24-hr curfew: No visits to beaches, roadside garbage bins or extended dog walks
“I repeat again, you will be required to stay at home.”
These were the words of Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert this evening, March 26, 2020 as he made an appeal during a live update on the Government Facebook page for the public to strictly adhere to the curfew put in place to curtail the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Virgin Islands announced two confirmed cases of the virus on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
‘Think of it as a daytime and night-time curfew’
According to Governor Jaspert, the curfew from 8:00pm on Friday to 6:00am on April 2, 2020 is in effect a shutdown of the Territory and “where we are asking people to stay at home. Shops, including supermarkets and pharmacies will not be opened. Businesses will not be open. Support will be available to those who need it.”
“Friday therefore would be the last normal day, in terms of being able to go out. That doesn’t mean, I have said before, that you gather in big groups, that you ignore the advice being given about social distancing, practicing safe distancing, practicing safe hygiene.”
The Governor admonished that persons are expected to remain in their homes with their family or those living under the same roof as them.
“Think of it as a daytime and night-time curfew…This means no travelling to the nearest garbage roadside collection, no extended dog walks. It also means that the curfew extends to the beaches and any other activities in or on the water.”
He further said police will be patrolling and will enforce the curfew “and they do have powers to arrest for breach of the curfew if necessary.”
‘Unprecedented situation requires unprecedented actions’
Governor Jaspert continued that the Virgin Islands is faced with an unprecedented situation and requires unprecedented actions to protect public health and to save lives.
He added that Cabinet is aware the restrictions will create hardships for businesses and employees and “for all of us as individuals but they are necessary and we do not undertake them lightly.”
He said the measure being taken will significantly reduce the chance of the virus spreading further as the best way is to distance oneself from each other.
“I know many of you have questions over the legalities of these measures. They are being taken under the Curfew Act 2017 and in line with our constitution. The specific Curfew Order will be amended slightly to learn from earlier experiences, to include both essential and a new category of critical workers, such as those critical to maintaining areas such as the supply chain of key food and fuel services, service emergencies and vets.”
51 Responses to “24-hr curfew: No visits to beaches, roadside garbage bins or extended dog walks”
The government isn't asking you to climb a mountain, or dig a ditch. It is asking you to STAY HOME. Stay home to save lives and keep our community protected. Why is this such a challange?
What will it take for you people to realise how serious this is? The death of your mother, your sister, your child?
Observe the curfew. The temporary discomfort is worth preserving our loved ones.
(a) persons employed in the essential services as defined in section 3 of the Labour Code, 2010, if they are on duty;
(b) officers of private security service providers as defined in section 2 of the Private Security Industry Act, 2007, if they are on duty;
(c) customs and immigration officers, if they are on duty;
(d) public and private sector waste management services;
(e) fuel distribution and delivery services;
(f) public and private sector social care providers;
(g) Courts (Senior Magistrate and Coroner);
(h) mortuary services;
(i) humanitarian support;
(j) emergency call handlers;
(k) freight, courier and cargo distribution;
(l) Apostille and related statutory services;
(m) laundry services;
(n) media and broadcast providers;
(o) farming, agriculture, fisheries and veterinary service;
(p) transportation services (providing transportation for essential and critical operations);
(q) supermarkets and restaurants (providing services to and for essential and critical operations); and
(r) health and emergency operations centre.
Friday 27 March from 8pm to Thursday 2 April 6am
Saturday - 1 day
Sunday - 1 day
Monday - 1 day
Tuesday - 1 day
Wednesday- 1 day
Thursday - 6am all clear hopefully we’ll be back to living
That’s FIVE (5) days.
....
You all have to remember that the government is not doing us a favour; they are trying to save our lives! What do you prefer - a few days of inconvenience or few days hooked to a respirator? Come on, man! Be reasonable. Stop the fussing and complaining.
Personally I think the curfew is too short. It should have been for a minimum of fourteen days.
Do your best to make do why are you stressing yourselves out?
Try to get the bulk of your food waste out today. Get a container to seal those types of waste that have ridiculous odors. When you use canned goods like tuna fish etc. wash out the can instead of leaving it there to rot and smell. This is a part of the way we can help the bvi to get green in the future learning how to self sustain. If you live on your own land bury the vegetable peels and other items that can become compost. The plants around will thank you. Less trash to throw out and helping to make the soil more fruitful. We will be mindful of the things that we use and the things that we throw away, we will stop wasting food. Take it up as a challenge... how can I reduce my trash this week...these are questions we should have been asking long time. Gardening is a great past time... y’all acting like in the next 5 days we will be subjected to post Irma-like conditions people you still have electricity and water for now. Quit complaining. It could be far worse. Read your bible to pass the time and develop a relationship with the Lord for it isn’t too late yet.
For those of you who hate your houses... I dunno what to tell you. My house may be tiny but I am comfortable in my house and in my quarters and by myself I do consider myself good company... if you are not comfortable with yourself then you are saying that you don’t like yourself or you don’t consider yourself good company. It will be hard for some relationships right now spending 24 hours for 5 days. Coming out of this you will be able to appreciate things more. Don’t get paranoid take things a day at a time. Learn to live with yourself because if you have a hard time living with you then what do you expect for the rest of us... MOVING FORWARD ON A POSITIVE NOTE!!!!
Stop stressing, people. Better to be safe than sorry. This too shall pass.
Be Blessed!
Slavery would be suitable for some of allyo who are lost if not being driven and toiling for someone else. Sad indeed.