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No day trips into VI likely before March 2021- Hon Malone

- Health Minister Carvin Malone said day tripping is not logistically possible at this time
Businesses like the famous Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke depend heavily on day trippers from the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. Photo: wildluxe.com/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has said day tripping is not likely in the Virgin Islands before the end of the first quarter of 2021. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has said day tripping is not likely in the Virgin Islands before the end of the first quarter of 2021. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The tourism sector of the Virgin Islands that relies heavily on visitors coming into the territory on a day trip will have to wait at least another five months before it can begin to receive such tourists.

Day tripping is especially dear to businesses on the sister island of Jost van Dyke. The island's geographical location to the sister territory of the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) results in the heavy traffic of persons travelling for a day at the beach, a spa on the sea, tours of the island and- most popular- the bar indulgence and restaurant dining.

With this being the lifeblood of Jost van Dyke, business owners were on the heels of government to devise a strategy that would allow for some level of commute to save businesses.

‘One day cannot fit into four’- Hon Malone

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL); however, was firm on the position that this is not likely before the end of the first quarter of 2021.

“The concept of the day trip right now, the first one month, two months, three months, we need not fool anyone. How can one day fit into four days? So we have a situation where we have to be just straight up with people. We can’t go around the bush on this. One day cannot fit into four,” said Hon Malone, while a guest of the October 27, 2020, edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show with Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

Justifying his position, Hon Malone said, “If we get the outbreak and then we have to close, then everybody suffers.”

The Health Minister was at the time discussing concerns surrounding the reopening of the territory’s seaports to tourism activities.

Additional protocols for seaports being strategised

The seaports are scheduled to begin reopening in a phased approach from December 8, 2020.

Hon Malone said while some of the protocols that are coined to be used for tourists arriving by air will also apply to seaport arrivals, some additional protocols are being strategised.

19 Responses to “No day trips into VI likely before March 2021- Hon Malone”

  • oh boy (28/10/2020, 11:13) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    What a joke, no plans what do ever
    • Really (29/10/2020, 03:31) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      day trippers are the easiest to accomodate , simple have them test 24hrs before the come , produce a negative test and allow them to spend the day , whats the big issue here?
  • Peaches (28/10/2020, 11:29) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why did you all ever come out and say that you all are opening the borders for visitors talking about BVI LOVE? How about shutting the whole place down and we act as tourists with ourselves! Big campaign and now this. BUNCH of FEAR MONGERING!! The fear of this virus will cause more damage than the virus itself!
  • Hon Malone (28/10/2020, 11:43) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    No business for those that bring value to the vacation experience. Means No real tourism until 2022. Who is fooling who.
  • U Making Sense Minister (28/10/2020, 11:46) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    The Press conference last night was a record setting event in terms of views, shares and comments, Kudos to the Premier and the Minister they acted with atmost professionalism, doesn't seem to have all the answers at times.... This government cant ignore how important this subject is to the masses....Change must come...The Premier promised adjustments... I would like to sse a different plan for low risk countries where if the boarding test and the arrival test are both negative they are free to move about.. This will require a 48hrs quarantine for arrival testing results to be known....Thats one the adjustment that would make sense...
    • thats funny (28/10/2020, 15:15) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      there werenevermore than 700 people watching that is more than 5000 less than other press conferences.

      The problem was the #BVILOVE opening 1st Dec,thney should never of wasted money doing this and just announce that a new phase for border opening to accommodate longer term guests, homeowners and residents.

      If they had done this there would be no problems like they have created by people having to change flights again and charters again they are falling out of BVILOVE and will go elsewhere.

      People can't book a December holiday with just over a month to go that costs in excess of $10000 and just hope they get a flight.

      According to the Minister of Health everybody on a yacht comes from the ferry, but people changed and booked flights into Beef.... they created the problems themselves and now want to blame the tourists and they expect them to jump through hurdles and come back.....not me
  • Buckle your seatbelts (28/10/2020, 11:47) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    So, I would infer from this that the current opening travel restriction regime will go though Q1, 2021. Smart, that lines up perfectly with the prime tourism season. See everyone in 2022. Good Luck!
  • Charter company (28/10/2020, 12:00) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Honestly! It’s difficult but I personally understand.
  • Rubber Duck (28/10/2020, 12:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of course any one to three day hotel bookings are the same. Not allowed.
  • vi (28/10/2020, 12:14) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    This a joke for true we depend on the one day tourist if you have 1000 tourists pass through port Road Town or west end do the maths the taxi man makes some money too the shops make money too and then the money circulates
  • So Over This (28/10/2020, 12:15) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why the piece-mail of information? Is it because there is still no logical plans or fear of backlash to the irrational plans? Covid is here to stay forever so execute a plan and adjust respectively.
  • facts (28/10/2020, 13:02) Like (5) Dislike (21) Reply
    Some of you in the BVI are so foolish. You are behaving as if there is no Covid-19 to worry about. Premier you hold your ground.
    • Sue (30/10/2020, 09:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Honorable premier. I understand where you are coming from. We (BVI citizens) will appreciate your cautious decisions in years to come...when we notice that our friends and relatives are still alive.
  • People (28/10/2020, 13:04) Like (0) Dislike (16) Reply
    That bvinews site do not post the good post made about the Government only the bad ones. It is a set up to try to programme people's minds against the Government wrongfully for their friends political gain.
    • @People (28/10/2020, 18:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Same as this side. They both have political affiliation and represent each side
  • Ho ho ho (28/10/2020, 17:42) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Xmas won’t be so nice without being able to go to St. Thomas....
  • josiah'sbay (28/10/2020, 19:00) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    I see it as an isolation and separation issue. If we can keep the tourist isolated from the general population and sufficiently separated from themselves and the local people that serve them, we should be okay. No random one day access but organize with a schedule itinerary. Designate an area on the beach for locals, Only allow the visitors to frequent businesses with proper governmental protocol in place. Keep them from mingling with the locals as much as possible to minimize contagion. Hopefully they will bring and take back their contamination with them. Preventing them from coming is not a viable solution. Forget the old normal and create new norms that we can live with.
  • west (29/10/2020, 05:18) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    To those day trip pirate captains who have previously visited our waters without clarence. You will surely miss us! No more beautiful TAX FREE excursions . And to our government for selling OUR WORLD'S TOURISM PRODUCT SHORT ( THE BARTHS) time to increase our wealth!!
  • annoying (29/10/2020, 08:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    What provision is being made for people who have businesses on tortola but live in yhe USVI


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