Bryan said pilot COVID-19 airport testing began in U.S. Virgin Islands

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said during a Sept. 21, 2020 press conference that the pilot phase for COVID-19 testing at the territory’s airports began over the weekend of Sept. 19-20, 2020.

The administration said the Department of Tourism had created a portal in June 2020 for travelers to upload negative test results before traveling to the territory. The Department of Health, working with the Virgin Islands National Guard, also expanded screening protocols at airport terminals, including pilot testing at the airports.

According to the government, the Department of Health tested 34 incoming passengers during the Sept. 19-20, 2020 weekend, including six at Cyril E. King Airport and 29 at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. The testing identified and isolated a COVID-19-positive traveler returning to St. Croix.

Bryan also said the moratorium on leisure travel bookings for hotels, guest houses, Airbnbs and similar lodging businesses, as well as guest check-ins at those establishments, was lifted on Sept. 19, 2020.

He said all travelers entering the territory, including Virgin Islands residents returning home, were required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within five days before travel.

The government said that as of Sept. 21, 2020, the territory had 64 active COVID-19 cases. It said there were no COVID-19-positive patients at Juan Luis Hospital and five COVID-19-positive patients at Schneider Regional Medical Center.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-updates-public-on-covid-testing-at-vi-airports/