Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Gov't offices close from 1:00pm July 29, 2020 as weather system approaches

- Territory placed on Tropical Storm Warning
The National Hurricane Centre continues to monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone (PTC-9) and may upgrade this system to a Tropical Storm tonight or tomorrow, July 29, 2020. Photo: DDM/Facebook
With the Territory placed on Tropical Storm Warning as a disturbance approaches the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that public offices will close from 1:00pm tomorrow, July 29, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
With the Territory placed on Tropical Storm Warning as a disturbance approaches the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that public offices will close from 1:00pm tomorrow, July 29, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With the Territory placed on Tropical Storm Warning as a disturbance approaches the Virgin Islands (VI), Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has announced that public offices will close from 1:00pm tomorrow, July 29, 2020.

Tropical Storm Warning

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

“Presently, the system we are watching is a potential tropical cyclone, but the forecasters tell us that we should be on our guard because sometime tonight or tomorrow, it will develop into a tropical storm,” Hon Fahie stated this evening, July 28, 2020.

He said forecasters have further advised that the Territory can expect this system to pass over or very close to the VI as early as tomorrow afternoon, and that it may bring with it winds of 40-60 miles per hour and some 3-to-6-inches of rain.

“For Government’s part, we have been working diligently to clear debris, activate our plans, and do all in our power to protect the Territory and prepare for this potential hazard.”

NEOC activated to level 1

Meanwhile, Premier Fahie disclosed that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to a level one to ensure that all plans are in place.

“We will continue to work so that once this system passes, we will be prepared to respond with all rapidness to any issues that arise.

“I continue to be immensely grateful for the continued support of many teams in the Ministries, departments, and statutory bodies of Government that continue to work together to ensure preparedness.”

Hon Fahie emphasised that, above all, Government wants to protect the people from being out in any hazardous conditions.

Public offices close from 1:00pm

“As such, public offices will close from 1:00pm tomorrow, with public officers working from the safety of their homes in the afternoon.

“I would encourage persons in the private sector to follow suit. Yes, your business is important, but your people are an asset you cannot replace.”

The Premier also urged all VI residents to do one more check on their homes, businesses, emergency supplies and critical documents.

“Ensure that your family and business has done all it can to be ready. We must remain in a state of readiness. We want you to stay safe. Also, as a people let us continue to go forward with vigilance in the midst of COVID-19,” Hon Fahie stated, adding that we do not know for certain what this system may bring, but we do know that is far better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.

8 Responses to “Gov't offices close from 1:00pm July 29, 2020 as weather system approaches”

  • weatherman (29/07/2020, 00:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Folks, effects of this system will be on island before 1;00pm. Please consider leaving earlier.
    • yeah (29/07/2020, 03:01) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      Last time they shut down the government from the day before. This time they are closing down during the weather. Guess they don’t want to embarrass themselves prematurely again...
  • VG (29/07/2020, 04:34) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    And look at the damn drains in humtuns ghut make no sense to me the way they clean this place waste ing money at all times it's time to wake up people and to see how they are doing things
  • Rubber Duck (29/07/2020, 04:54) Like (13) Dislike (19) Reply
    There is no storm, not even a depression. There is an area of disturbed weather passing south of us. It does not have a name. Stop spreading fear.
  • Statutory Body (29/07/2020, 06:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does this apply to statutory bodies?
  • Statutory Body (29/07/2020, 06:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    “I continue to be immensely grateful for the continued support of many teams in the Ministries, departments, and statutory bodies of Government that continue to work together to ensure preparedness.”
  • PTST OTT (29/07/2020, 08:30) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
    Are we really going to shut down every time a thunderstorm approaches? This is getting ridiculous! It is not even a Hurricane people! Stop spreading fear.
  • Hahahaha. A Big Joke. Stop it. (29/07/2020, 08:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Private Sector can do the same because their staff is an asset / resource they cannot replace.....Stop it.. In a rush they will replace us, They have a long line waiting to take out jobs as we slip up, and with a very weak labour dept, thats a piece of cake we will be replace as easy as ABC, 1 2 3.... Somebody is lying to you Mr. Premier.... The move to shut half day is a good move.....Are we going to work until 1 or go lunch at 12 and dont come back?


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.