Persons requiring a COVID-19 test for travel purposes are reminded to make an appointment three days prior to the confirmed date of travel.

Medical Officer, Dr. Christine Harry said the BVI Health Services Authority has been having issues with people visiting the authority without appointments for COVID-19 tests and are demanding that results be available the following day.

Dr. Harry said while the authority is doing its best not to turn people away, it is having technical issues with the impromptu testing.

“As a result, there are more people being tested with wrong spellings, incorrect dates of birth and even wrong gender on their paperwork,” the medical officer said. She added, “The laboratory team will not correct any results already printed, if the paper work is submitted with inaccuracies.”

Persons requiring a COVID-19 test for travel purposes are asked to email covidrrt@bvihsa.vg within three days of scheduled travel. A form will be emailed to the sender to be completed with details needed to make the appointment. If more than one person is traveling, one form must be completed for each traveler. Individuals are asked to ensure that all the information included on the form is spelt correctly and is accurate.

Persons needing a COVID test for medical purposes should also make an appointment and follow the same guidelines.  Processing of results takes 24 to 36 hours and the cost of the test is $70.00.

The BVI Health Services Authority is committed to delivering excellent, compassionate, client-centered healthcare across the Territory.