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COVID-19: VI the envy of the C'bean right now- Dr Pickering

- supports Government's control measures
Former Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering says with COVID-19 cases spiking around the world and in the region, the Virgin Islands (VI) remains in a very good position regarding its control of the pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
On Friday, August 14, 2020, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced that Phase 2 of the restricted border re-opening plan will commence from September 1, 2020.
On Friday, August 14, 2020, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced that Phase 2 of the restricted border re-opening plan will commence from September 1, 2020.
Dr. Pickering said with the both US and CDC issuing travel restrictions to several regional neighbours, the VI has so far done a great job at controlling the pandemic. Photo: Internet Source
Dr. Pickering said with the both US and CDC issuing travel restrictions to several regional neighbours, the VI has so far done a great job at controlling the pandemic. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Former Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr Kedrick D. Pickering says with COVID-19 cases spiking around the world and in the region, the Virgin Islands (VI) remains in a very good position regarding its control of the pandemic.

"The cases are spiking all around us and when you consider that the majority of our visitors come from the United States... we are the envy of the Caribbean right now, people are asking the question what have we done to be in this position," he said during an interview on 284 Media on August 12, 2020.

According to the medical doctor, with regards to the full opening of the Territory, he said it is easy for persons to call for the re-opening of borders; however, outsiders may not be preview to the full data that is informing Government's decision to keep the borders restricted.

Regional governments and the United Nations (UN) have commended the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government for its handling of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, on Friday, August 14, 2020, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced that Phase 2 of the restricted border re-opening plan will commence.

No announcement for full border re-opening. 

In this new phase, Work Permit and Work Permit Exemption Holders will be allowed entry into the Territory from September 1, 2020, once they meet a list of requirements.

Government; however, is yet to announce the date for full border re-opening to allow visitors, such as tourists, entry into the Territory. 

According to Dr Pickering, ahead of that decision, "We have to wait and be patient to be able to make the decision to open our borders and of course, it has to be regulated and it has to be controlled," Dr Pickering said.

He said with both the US and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing travel restrictions to several regional neighbours, the VI has so far done a great job at controlling the pandemic.

The Virgin Islands has had just 9 confirmed cases of COVID-19, inclusive of 1 death, with no active cases of the virus as of August 16, 2020.

27 Responses to “COVID-19: VI the envy of the C'bean right now- Dr Pickering ”

  • The TRUTH (17/08/2020, 15:50) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Thank you for the kind words, Picko.
    • Immune (17/08/2020, 18:25) Like (0) Dislike (31) Reply
      Virgin Islanders seem to be immune - only Island people, foreign lawyers, and Filipinos seem to be at risk.
      • StopItNow (17/08/2020, 19:00) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Immune is no Virgin Islander. It is likely the person does not even live here and their agenda to cause confusion. The news sites need to stop allowing these comments.
  • lol (17/08/2020, 16:12) Like (22) Dislike (31) Reply
    Why we always have to make things much more than what they are? Envy of what Caribbean? There are islands making money right now and people getting employment because they are slowly opening their borders. COVID isn't going anywhere so how can keeping borders closed be lauded as a good job? As soon as borders re-open we will have more cases so time to plan properly and get on with it. We cannot continue crying about not having money but keeping businesses shuttered going on 6 months now. Envy of what? Shit makes me sick and I am a local.
  • A VOTER IN #6 (17/08/2020, 16:21) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    WHEN WE SAY VIRGIN ISLANDS FOREIGNERS THINK ITS ONE VIRGIN ISLANDS. LET THEM KNOW WE ARE THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND NOT US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
  • Dishonourable Governor (17/08/2020, 16:28) Like (2) Dislike (24) Reply
    Thank goodness Governor not in charge. Why you think uk didn’t even give him an honor after Irma? They hate him too, like us. He and his racist white staff and family need to leave ASAP!
  • thankfull i (17/08/2020, 16:33) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    thankfull some one was asking me what our doctors giving the patients I think it god protect ing us and a good government that is concerned about its people everything they do everyone might not be please but we have to give them credit border should not be opened as yet it will in time one of our Caribbean countries are now closing back they border read the news
  • Strruuppes (17/08/2020, 16:34) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    Why it have to be envied? We are one Caribbean, we need to stop this foolishness. We are what we are by the grace of God and nothing else........
  • resident (17/08/2020, 17:00) Like (27) Dislike (5) Reply
    It seems like the Virgin Island is the envy of the Caribbean for every little nonsense. Who does these interviews or surveys to find out how the other Caribbean people are really feeling or if they are even thinking about us ? It's amazing and amusing how we are full of ourselves. With the severity of Covid 19 nobody has time to think about how well a neighbour or friend is doing. You see things can change at any time for any of us. BVI stay humble and thank God.
  • E. Leonard (17/08/2020, 17:04) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    The VI and other regional countries were blessed with the structural strength and advantage to easily close their borders. Though it was relatively easy to close the border, closing the borders took bold leadership, was controversial and exacted my painful personal and national sacrifices on the populace. The bold and courageous actions earned the VI some Covid-19 dividends and it cannot squander those hard earned dividends. It must spend the dividends effectively and wisely. The VI is small and lacks both the capability and surge capacity to deal effectively with even a mild outbreak. Consequently, its best weapons were prevention, containment and mitigation. Thus far, it has deployed and employed those weapons effectively. Nonetheless, though it has won some battles, the war is still raging so it must continue with both defensive and offensive attacks/tactics on this deadly virus. The virus is real, not fake, and drives the battle plan. Be well, stay safe and be safe.

    • @E. Leonard (18/08/2020, 17:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thoughts reflective of a true military warrior. Agree the VI must face the virus as a country prepares to battle an adversary.
  • My Vote for best covid plans (17/08/2020, 17:21) Like (20) Dislike (17) Reply
    If i have to vote for the top 4 countries i think doing the best with managing covid nd their economy and safety. My frst vote goes to St. Lucia, My Second Vote Goes to St vincent, My third vote goes to Antigua, My 4th vote goes to Jamaica. Why u may ask? These countfies have what i called a TRIO PLAN, A plan to co exist, a plan to keep their peopke safe and a plan to keep their economy moving....Whereby the bvi only have one plan, safety..No plan to co exist, No plan to keep the economy moving in this atmosphere....
    • C0-Exister (18/08/2020, 13:12) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @My Vote for best covid plans.. I agree 100% with your logic and assessment. Just last evening we were raving about our squeaky Corona-free status. Today we learn about another 2 more cases. Tomorrow, God forbid there could be another 2 or 3. What would we say then? Each country is doing its best given the situation. Gaston Brown PM of Antigua & Barbuda made it clear earlier on, that" He doesn't have the luxury of being closed down indefinitely"; and quite earnestly, neither do we in BVIs. Thankfully our SSB has been managing its funds and Reserves well and thus, is able to bail out our most wasteful and extravagant government (past and present). In honest, what we should have been able to brag about would be having 200-300 million in the Reserve...and like St. Kitts/Nevis had we been capable of distributing a real STIMULUS; without all the BS and paperwork, while residents are still waiting for months since doing their paperwork; at the same time while others are being charged Price-gouging Security service fees during this most Challenging Cash-strapped time.
      Like the medical experts are saying, Covid-19 is likely to be around for some time. Bit even if there will be a vaccine sometime soon, there will be many who will not take it; including me. We are not blessed with Oil and other minerals in the ground; nor our sunken ships laden with treasure. BVI is blessed with some of the fines sailing waters and grounds...and it shouldn't require rocket scientists to be able devise a strategic Plan whereby we can put this God given resource to work for us. The yachts for the most part would be offshore basking in the natural universal solvents of water and sunlight. Meanwhile a safe and workable plan could be devised to get our hotels and villas back on stream as well; which would supply our culinary offerings. The Cuban doctors are already here; extend their stay for whatever time until we are confident with our capabilities and capacity.
      PS: My observation and suggestions given here are based on my several years experience in BVIs tourism, (hotels and yachting and Board membership) and US mainland marketing BVI tourism offerings throughout its east coat/west coast markets.
  • #my vote (17/08/2020, 17:47) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Take a pick. I am sure either one will be glad to have you.
  • Thankfull (17/08/2020, 18:08) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    move to one of those countries may God bless you
  • anguilla (17/08/2020, 18:20) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Misty Ellis-Simpson provide nightly COVID-19 updates via her Facebook page:

    https://www.facebook.com/pg/mellissimpson/posts/?ref=page_internal

    Anguilla has been setting the goal standard for no known active cases for months.
  • musa (17/08/2020, 18:26) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dr is back with the best team
  • tosh (17/08/2020, 18:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    pickering what you are doing now you should have done before you are in a position to help so try and help and not be a coat uf many colours it does not work Oickering do not follow the crowd you of all persons should knpw how things work we are still ruled by britian and remember the march ypur government orgabised sometime back well england is paying ypuall back look sometimes before you leap do not do the horse chip beforre you are shoer [roperly you also have to watch your conract some view you as kakhi amd calico cloth
  • :) (17/08/2020, 19:00) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have never seen such uproar as we have seen the past few weeks from people from all around the world literally begging and crying to be in the BVI. I'm so proud of the job that people like Lavity Stoutt, Cyril Romney and Ralph O'neal have done in making the BVI one of the premier destinations to work and live. People may say otherwise but we have proven that we are the cream of the crop because people have abandoned their homes and could be anywhere else in the world but chose to be with us.
    • No flip flop (17/08/2020, 22:19) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our present Government is trying their best to protect every one. I know the situation is fluid and hope that they do not flip flop for these rude ungrateful people. Because they are setting up themselves in their country and they need the BVI . The BVI is bless because we are good people. When they cannot get their way they call for fire and brinstone on the BVI. What a ting.
  • Envy? (17/08/2020, 21:16) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    And I can’t afford these ridiculous Rent what is there to be envied
    • ReX FeRal (18/08/2020, 06:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Envy? You want to live rent free. Go home or elsewhere
      • lol (19/08/2020, 06:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        To ReX FeRal you almost most 50 and still live with your Mama but you telling me I want to live rent free or go Elsewhere it is not my fault you can’t handle the truth.
  • next (18/08/2020, 05:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    time to get your own house
  • white friends (18/08/2020, 09:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what he want now?


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