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'Curfew impeding local businesses'- Opposition Leader

- says some businesses like restaurants should be allowed to operate until 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm
Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) has accused Government of impeding local businesses by maintaining the curfew. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said when a Government is faced with the reality that there is no cure or vaccine to prevent thousands and thousands from dying, it must do all it can to protect its people, even if its popularity has to take a hit. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said when a Government is faced with the reality that there is no cure or vaccine to prevent thousands and thousands from dying, it must do all it can to protect its people, even if its popularity has to take a hit. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has been busy at the wheels steering the Territory through unchartered waters in this global coronavirus pandemic, the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) has been taking the opportunity to throw his punches.

The latest shot thrown is that Government is hindering local businesses from doing business and making profits.

The Opposition Leader has proposed that by further relaxing the curfew, businesses such as restaurants will be able to implement a strict reservation policy in efforts to adhere to social distancing guidelines, if they were allowed to operate until 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm.

Currently, approved restaurants are allowed to entertain dine-in customers; however, a curfew remains in place from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Many out of jobs

“There have been no spikes or clusters of COVID-19 transmission in the Territory, therefore a further relaxed curfew would enable businesses in the food industry to become profitable and in turn sustain the business owners and employees’ livelihoods,” Hon Penn stated in a press release today, May 26, 2020.

In accordance with the Imposition of a Curfew (No. 18) which took effect on May 24, 2020, the curfew has been extended until June 7, 2020.

According to Hon Penn, the disruption in business due to the decline in traffic to restaurants has caused irreparable harm, leaving businesses saddled with debt.

“Restaurants not only require reassurance from Government but they also need a fighting chance to survive the COVID-19 crisis. The severe impact of restaurants in the Territory not being able to open for dinner has resulted in servers, dishwashers, cooks, bartenders and supervisors/managers finding themselves without a job,” the Opposition Leader said.

We continue as a Territory to engage in preventative measures as we continue to balance the safety with the rebooting and reawakening of our economy in a phased basis and under the ‘New Regular’ living and working with COVID-19.

‘As a Cabinet we stand by our tough decisions’- Premier Fahie

Premier Fahie, in a statement on May 21, 2020, said he is aware not all of the decisions made by Cabinet are popular.

“Many of them are tough, but I can assure you that they were made in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands.”

Hon Fahie said when a Government is faced with the reality that there is no cure or vaccine to prevent thousands and thousands from dying, it must do all it can to protect its people, even if its popularity has to take a hit.

“When you are faced with the reality that the BVI was projected to have had more than 3,700 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the BVI, you have no other choice but to put preventative measures in place to ensure the health and safety of our people.

“As a Cabinet we stand by our tough decisions, whether they are popular or not,” Hon Fahie said.

17 Responses to “'Curfew impeding local businesses'- Opposition Leader”

  • Me (26/05/2020, 17:37) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Patience
  • Billfargo (26/05/2020, 18:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It takes a man
  • wow (26/05/2020, 18:36) Like (20) Dislike (5) Reply
    I would not vote for Marlon Penn again. If it he was the premier this entire country would've had covid-19. I applaud Mr. Fahie for the all the tough decisions he has made.
    • @SMH (27/05/2020, 09:36) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you. He ain’t getting my vote. He lacks leadership.
  • Local (26/05/2020, 18:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Which part of that make sense.
  • Curious Cat (26/05/2020, 18:51) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am getting tired of this member of the house opposing everything that is put in place.
    Sir, welcome to the NEW NORM. It is up to the restaurant owners to fit in. Dinner can be served as early as 4:00 There are no tourists on the island either, ( not that locals don’t dine out), but one has to think outside the regular box.
    Get a clue.
    • same here (26/05/2020, 19:52) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      Facts. Because he is in opposition that doesn’t mean he has to oppose everything. And when he makes opposing statements, it really doesn’t make sense majority of the times. He is just a dumby looking thing to talk and stay relevant at this point.
    • Da mek Sense? (26/05/2020, 23:53) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      So if dinner served at 4 and people finish work at 5...how that one is gonna work? To get changed and such...

      And who eats dinner at 4?????
  • Billfargo (26/05/2020, 19:03) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    When babies cry, you put a pasifier in their mouth, but when grown people start crying for nothing; You just need to slap the mess out of them!
  • not he (26/05/2020, 19:16) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Smuf in a hurry going no where soon
  • BIG M (26/05/2020, 19:36) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Marlon you are not the leader of government business. You have people leading you from in the public. Please allow Mr. Fahie to do his job. Someone prepared a paper and give to read. Why are you so much want to be in the spot light. Monies were remove from under your watch and you kept quiet.
  • Throw punch (26/05/2020, 20:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The school could have finished their semester a long time. When we have the handle we don't throw punches. we play Joe Fraser but now its Mohamad allee in the covid ring let's see who will be the champion. No cases we free now the champion and fans boxed well. Second round keep your eyes on the prize champion. You need to keep the referee of this universe close to you and listen to him when he say 1 2 3. for if you don't get up with fresh vision and understanding we are in trouble. So keep your eyes open, your ears open to the voice of the referee.
  • ReX FeRal (27/05/2020, 06:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Is this man opposing , just to oppose. Ah shucks.
  • Juan Ping (27/05/2020, 07:21) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    I got 4 words for Marlon Aka smurf aka Humpty Dumpty!

    “Mehson Go Sit Down!”
  • Curious (27/05/2020, 08:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of business re-opening, you need to let the children who is in Grade 6 (going to high school) and grade 12 (coming out of high school doing CXC) to get back in class to do their work.
  • hahah (27/05/2020, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This dude is making no sense. Let’s Hon . Fahie do his job. So far he have done a wonderful job at keeping us safe. Thank God it ain’t you because we would have been doomed based on some of the thing you are publicly saying.
  • Grrrrr (27/05/2020, 09:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply

    The opposition is a mess. Dumb&*#k



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