The US Virgin Islands, which reopened for tourism last month and has updated some of its protocols for incoming visitors, has launched a new pre-screening portal for all travelers visiting the destination. 

In other words, if you’re planning to visit the US Virgin Islands, the portal is the first step. 

The goal of the new interface is to reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to the USVI Department of Tourism. 

The new portal, which can be found here, “facilitates pre-arrival processing, thereby improving efficiency, reducing delays, and providing a more seamless traveler experience,” according to a statement. 

The portal comprises a series of pages, including General Information, Terms and Conditions, Traveler Information, and the COVID-19 Traveler Screening Tool. 

All travelers from “highly-impacted areas” must upload their recent COVID-19 test results. 

What does “highly-impacted” mean?

All travelers aged 15 and older whose home state (state of residence) has a COVID-19 positivity rate greater than 10 percent will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test result received within five days prior to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Right now, that includes states like Florida and Texas, for example.

Travelers can also submit positive COVID-19 antibody test results received within four months of travel to the USVI.

The information is then processed within 48 hours, and a certification code is issued. 

The USVI Department of Tourism said that, for most travelers, the portal screening and certification would eventually replace the existing manual procedure, which requires the physical completion and review of the COVID-19 Traveler Screening Tool at the Territory’s ports of entry.

“Our team has been working tirelessly to adapt to a rapidly changing operational environment in this ‘Open Doors’ phase of the pandemic,” said Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte. “And we continue to update our practices and procedures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials.” 

For more, visit the USVI Travel Advisory.

Or visit the Prescreening Portal.

— CJ