30 December 2020

Season’s Greeting and Happy New Year to All! 

On the 8^th of December, the first UK patients and hospital staff receiving the Covid-19 vaccine said it was “the best Christmas present ever” and I think we all received the gift of ‘hope’ that day.  We can now look forward to 2021 with renewed optimism, as life could return to something resembling normal by the summer!

Meanwhile, having experienced the onerous Entry Protocols and testing regimen first-hand, and with concerning Coronavirus rates in the USA/Europe, the difficult decision has been made to keep our hotel rooms closed until March 2021. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

As the vaccines become more widely available, we hope the Government will revise their protocols and remove the quarantine requirement for tourists. Hopefully, March 2021 is a realistic timeline for this, but we shall continue to keep you informed as we receive details from the authorities.

We are continuing to move forward with our plans to provide limited shoreside services next month and will provide further updates here, and also on our Facebook page:cooperislandbeachclub

 

25 November 2020

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends around the globe! We are thankful for the news of encouraging vaccine trials and hope that travel to the BVI with friends and family will soon become much easier.

Sadly, the current Entry Protocols have resulted in the mass cancellation of charter yacht vacations and our own hotel bookings for the remainder of 2020.  We are therefore unable to open the resort on the 1^st December when the BVI borders reopen to international visitors. However, we are moving forward with plans to enable us to provide limited shoreside services in the near future and will provide further updates here and on our Facebook page: cooperislandbeachclub

In the meantime, Moor-SeaCure Ltd. continue to service and maintain the 40 mooring buoys in Manchioneel Bay (orange pre-reserved buoys and white FCFS mooring balls). Both can be paid via the BoatyBall App or online at www.BoatyBall.com to avoid any in-person contact. 

Due to the ongoing pandemic situation in the USA and Europe, hotel reservations may be re-booked for any available date for up two years from original travel date at the same rate. Please contact us directly via email: [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

 

20 November 2020

The new BVI Reopening Steering Committee, referred to as Steerco is providing daily updates on reopening protocols, including testing, quarantine procedures, and Gold Seal training. The committee was created to ensure that there is a safe and successful reopening of the Territory’s borders and provides answers to frequently asked questions from the public.

The Government of the Virgin Islands are continuing to modify/clarify the Entry Protocols. The PCR testing requirements within 3 Days of travel has been changed to 5 days. Visitors are now allowed to quarantine aboard their yacht at Government approved sites and enjoy the water within 30ft of their yacht. Once their negative PCR tests are received on Day 5, visitors may then move freely in the BVI.  Information regarding travel into the Territory and the daily public briefing videos can be found at facebook.com/BVIGovernment  and bvitourism.com/reopening.

10 November 2020

After further consultation with the Marine Industry and Tourism Stakeholders, the Government of the Virgin Islands have now revised their Entry Protocols as follows:

We are pleased that the process has been simplified and costs reduced, but the 4-Day Quarantine period is continuing to have a severe impact upon charter yacht bookings. The Minister has also indicated that the return of day-boats from the USVI may not be considered until March 2021. With these two pillars of our business so drastically affected, and most of our hotel guests already opting to postpone until Spring 2021, we are now exploring options for re-opening in a reduced capacity in the coming months. Many questions still remain regarding ‘approved mooring sites’ and where the PCR testing must be undertaken, but we will provide updates as soon as possible.

Due to the continued uncertainty in the BVI, USA and Europe, hotel reservations may be re-booked for any available date for up two years from original travel date at the same rate. Please contact us directly via email: [email protected] to discuss your requirements.

We would like to thank the ‘friends of Cooper Island’ for their ongoing support and look forward to welcoming you all back to the British Virgin Islands soon!