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Correct call was made to secure borders & save lives - Hon Malone

- as calls being made for Territory to re-open tourism sector
Even as calls heighten for the territory to reopen its borders, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) said history will show that the Government made the correct call to secure the borders of the Virgin Islands (VI) as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: VINO/File
Hon Carvin Malone said the administration had to take the risk of not allowing cruise ships to come to the territory based on the state of the pandemic at that time in places like China. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Carvin Malone said the administration had to take the risk of not allowing cruise ships to come to the territory based on the state of the pandemic at that time in places like China. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Even as calls heighten for the Territory to reopen its borders, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) said history will show that the Government made the correct call to secure the borders of the Virgin Islands (VI) as a protective measure during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have to look at the lives and livelihoods and balance both, where are we and where did we come from, where do we want to go. We have to look and appreciate what we were faced with... from the very first ship that we had to make a decision, whether or not they can come and enter the border," Hon Malone said.  

The Minister was at the time speaking on the July 13, 2020, edition of the Umoja show with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju Enka' when he was asked about the economic future of the Territory considering income has been cut as a result of no tourism activity. 

He said the administration had to take the risk of not allowing cruise ships to come to the Territory based on the state of the pandemic at that time in places like China. 

VI had to protect its borders - Hon Malone 

"At that time ships were coming from Italy, coming to Guadaloupe and them coming straight over... we had to protect our borders, protect our citizens and make sure that we made the call."

Hon Malone continued, "History will show that we made the correct call in looking at securing our borders, securing lives, so that livelihoods could be re-established."

Since then, calls have heightened for the Territory to re-open its borders and allow tourism activities to resume in the Territory.

Pointing to the situation in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) with open borders and high COVID-19 cases, Hon Malone said the challenge now is to sit down with various tourism stakeholders and decide a way forward in terms of how to re-establish the industry with protocols for allowing visitors.

13 Responses to “Correct call was made to secure borders & save lives - Hon Malone ”

  • Ghost (21/07/2020, 14:54) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hon. Malone you and your team did the right thing.. don’t worry about the people that’s screaming to open our borders fully.. take your time and come up with a “good” plan to do so.. what our government need to be looking at as well is how we can protect our other islands and cays that Leaves us exposed to persons coming into our country unnoticed thus putting our country at further risk.. no plan will be “full Proof” but we have to try our best.. we also need to order more tests to do more routine testing and make sure that our hospital is equipped with equipment and PPEs.. We have to be a Proactive community rather than a Reactive community-we been reactive far too long.. but keep up the good work you all are trying to do for the safety of us all..
    • Just saying (22/07/2020, 08:01) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree 100 percent with this statement. and the thing that bothers me is if the borders are opened and we catch some cases of this disease and worse case scenario happens where our residents are hit so badly that death is eminent (because God knows we are not the healthiest set of people, we have a presence of issues of Hypertension, Diabetes, Anemia, Kidney disease, Cancer and those recovering from it, Aids or HIV all the chronic diseases that affect our immune systems.) If the worst has to happen, these are the same people who will be the first to have your heads on the chopping block; saying they don't know why they opened borders... or why they were so flippant with the decision. If it is one thing we know we can't please everybody... But it is alright to err on the side of caution. BVI Government... I applaud you for the actions that you have taken so far and I know that there will be difficult times ahead but I know with God's help we can overcome this.

      While on the topic... we do need to look at why we are suffering with all these diseases and try to eradicate the perceived sources. (could it be that we are purchasing items from stores that are labeled "For Export Only" what is in those things that they don't want their citizens ingesting? food for thought. When we buy inferior goods to supply a nation... we get inferior health...inferior minds... and if our nation collectively becomes inferior... well I'll let you think about that. So again in the words of the above blogger we have to be more proactive and not reactive.

      OAN... I suggest that some of the land that we are setting aside for marijuana planting...needs to be offered for regular farming seeing as how our future is uncertain and we may not know where our source of food is coming from especially if the "Great America" happens to declare a state of emergency and close off all its exports. I foresee the President trying to impose a State of Emergency to avoid an Election in order for him to get another term. But that's just my 2 cents..
  • vi (21/07/2020, 15:16) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    How long we have to suffer I working in the tourism industry I am not working I have children to feed when I cannot do no more I will bring them to your door step
  • Proactive. (21/07/2020, 15:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are there steps being taken to develop testing that can produce results quickly, lets say a turn around time of 24-48 hours or less. Individual would be tested before they travel and after they have arrived with special procedure that limits their interaction until the result are in. (Limited to their Yacht or Hotel)
  • teach (21/07/2020, 15:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    @VI EVERY BAD SITUATION HAS A GOOD IN IT. May be this is the lesson let's go back to basics the lesson it takes a community to raise a child. Probably we will all have empathy for each other and learn how important it is to love our neighbors. When our parents didn't have they knew how to ask for a little sugar and so forth. There are still good people with a great heart sometimes you don't even have to ask because they see your need. Help is coming don't loose hope
  • Check the Stats (21/07/2020, 15:48) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    Yes the USVI saw a slight spike in cases but that is now dropping and plans have been put in place to require testing prior to arrival as well as screening on arrival. The USVI govt has a measure approach to increase restrictions when cases are rising and decrease when they are lowering. This keeps the economy functional and tax revenues coming in. Covid is not going away. At some point the BVI will need to open its borders and what then? Better to start opening in a measured way now with precautions in place and learn from the mistakes while you still have an economy left to rescue. This whole knee jerk reaction of lockdown is exemplary of inept leadership. Another shortsight of this article is the thought that the only tourism products are cruise ships. There is a much larger and more resilient tourism product in the villa and yacht rental industries in the BVI but these industries are completely overlooked. Knee jerk lockdowns isolating investors from their assets will leave a big scar on these industries and investors will take their yachts and invest in other territories that are better managed. The BVI will be left behind.
    • Agree (21/07/2020, 17:28) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      Completely agree, we need to move beyond panic now, a plan us essential to survival.
    • Local (21/07/2020, 18:32) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Keep the boarder close look at Bahamas the government have given American tourist a deadline to leave with their disease and have close international flights from the US. Where do we get our tourist from not the US keep it close until they get there act together
  • Outsider (21/07/2020, 17:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Secure boarder and helicopter landing on the eastern side of Jost Van Dyke today!!
  • u (21/07/2020, 17:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ vi for the meantime go cut some one yard life those not revolves around you
  • Calico (21/07/2020, 21:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I applaud everyone’s attempt at keeping your ppl/ safe and protecting our borders. However u r creating a false sense of security. Focus on balancing and putting security measures in place to open your borders. This virus isn’t going anywhere right now. Focus on how as a government we will handle whatever number of cases that will come our way. U can’t keep the borders closed indefinitely.....
  • Nice (21/07/2020, 22:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why these people so egery for the border to open what is that they are trying to say kiss Sahara Sahara what ever will be will be I don't understand


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