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More businesses approved to open as COVID-19 cases drop

- night clubs, pubs & beauty salons, however, will remain closed
Following a Cabinet meeting of September 11, 2020, more businesses in the Virgin Islands (VI) will now be allowed to open as the territory records a reduction in COVID-19 cases as a result of strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by local health authorities. Photo: Facebook/BVI Travel
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) commenting on the move said, 'Although we are still on curfew, I want to again thank the public for their cooperation and assure them that the Government is doing all that it can to make the best decisions with everyone’s best health and interest in regard.' Photo: GIS/Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) commenting on the move said, 'Although we are still on curfew, I want to again thank the public for their cooperation and assure them that the Government is doing all that it can to make the best decisions with everyone’s best health and interest in regard.' Photo: GIS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Following a Cabinet meeting of September 11, 2020, more businesses in the Virgin Islands (VI) will now be allowed to open as the territory records a reduction in COVID-19 cases as a result of strict adherence to the COVID-19 guidelines issued by local health authorities.

As such, effective today September 12, 2020, within the confines of the current of 5:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. daily curfew, all businesses with the exception of salons, hairdressers, barbershops, restaurants for in-service dining, bars, night clubs and pubs can now open to serve the public.

Those not approved to open will remain closed until further notice, a release from the Government Information Service (GIS) noted, however, all other businesses allowed will be subject to inspection by the Social Distancing Monitoring Task Force and certification by the Environmental Health Division. 

Public thanked for help in reducing virus spread

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) commenting on the move said, “Although we are still on curfew, I want to again thank the public for their cooperation and assure them that the Government is doing all that it can to make the best decisions with everyone’s best health and interest in regard.”

Cabinet will meet again on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, to further review safety measures and protocols implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory.

The public is being encouraged to report any suspicious activity by dialling 311 and to continue adhering to all COVID-19 safety measures such as the washing of hands, wearing face masks in public, physical distancing and minimising social gatherings.

As of September 11, 2020, the VI recorded 66 total confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 28 current active cases, 37 recoveries and one death. 

21 Responses to “More businesses approved to open as COVID-19 cases drop”

  • Simply suggestion (12/09/2020, 13:00) Like (14) Dislike (10) Reply
    When all this covid is said and done.

    I would not mind seeing bars and night club with restaurant as well close at 1 or 2 am. That all night until morning cut it out.


    Allow them (them being bars and clubs) to open from 12pm and until 2am. That should be more than enough time. Cause the regular business does be open for 12 or 14 hours max.

    The only times I see when they should be allowed open until morning 6am if it's festival or government planned activity.

    Also may they too can be granted 12 activity per year whereby the can open until 6am. When a request by the government.

    Times are changing and i think it's time to regulate these late night clubs and bars and such.

    I know I will get a lot of hate and bad reply with this.

    But sit and thing about it from possible angles and you see what i am saying is not back.

    And if you still do. Who cares what you think. It's not like what i say they will do. I am just simply voicing my point of view. So go eat icrecream and cool down.
  • Birthday Coming Up (12/09/2020, 13:06) Like (10) Dislike (18) Reply
    I going cut my hair regardless so ayo could stay there with all this bull... think y’all going fool me off with this flu agenda, I living my life
    • tretretrete (13/09/2020, 07:24) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      People like you are more likely to pass it on to others.There are still some that insist on not wearing a mask.
  • right (12/09/2020, 13:24) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    My business closed on March 20th business wise i have had 3 days worth of revenue since then , lost all my staff but still no word about opening the borders, all these little things do is keep Tortola moving , you know the place that has the active virus while everywhere else suffers, you know the places without the active virus.
  • Get Lost (12/09/2020, 13:33) Like (10) Dislike (41) Reply
    VIP yall let me down big time.one term government,get lost.
  • No Manuel (12/09/2020, 14:41) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    Please don’t shut the place down again! Let just learn to live with mr Covid.... I won’t say vip is one term but lots been exposed!
  • Let's all get to work (12/09/2020, 15:05) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    We all need to get back to work, every facit of society. Private and Public a full day's work.. Let's make a start the sooner the better... We can adjust and fix as we go along....Put every business to the test... Give every business a chance let them open, then we can start shutting those that not enforcing or obeying the safety protocol one by one...Then the have no one but themselves to Blame...I will suggest we have our curfew from 5am to.11pm and be very serious about it..
  • We R Stagnant. (12/09/2020, 15:26) Like (7) Dislike (21) Reply
    If night hangouts are closed it means no one cAn go there to hangout. So Why 1pm curfew.,? Why the government don't want Civil Servants to go out and perform their duties. That's the first step in moving forward..Get civil servants out to render public services, to do their duties.. Until then. We will remain stagnant....
  • We R Stagnant. (12/09/2020, 15:26) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    If night hangouts are closed it means no one cAn go there to hangout. So Why 1pm curfew.,? Why the government don't want Civil Servants to go out and perform their duties. That's the first step in moving forward..Get civil servants out to render public services, to do their duties.. Until then. We will remain stagnant....
  • CHAK. (12/09/2020, 15:38) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    A LOT OF PEOPLE applied for a report of TAX, NHI and SS month ago, and still waiting...
    At least open up the public office please...
  • Dancing in the sunshine (12/09/2020, 15:47) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Praise and thanks to God and the Virgin Islands government for keeping us safe from this deadly virus. Many persons in the territory are complaining that they cannot make money due to the COVID-19, however, we are alive with opportunities to earn a living.

    When we compare this territory with Aruba, Curacao, Bon Air and St. Martin , they are the Mecca of tourism in the Caribbean along with Jamaica. They are all reeling under the virus. The economies of those countries are about to collapse We should be rejoicing that we have one death only. That is a tremendous success that needs to be celebrated. Thanks to the Hon. Premier and his hard working medical team as well as the Min. of Health for keeping us safe, that other territories would like to emulate.
  • Nice (12/09/2020, 17:26) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ dancing in d sun. People are to darm ungrateful that don't know how to give thanks
  • wow (12/09/2020, 21:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Ya’ll BVI ppl can complain sah!
  • srore owner (13/09/2020, 05:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are the people in the BVI get on like a pack of REAL asses you got a chance to open up say thank God and thank the Government for allowing you to open up. The Government has to do what is right in oder to curve the COVID19 people be senseble and say thanks that the BVI did not have no heap of cases and that whater took place they were dealt with in a professional medical manner. If you were living some where esle and that was the rule you had to abide by it come on donot look at things in a money light all the time. Have you read the news about the USVI our neighbour they have cases and deatths and the Governor is dealing with the natter iiiin a thight way, people for gods sake look up and say thanks and thanks again Money iis not all in life Life is more than money, I want to commenf the Governor, Premier, Mminister of Health and the rest of the Government persons for the work they did, COVID is not a base bagame it is a living reality so stop being so UNGREATFUL and thank GOD. In america whwre tgere is so much medical medcine and people are dying each day by the 100s Lord people in the BVI come on stop the mean sprited ways and thank the Government,. The hair dressers and bars is under the lens due to the close connection one has with their hair dress when they are open walk with your mases and a coat or other clothing to put on or throw over yourself because this might help it is hard but they will soon be open just hold tight.As for the bars .and night clubs if they get to open they should be closed by a certian time. The police drive around the country and if they are not closed by the scheduled time then take action But [pease stop the noise and go along with the Government rules until such time people have to live and want to live To the powers thata be THANK YOU. COVID19 IS NOT PICKING NOR CHOOSING, those who do not like what the POWERS THAT BE ARE DOING WELL THEN SHOOT YOUR oqn SHOT BUT DO NOT BLAME NOR RUN TO THE GOVERMENT FOR HELP REMEMBER WHEN NOAH WAS BUILDING THE ARK THEY LAUGH AND CALLED HIM ALL KIND OF NAMES BUT YOU SEE WHAT HAPPEN THE BIBLE SHOULD BE A GUIDE FOR US IT DOES NOT LIE THANK GOD that we can open up again
  • Agree (13/09/2020, 08:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree life over money but without money how are you going to live, can I go to my neighbors and ask for food or money to pay bills? I have to go to the bank and tell them I cannot pay my loan which is embarrassing. I cannot see the logic in closing at 1 pm . Did corona tell the government it’s coming after 1. I’m sure everyone can see the chaos all over the place, the supermarkets are packed to capacity the roads are busier than when it’s a full day work because everyone is trying to do things in that short space of time, not to mention the banks. But then again I think corona is on a hold from 5-1 so we can’t catch corona in the supermarkets only at work , it’s ridiculous, if I don’t work I don’t get pay so what is killing us more. Corona or stress or is it hunger? Get on with life like everywhere else, what is it as long as we die from hunger and stress it’s ok but don’t we dare die of corona because it’s going to look bad on the bvi.
  • tell me (13/09/2020, 09:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Minister how come you told us the numbers are dropping and dt vincent jusy recieved 2 cases from us on friday. who are there contacts?
  • @ tell me (13/09/2020, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    After the Jost Van Dyke fiasco I would take anything coming out of St. Vincent with a grain of salt. Do not allow yourselves to be sidetracked by persons who may have ulterior motives.
  • trrefdrfds (13/09/2020, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr minister what a strong message you all send to the churvh, if the pastors with theirbih title did not catch it i did. The message is, if the church is a busimess open if its not stay closed because nothing was not said about the churcj


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