Covid Testing for Travel: Our Experience Going to the U.S. Virgin Islands

Thankfully this is no longer required to visit the USVI.

We just got back from a fabulous scuba diving vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was wonderful and well worth jumping through hoops to get there.

When we booked, it sounded simple enough. All we needed to do was to take a covid test a few days prior to getting there and submit the results on the USVI Travel Screening Portal. How hard can that be?

As the date approached, we saw an article about a couple stuck in quarantine in Hawaii because they had the right test but from the wrong lab. Concerned, we decided we better double check all the requirements!

The USVI requires one of three tests done no more than 5 days prior to entering: a Covid-19 molecular (RT-PCR, viral or nucleic acid amplification) or Covid-19 rapid antigen test or a Covid-19 rapid antibody test. And then, you have to upload them to a screening portal which can take up to 48 hours to grant entry.

This means that you need to do your Covid-19 test between day 5 and 3 prior to departure. After reading the fine print we also found out that only FDA tests with an EUA are acceptable. Further, only CLIA certified labs are accepted for administering the tests.

Originally, we figured we’d simply go to our local Walgreens pharmacy. We quickly learn however that they only do PCR tests and results can take up to 5 days, which won’t work. On top of that, when we asked the lab tech if they were CLIA certified, we got a blank stare followed by an “I think so?”! Not sure I would want to hinge my vacation deposit on that!

The CDC has a search engine for finding CLIA labs. Our search resulted in discovering that our Publix pharmacy is listed as compliant. Great! We head over to ask and are told by the pharmacist: “Sorry, we no longer do testing”. Oops, I guess the CDC list is not up to date.

Next, we find another Walgreens close by that’s also listed as CLIA certified and head over there. Again, not good, they require 72 hours for results, which would cut things very close.

Then, we head to our urgent care center. It looks like they use a lab which is named on the list but has a different address. So, is it good? Who can you ask? We have a lot at stake. Visions of being denied boarding or entry have us thinking we should get one of each test to be sure.

Adding to our concern, the CDC list of labs also shows that the labs have different status types such as “Waiver”, “Compliance”, or “Accreditation”. What does it all mean?

We write to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism for clarification about the acceptable Covid-19 tests to submit to the USVI Travel Screening Portal. They write back explaining that the CLIA status is related to the type of test being administered by the testing facility or clinic. Of the tests accepted by the USVI Travel Screening Portal:

• PCR requires “Compliance” or “Accreditation”
• ID Now and Binax are “Waiver”
• Antigen and antibody tests may be “Waiver” or “PPM” but if it is not an FDA EUA test it requires “Compliance” or “Accreditation”

They tell us that the test results must be valid, clear and legible, and include your name, date of birth, phone number and email address. The lab or testing facility, date and type of test, and lab result are also required. We are told to be sure to have all this info so we can enter it on the travel screening portal.

We are now getting worried and seriously wondering if we will ever make it to St. Thomas for our scuba diving vacation!

Finally, we find a private clinic that seemingly checks all the boxes. The lab is certified, they use the right test, and they can get results to us the same day. Great!

We make our reservations and when the time comes, we head out to get the tests done on day 5 prior to departure. Pulling up, we are surprised to see that the sign on the store front says, “Lice Clinic”! Is this really the CLIA certified lab? We go in and see a pile of covid tests in boxes and the friendly nurse assures us that we are in the right place.

In the end, we had to pay $150 each but it gave us some peace of mind and we got our results the same day. My husband got his in 15 minutes, but I had a momentary scare when mine didn’t come in. A quick call to the lab resolved the issue and my ‘negative’ result was sent. I discovered it in my junk mail.

With all the information and test results now at hand, we entered our info on the USVI Travel Screening Portal. The next day we received our QR green code which meant that we were approved for entry. We still breathed a sigh of relief once we were past the screening agent in the USVI.

Long story short. Check carefully what the requirements are for your destination. Give yourself extra time to find the lab and testing that you need, don’t leave it to the last minute and be sure to read the fine print. Check the information as your departure date approaches, as things are fluid and changing. You don’t want to be left out in the cold in quarantine looking at the beach from a closed hotel window!

*This information is strictly for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The British Virgin Islands have different entry requirements. Make sure you have the updated information you need to travel with peace of mind when you reach your destination.

**As of March 7, 2022, fully vaccinated domestic travelers no longer need to take a pre-departure covid test. but they still need to provide proof of vaccination.