corona virus alerts - Latest cruising Information for vessels/locations/rules

[lestersails]

Originally Posted by Montanan

Copied from Joli's posting https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...um+-+Emails%29
BViI's A Word of Caution.

It's being reported that the BVI government is impounding and fining any boats sailing in their waters. Do not cross into their territorial waters without express permission from the BVI government. Fines are reported to be $20,000 to $50,000.

Boaters are advised to not sail in the BVI's exclusion zone. Covid-19 protocol.
https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/boat...exclusion-zone

As far as folks are aware, are they still planning on the re-opening December 1?

[Montanan]

BVI Re-Entry Protocol For All Travelers Effective Dec. 1


https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/bvi-...ffective-dec-1

Ministry of Health & Social Development
Topics: Health and Safety, Novel Coronavirus
Release Date:
Tuesday, 10 November 2020 - 11:40pm
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone has announced Cabinet’s decision to require certified RT-PCR Testing at various intervals and sites for all arriving travelers to the Territory.

Health Minister Malone stated that this is part of the Phase Three Testing Protocols which will manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission while reducing quarantine requirements during the incubation period for the disease.

The minister said that Cabinet decided that all travelers will be required to download the approved app and must be issued a Travel Certificate prior to arrival in the Territory. He also explained that the Phase Three Testing Protocols will be applied to all travelers inclusive of Tourists, Residents, Belongers and Work Permit holders.

All incoming travelers will have to provide a certified RT-PCR COVID-19 negative test within five days prior to arrival from low-risk countries and within three days from medium and high-risk countries.

Incoming travelers will also be required to test on arrival, which if negative allows for controlled movement within the confines of an approved property and test after four (4) complete days of quarantine, which if negative would allow for movement within the Territory.

Persons who tests positive for COVID-19 before arrival will not be allowed to enter the Territory. However should a person test positive during any stage after arrival, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

When speaking on quarantine protocols for vessel arrivals, Honourable Malone said that persons will be required to provide a certified RT-PCR Test results and quarantine accommodations aboard vessels.

Persons aboard vessels will also be required to quarantine for four (4) days and can do so on approved vessels which will be able to move within the Territorial waters during the quarantine period. However, those approved vessels may only moor at sites approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development in consultation with the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration.

Honourable Malone stated that Mega Yachts will be approved entry in accordance with established marine protocols, except otherwise as approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development.

He added that Cabinet also recognised specific groups that would need to be exempted from quarantine requirements and agreed on a COVID-19 Quarantine Exemption Protocol. This protocol will outline risk mitigation measures for groups that include aviation, maritime and medical personnel, diplomats and other essential personnel including the judiciary, persons employed in service of the Commonwealth and inter-regional Caribbean Organisations and exceptional essential persons as approved by the Minister for Health and Social Development and the Governor.

“When entering the Virgin Islands, while these groups are exempt from mandatory quarantine, they must register on the BVI Gateway Travel Application, practice self-isolation, and adhere to the various testing requirements outlined in the Quarantine Exemption Protocols,” Honourable Malone said.

[lestersails]

Thanks, Montanan. I must confess that I just don't get it. With cases heading relentlessly up in the US, it would seem dicey to re-open in eight days. I would guess that a large fraction of their tourist base is US. I appreciate their financial desperation, but I can't see how this is a good time to re-open.
Totally different deal for the live aboard types, especially those who may be transiting. That should not be much of a risk.
We shall see, I wish them well.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Thanks, Montanan. I must confess that I just don't get it. With cases heading relentlessly up in the US, it would seem dicey to re-open in eight days. I would guess that a large fraction of their tourist base is US. I appreciate their financial desperation, but I can't see how this is a good time to re-open.
Totally different deal for the live aboard types, especially those who may be transiting. That should not be much of a risk.
We shall see, I wish them well.

Historically, BVI Tourism has been about 85% US based.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by lestersails

Thanks, Montanan. I must confess that I just don't get it. With cases heading relentlessly up in the US, it would seem dicey to re-open in eight days. I would guess that a large fraction of their tourist base is US. I appreciate their financial desperation, but I can't see how this is a good time to re-open.
Totally different deal for the live aboard types, especially those who may be transiting. That should not be much of a risk.
We shall see, I wish them well.

FYI, the exclusion zone was implemented on June 11th, 2020.

Nothing new.

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/boat...exclusion-zone

[Montanan]

US State Department Travel Advisory November 24, 2020.

Travel Advisory – Traveling By Sea Near the British Virgin Islands. Exclusion zone.

U.S. Embassy Bridgetown advises travelers to exercise caution when traveling by sea near the British Virgin Islands including private/charter vessel day cruises. BVI borders are closed to U.S. tourists because of COVID restrictions and the government is strictly adhering to its border restrictions and COVID-19 protocols. Violating current restrictions and protocols may result in criminal charges including detention with the inability to disembark, significant fines, and boat seizure.

The current Travel Advisory Level for the British Virgin Islands is Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.

[atoll]

GRENADA new increased fines and jail term for covid quarantine breakers
https://www.nowgrenada.com/2020/12/g...5NM27ebqvMqtLg

1947 Quarantine Act to be amended to increase penalty for breach of quarantine regulations
Amendment will be laid in the House on Wednesday, 2 December 2020
Fine increased to $25,000 with imprisonment for 1 year

Government is amending the 1947 Quarantine Act to increase the penalty for individuals who breach the Quarantine (Covid-19) regulations. At present the maximum fine for breaching the quarantine regulations is EC$10,000.

According to the amendment which will be laid in the House on Wednesday, 2 December 2020, the Bill is seeking to amend section 7 (2) to increase the maximum penalty from a fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for 6 months, to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for 1 year.

To date, 5 persons are known to be charged by law enforcement for breaching the Covid-19 regulations with the magistrate who dealt with the matter ordering fines ranging between EC$3,000 to EC$5,000. However, because of the nature of the Covid-19 and the impact it can have financially, economically and socially on the country, many citizens have been advocating for an increase in the penalty.

Grenada has recorded 41 laboratory-confirmed cases since the first case was recorded in March with most of the already declared medically recovered. There have been no deaths and no indication of community spread.

This is the first time this legislation, which relates to quarantine and similar matters, is being amended. The 73-year-old legislation provides the Minister for Health with the power to establish a Quarantine Authority and have parliamentarians approve regulations for its effective functioning.

The Quarantine Amendment Bill is also seeking to insert a new section which confers on the Minister the power to make regulations relating specifically to the response to Covid-19 without the requirement for confirmation by the House of Representatives.

“Regulations made under the new section 4A would be subject to negative resolution of the House of Representatives, as opposed to confirmation by the House of Representatives,” is the justification provided in the explanatory notes of the Bill.

[NaClyDog]

Peanuts! The maximum fine for quarantine breakers in Canada is $500,000.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by NaClyDog

Peanuts! The maximum fine for quarantine breakers in Canada is $500,000.

Actually, it can be worse than that.

Canadian Quarantine Act (S.C. 2005, c. 20)
Emergency Orders ➥ https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/...6.html#docCont
Offences and Punishment
Failure to comply
69 Every person who fails to comply with an obligation imposed under section 35, subsection 39(1) or 44(3) or section 51 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $750,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
71 Every person who contravenes subsection 6(2), 8(1) or 34(2) or (3), section 36 or 38, subsection 42(1), section 45 or 50, subsection 54(3), section 58 or 59 or subsection 73(2) or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $750,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
➥ https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/....1/page-7.html

[NaClyDog]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Actually, it can be worse than that.

Canadian Quarantine Act (S.C. 2005, c. 20)
Emergency Orders ➥ https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/...6.html#docCont
Offences and Punishment
Failure to comply
69 Every person who fails to comply with an obligation imposed under section 35, subsection 39(1) or 44(3) or section 51 is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $750,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
71 Every person who contravenes subsection 6(2), 8(1) or 34(2) or (3), section 36 or 38, subsection 42(1), section 45 or 50, subsection 54(3), section 58 or 59 or subsection 73(2) or the regulations is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $750,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
➥ https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/....1/page-7.html

Good catch!


I also just noticed the following as well;

If you choose to break your mandatory quarantine or isolation, resulting in the death or serious bodily harm to another person, you could face:

• a fine of up to $1,000,000 or
• imprisonment of up to 3 years or
• both

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...th-advice.html

[Montanan]

BVI Travellers Staying On Vessels Subject To Quarantine
Press Release

https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/trav...ect-quarantine

Premier's Office
Ministry of Health & Social Development
Topics: National and Marine Parks, Novel Coronavirus
Release Date:
Wednesday, 2 December 2020 - 5:17pm
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially reopened its borders to residents and visitors on December 1st, 2020.

All persons who arrive in the Territory must enter quarantine for a period of four complete days. Persons quarantining on an approved vessel must anchor or dock at the approved mooring sites throughout the duration of the mandatory four day quarantine.

Additionally, vessels are allowed restricted movement in the Territorial waters amongst the areas approved for quarantine mooring sites. Landing on any site is restricted until guests have received an Arrival Day/Day 0 negative PCR test result.

The public is also reminded that vessels must be provisioned before guests arrive and board. The vessel, guests, the entire party and the 30 foot radius around the vessel make up your “mobile bubble.” This “mobile bubble” allow guests to swim and enjoy our Territory within the specified 30 foot radius of the vessel.

Vessels can also visit the list of marine approved sites in the Territory, however vessels are to be anchored or docked by 6:00 p.m. daily at an approved mooring site until 5:00 a.m. the next day.

For further information email reopening@bvitourism.com or WhatsApp 284-496-6129.

[Auspicious]

Thanks. I've heard references to the approved sites but yours is the first chart I've seen.

[Vingt-Knots]

Hi Folks,

For those interested in the current Bonaire regulations on entry/exit via boat you can go to;

Bonairecrisis.com

It is an official government website and does list the latest rules and regulations. Officially the actual regulations are published in Dutch, but the website offers a Q&A section that can be viewed in English. The boat related section is small but it is there.

We should be there late next week, but we are flying in as our boat is already there.

[GordMay]

New Zealand to open travel bubble with Australia in early 2021
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has said that her country hopes to open a travel bubble with Australia, by April next year, provided there are no significant virus outbreaks in either country.
A trans-Tasman travel bubble has been under discussions for months, and many Australian regions have allowed New Zealanders to travel, without quarantine requirements, since October, but New Zealand had not reciprocated this move.
Over the weekend, New Zealand announced a similar plan, for a travel bubble with the Cook Islands, in the first quarter of next year.

[fxykty]

Originally Posted by GordMay

New Zealand to open travel bubble with Australia in early 2021
New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has said that her country hopes to open a travel bubble with Australia, by April next year, provided there are no significant virus outbreaks in either country.
A trans-Tasman travel bubble has been under discussions for months, and many Australian regions have allowed New Zealanders to travel, without quarantine requirements, since October, but New Zealand had not reciprocated this move.
Over the weekend, New Zealand announced a similar plan, for a travel bubble with the Cook Islands, in the first quarter of next year.

Note, the international borders of both NZ and AUS are closed to non-citizens apart from very limited exemptions. Nothing has changed for foreign cruisers entering NZ. Queensland is opened slightly. With the first named cyclone in the SW Pacific heading for Fiji it’s interesting to see if anything changes.