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Gov’t mulling new 7-day quarantine for persons entering VI

-Health Minister Hon Carvin Malone said reduction from mandatory 14 days is part of lowering costs
Persons returning to the Virgin Islands have to go through a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Photo: BVIAA/File
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) today, October 22, 2020, revealed that government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is considering reducing the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement to enter the territory, to just 7 days as a cost reduction measure. Photo: Facebook/File
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) today, October 22, 2020, revealed that government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is considering reducing the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement to enter the territory, to just 7 days as a cost reduction measure. Photo: Facebook/File
While the plans are not yet concrete, Hon Carvin Maline said personnel at the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) will first have to meet with Cabinet to discuss the requirements to get things going. Photo: GIS/File
While the plans are not yet concrete, Hon Carvin Maline said personnel at the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) will first have to meet with Cabinet to discuss the requirements to get things going. Photo: GIS/File
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost van Dyke, VI – Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) today, October 22, 2020, revealed that the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is considering reducing the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement to enter the territory to just 7 days, as a cost reduction measure.

The Minister was at the time speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community meeting on Jost van Dyke when he disclosed details of his earlier announcement.

“It's important to realise that most of the cost for quarantine is as a result of the 14-days required. We are examining having that time frame reduced to 7 days,” Hon Malone said.

As part of steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the territory, the VI government had resorted to the use of contracted security officers to strengthen its quarantine efforts, after it was found that individuals were breaking quarantine and putting the VI population at risk.

Less need for security officers - Hon Malone 

However, the Minister revealed that a new approach would lessen the need for physical security.

“With more modern track and tracing efforts we're going to be able to move away from the physical security to one that will have more electronic security so by so doing, the cost will be able to be reduced.”

While the plans are not yet concrete, Hon Malone said personnel at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) will first have to meet with Cabinet to discuss the requirements to get things going.

“Come next week members of the HEOC will be coming into Cabinet in order to discuss the protocols that will be required, to move the quarantine period from 14 days down to 7 days,” he said.

15 Responses to “Gov’t mulling new 7-day quarantine for persons entering VI”

  • Really (22/10/2020, 20:32) Like (7) Dislike (16) Reply
    After all the dribble coming out the Governments mouths since clsoing the borders in March now now they want to do things that they could of been doing for months to save money, to save them money.

    So money before health if its their money but we all broke to saty healthy but that doesn't matter now, please remember the latest active case wasn't confimed till her 14th day in quarantine. But hey lets save them money
    • Ghost (22/10/2020, 22:28) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      Re: the case being confirmed 14days later, this is because the protocol was to be tested after a 14- day quarantine. However this does not mean that if she was tested for example 2 or 3 days after entering she would have been negative.. One can test positive between 2-14 days.symptomatic persons begin to show signs usually between day 2 and day 5 after exposure.. but that 14 days is a window for viruses to show their ugly head after exposure..
  • Street reporter (22/10/2020, 21:29) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    This is an excellent move....Then once the borders open Dec 1st it reduced to 3 days..... Look if peopke want to come in here with fake negative test and found positive with our test, they will pay the cost for quarantine until they recovered then get deported, we teach those who coming a lesson, "Dont mess with us"..Play clean... I dont like the electronic idea...Anything that complicate the processs is not good for business..
  • Tell us (22/10/2020, 22:24) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    what is the true state of the territory finances? I would like to see some sound, solid info and not all the tit for tat disgraceful debates that we are subjected to. BVI is the most financially well off country to be paying for all these hotel rooms and security guards. What is this costing us? Where is the money coming from to run the country? Why has the property taxes increased to 500% with no fair assessment? By time people find out about the hike, the court date to object done gone. Why the IR staff and many prominent people property tax didnt increase? why are we giving people free stamp duty to buy land while those of us who already have something have to pay out what we don't have at a time when we are not working or making less income. You call stamp duty exemption a stimulus, but if you can afford to buy land, you should afford the $5.00 for love and affection or the 4%. dah mek sense man?

    What is the state of the social security moneys? with so many businesses closed since March, hotels, car rentals, resorts villas, what has been the loss in income? give us some statistics and figures and not no set of twist talk.

  • lodger (22/10/2020, 23:17) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    When did property taxes go up by 500%? Just paid mine. No increase.
    • to lodger (23/10/2020, 11:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You better thank God. Land is still 10.00 but buildings gone up. I was paying 360.00 and when I went to pay they say the balance is 250.00. Near drop down. Some other people were fussing too
  • Tourist (22/10/2020, 23:38) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    why would i waste my money to have to wait 7 days before i can see the place, its ridiculous
  • Tourism. (23/10/2020, 00:44) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Have they reconsidered flight in the STT, PR is 3times the cost of using the USVI at those cost plus quarantine who will travel. ONLY THE RICH.
  • next (23/10/2020, 01:32) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    some people don't know what to talk about they just go by hear say no prove don't care what the government do it's is a problem as the saying goes you can't please everyone do the right thing don't compromise and then regret we have to be careful with what we do continue to trust God for directions to lead to the primer keep your head up we are in this to win God is good to those that trust him
    • These Civil Servants. OMG (23/10/2020, 10:51) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
      They need to come off of hear supporting the govenment with their nonsense because their salary sure, for now, soon the well will dry and no one salary will be sure..., This place need to have a friendly and welcome approach...We are not the only destination...St Vincent St Marten...Those are where the tourist will be going....
  • mad max (23/10/2020, 04:36) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Maybe just end the secured quarantine and let people police themselves. Then fine anyone $10k who breaks it
  • Keep things Simple. (23/10/2020, 05:32) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope they dont come with no complicated plan like St Kitts.. I had a talk with a hotel owner in SK, People who booked before the plan have cancelled after the plan because SK plan is too complicated steessful and not business friendly....
    • Here Too.... (23/10/2020, 06:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      And that is true for here too... we have already had many cancellations for villa rentals.
  • Not good (23/10/2020, 08:45) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Quarantine for 7 days that how long most tourist come to the bvi for vacation, the next thing is having to quarantine for 7 days mean a back up of guest sitting on the dock congregating so for me this plan not going work
  • Hmm (25/10/2020, 19:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people living in the BVI over 10years are being locked out and are still awaiting approval from you guys.


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