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Curfew among items on Thursday’s final HoA sitting for 2020

-Gov’ts aggressive legislative agenda continues even on the last day of the year
The Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands (VI), which will be the final sitting of the legislature for 2020 is set for Thursday, December 31, 2020, at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola. Photo: GIS/File
Landmark bills include the historic Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020 which will pave the way for pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries and casinos to be established in the territory. It was given assent by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert in August of 2020. Photo: Internet Source
Landmark bills include the historic Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020 which will pave the way for pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries and casinos to be established in the territory. It was given assent by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert in August of 2020. Photo: Internet Source
The second notable Bill to be passed in the HoA was the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, would allow the territory to tap into the medicinal marijuana industry. Photo: Internet Source
The second notable Bill to be passed in the HoA was the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, would allow the territory to tap into the medicinal marijuana industry. Photo: Internet Source
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - The Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) of the Virgin Islands (VI), which will be the final sitting of the legislature for 2020 is set for Thursday, December 31, 2020, at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola.

According to the Order Paper, released today Wednesday, December 30, 2020, there will be several items on the agenda, among them, the Imposition of the No. 40 Curfew Order.

It is noteworthy to inform that the ongoing curfew, which takes effect from 2:01 am to 4:59 am daily comes to an end on Thursday and with only three active reported imported cases of COVID-19 on Tortola, seven on Virgin Gorda and two on boats, it is left to be seen if the curfew will be lifted altogether for the New Year’s celebration and beyond. 

Legislative agenda continues

Meanwhile, on the government’s legislative agenda, there will be introductions and first readings of a few Bills.

Premier and Leader of Government Business, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) will be introducing the Bill Virgin Islands Investment Act, 2020 and the Business Licensing Act, 2020. Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) will also be introducing the Bill COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No.3) Act 2020.

There will be second and third readings for the Disaster Management Act 2019, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (Virgin Islands) (Amendment) Act, 2020, as well as the aforementioned COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No.3) Act 2020.

Last sitting for 2020

Over the 2020 year, the Fahie-led regime had been on an aggressive legislative agenda while navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and passing a number of key Bills. 

Landmark Bills include the historic Virgin Islands Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020 which will pave the way for pari-mutuel wagering, lotteries and casinos to be established in the territory. It was given assent by outgoing Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert in August of 2020.

And the second notable Bill to be passed in the HoA was the VI Medicinal Cannabis Licensing Act 2020, would allow the territory to tap into the medicinal marijuana industry.

This Bill, however, is yet to be assented to and is currently under review by the U.K.

Reports to be tabled

At tomorrow's final 2020 sitting, there will also be annual reports from 2018 and 2019 from various departments of government including from the Magistracy, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Office of the Deputy Governor, Civil Registry and Passport Office brought to the table.

Other yearly reports to be laid down include reports from the Social Security Board for the year 2016 and the H.L. Stoutt Community College for the years 2014 -2015 and 2016-2017. 

18 Responses to “Curfew among items on Thursday’s final HoA sitting for 2020 ”

  • foxy (30/12/2020, 18:01) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Them man live in the gym mehson
  • Hmm (30/12/2020, 18:26) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do something about these young boys on Scooters please....some of them are just too loud.
    • gfdgfdg (30/12/2020, 22:10) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    • the rock (31/12/2020, 02:34) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes Hon Fahie, the time has come to stop this foolishness, put down some heavy fines if caught with those muffler pipes that are sending the territory crazy, especially our beloved Seniors, it gone to far, please VIP, I beg you please end it!
      • Rubber Duck (16/07/2021, 13:37) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        Fines are useless. Seize the bikes. Hold them for a month first time, second time , crush them.
  • dr (30/12/2020, 20:34) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is one active hell of a house of assembly Fahie and Willock you all going get burnt out
  • tretretrete (30/12/2020, 21:17) Like (2) Dislike (16) Reply
    Curfew needs to be until 10- 11
    Pm.
  • lodger (30/12/2020, 21:25) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Its an excuse for all them to tell us how good they have been during the year. Look out for a long session.
  • Overdue (30/12/2020, 21:50) Like (6) Dislike (7) Reply
    Move that curfew now, no need for HOA. Vex nuh rass
  • Sanity (30/12/2020, 21:51) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    For heaven sake put back the curfew from 12 midnight to 5 am since the laws are not being applied to these so call bars in communities who hiding behind smoke screens. They are a nuisance. Have no respect for communities and the people in the community. Loud noise from patrons and loud music. It is my belief that we have so much problem because the enforcers of the laws help to create these monsters for our communities. Its impossible that those encharged never follow the correct steps set out in the law to issue such licences. The public has to have an input in these decisions making. But no it's my friend, no they will not disturb the neighborhoods so just sign off and public have no say.

    Do something with these monsters law enforcement have help to create now they can't get them control.
  • concern (31/12/2020, 06:18) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    Curfew curfew, that all y’all can speak about. Government workers work so hard during this pandemic and not even a grant from the government to say thanks for your effort.
    • Really (31/12/2020, 08:43) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      oh please, at least most of you gov't workers were still employed during the whole pandemic. What about those that were laid off early during the year due to covid and have received no help from gov't at all.
  • Gone&done (31/12/2020, 07:37) Like (7) Dislike (9) Reply
    This curfew should have already been history from last week
    • REALLY.... (31/12/2020, 09:39) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      With the number of cases, no curfew? But instead party, party party ?
  • one eye (31/12/2020, 08:43) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    good to see the people I elected working so hard
  • I could tell ya... (31/12/2020, 09:23) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    EVERY OTHER THING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PEACE OF MIND OF THE RESIDENTS AT NIGHT SO ALL THE SCOOTER RIDERS CAN TERRORIZE THE PLACE WITH NOISE. NO ONE CAN WATCH TV, BE ONLINE OR LISTEN TO MUSIC. IF YOU CLOSE YOUR WINDOWS IT IS THE SAME NOISE. IT IS SO WONDERFUL TO SEE THIS GOVERNMENTS PRIORITIES. SICK OF THIS NOW. 2021 WILL BE MORE OF THE SAME.
  • musa (08/10/2021, 21:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Together we need to be covid19 free and the only way is to lesson to our medical experts
  • Save the Greed (08/10/2021, 22:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can anyone explain to me why govt is not meeting at the house of assembly?


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