USVI: ‘We’re Americans too’
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism has a message for all US travelers: When you visit us you are still on American soil.
It is trying to dispel any confusion over its sovereignty and states a journey from the USVI back home doesn’t require a negative Covid test, as is the case for all other international journeys.
Like Puerto Rico the U.S. Virgin Islands is an American overseas territory and doesn’t require a passport for entry.
Likewise a trip is considered a domestic journey and no Covid test result is required on return to the US mainland.
The CDC mandated all arriving air travelers must have proof of a negative Covid test before boarding an international flight to the US.
"We, too, are American," said Commissioner Joseph Boschulte.
"The new requirements do not apply to persons traveling or returning directly from the U.S. Virgin Islands to the US mainland. If you are leaving St. Thomas or St. Croix and you are heading to or returning to the US mainland, the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require passengers to test," he said.
People traveling to the USVI must continue to submit a Covid-19 negative test result prior to traveling to the territory on the Travel Screening Portal at usvitravelportal.com.
It must be taken within five days of commencement of travel.
Boschulte wants to clear up the confusion and affirms a flight back to the US mainland from the USVI is considered domestic.
"Due to COVID-19, there are more travel protocols and restrictions in place now than ever before, and we realize that travelers may be overwhelmed and confused by the different requirements established by local, state or national authorities," he added.
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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