and cruse ship industries would activly welcome travelers being given priority for vaccinations.  The CEO of United (Kirby) said the other day he wants to require all employees to have vaccinations.  Testing isn't sufficient as there is an incubation period where virus has been transmitted but is below the detection limits of the current tests.  This or poor testing protocols are the most likely answers to what happened in New Zealand.

We also need a vaccine passport, as a way of differentiating and identifying people who have been vaccinated.  Incentives are needed to get people to become vaccinated as a large proportion of the population is still skeptical and reluctant to submit to the vaccine, not mention the process for getting vaccinated is vague at best.

I would think sooner or later we'll all have an app on our smartphones that identifies our COVID status, vaccinations and tracks our movements and who we've had close contact with, similar to the COVIDSafe app used in Australia. My son lives in Melbourne where its essentially COVID free now and they use it all the time.

@vicanuck

But, but , but.....This is America! We have or freedoms. We have our rights. You can't tell me what to do! I'll do what I want and you can't stop me.  You can't take away my rights! ? 

And because of that mentality we have the highest COVID death rate in the world....

@cruzaniron

You're exactly right! Most American's would not submit to this type of surveillance app just as they resist wearing masks and quarantining.

However, its because of these measures, and severe restrictions on air travel into Australia and New Zealand, that has resulted in the virus being almost completely eliminated in these countries.

This week, my son and his GF are enjoying a week vacation in Tasmania with no masks, no social distancing, no restaurant restrictions, etc. because of these measures.

Most American's just don't get it.

We flew down in early December. We drove to Atlanta so we could fly direct. We had to pay to get rapid tests done because the regular testing was going to cut it too close. We wore N95 masks and face shields (mostly for the kids to remember not to touch their faces). We flew Delta 1st class to make sure we would have anyone too close.

From what I have read, I felt like flying would be pretty safe as long as masks were kept on 100% of the time, so the kids knew there would be absolutely no eating or drinking from the time we stepped into the ATL airport to when we arrived in STT. It's only a 3.5 hour flight so I was pretty annoyed to see so many people immediately taking off their masks to eat food they brought on the plane. Including the guy right in front of us. Who then went into the line for people who didn't get tested and would voluntarily quarantine, yeah right. Anyway..

We had to get tested for the kids to start school so we layed low until we got those negative tests back as well.

Additionally, me and my husband, my whole family and almost everyone we know has already gotten the vaccine. Mostly bc they work for the university or the government. We were able to squeeze in when someone didn't show up. Unfortunately a lot of people here don't trust the vaccine which is how we were able to get it, but hoping we can still reach immunity relatively quickly being so so small. 

That was our experience and we are so thankful to be here.

@scout77

I'm trying to understand your thinking in this situation; 

You are so concerned about getting the virus that you got a vaciene (well within your rights), yet you are OK with getting into a metal tube with 100 plus people all in close quarters. You are aware some govnerment representatives are staying the virus is still spreadable after receiving the vaccine?

Everyone had negitive tests to get on the plane, yet you are annoyed at people taking their masks off to eat and drink, which is perfectly allowed per airline policy.

Sounds to me like you should have charted a private jet to STT. 

@stxdreaming1

Yes, I am very concerned about the global pandemic and I think getting as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible is the only thing that will end it so I definitely got it when given the chance.

I didn't love the idea of flying, but after researching the masks and the air filtration we decided it was something we were comfortable with.

Everyone did not have a negative test to get on the plane. Many of them did the self quarantine line.  I am annoyed that the policy of the airline is that you didn't have to have a negative test and you could take off you mask to eat and drink. That doesn't make sense to me. 

And yes of course I am aware they do not know if the virus is transmittable after the vaccine so we won't be changing any of our precautions (distancing, masks, etc). 

Posted by: @vicanuck

However, its because of these measures, and severe restrictions on air travel into Australia and New Zealand, that has resulted in the virus being almost completely eliminated in these countries.

That's a total false equivalency! Yes, those measures have of course helped, but they are not the only reason the virus has been conquered on those places.  NZ and Australia have miniscule populations compared to the us and are also some of the most isolated places on Earth.  Australia has 25 million people, the US has 330 million.  If you added another 305 million people to Australia, and moved it into the northern hemisphere, I guarantee you they would not have had near the success with COVID they've had.

The US has a high COVID rate because it is populated by COVIDiots. Among them my entire extended family in the Midwest. 

1. Completed VI Travel Screening Portal requirements within 5 days of departure. No problems. Tested negative for Covid.
2. Our 1/29/21 AA flight from Charlotte arrived 1st before AA Miami & Spirit. We were processed thru Covid screening in less than 5 minutes. They were well organized. They took all our printed paperwork from the VI Travelers screening Portal.
3. Pleasant experience.

Posted by: @cruzaniron

@vicanuck

 

But, but , but.....This is America! We have or freedoms. We have our rights. You can't tell me what to do! I'll do what I want and you can't stop me.  You can't take away my rights! ? 

 

And because of that mentality we have the highest COVID death rate in the world....

 

https://www.voanews.com/covid-19-pandemic/britain-hits-highest-covid-19-death-rate-capita-world

Posted by: @cruzaniron

@vicanuck

 

But, but , but.....This is America! We have or freedoms. We have our rights. You can't tell me what to do! I'll do what I want and you can't stop me.  You can't take away my rights! ? 

 

And because of that mentality we have the highest COVID death rate in the world....

 

https://www.axios.com/highest-covid-19-death-rates-world-belgium-fd3de974-070f-4f74-88e4-b97bbc69eb2f.html even when trump was president in december we didnt have the highest rates

Posted by: @gators_mom

The US has a high COVID rate because it is populated by COVIDiots. Among them my entire extended family in the Midwest. 

 

 

 

High, but not the highest 

Posted by: @jaldeborgh

Posted by: @stxdreaming1

If you want to stop the spread, stop people from traveling for a period of time. It's the only way. 

If you want to stop the spread of COVID-19 you need to lock everyone (and I mean everyone) in their homes for an extended period of time.  This would be a draconian form of Marshall Law similar to what went on in Wuhan, China at the beginning of the outbreak, I don't think this is possible in a free society.  As long as people are moving around the virus will be transmitted.

I also believe that the hotel, airline and cruse ship industries would activly welcome travelers being given priority for vaccinations.  The CEO of United (Kirby) said the other day he wants to require all employees to have vaccinations.  Testing isn't sufficient as there is an incubation period where virus has been transmitted but is below the detection limits of the current tests.  This or poor testing protocols are the most likely answers to what happened in New Zealand.

We also need a vaccine passport, as a way of differentiating and identifying people who have been vaccinated.  Incentives are needed to get people to become vaccinated as a large proportion of the population is still skeptical and reluctant to submit to the vaccine, not mention the process for getting vaccinated is vague at best.

how would a covid card show you dont have covid and cant pass covid? 

@speee1dy

No idea I didn't say that.