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

Non-essential duty travel restricted for VI public officials

-Cabinet must now approve travel including for personnels @ statutory bodies
The [British] Virgin Islands has now restricted travel for public officials in addition to the suspension of visa-free travel privileges of Chinese Nationals coming to the territory as part of preventative measure against the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) into the territory. Photo: VINO/File
According to the Minister Carvin Malone, travel advisories were issued for China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid spread of the virus in those countries. VINO/FIle
According to the Minister Carvin Malone, travel advisories were issued for China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid spread of the virus in those countries. VINO/FIle
Hon Carvin Malone, travel advisories has since been issued China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid spread of the virus in those countries. Photo: Internet Source
Hon Carvin Malone, travel advisories has since been issued China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid spread of the virus in those countries. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - The Virgin Islands has now restricted travel for public officials in addition to the suspension of visa-free travel privileges of Chinese Nationals coming to the territory as part of preventative measure against the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) into the territory.

"We had a vias-free initiative for national of the People's Republic of China, it has been suspended, it does not mean that folks of Chinese descent cannot come to the BVI," the territory's Health Minister, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) said on public radio ZBVI 780am on Tuesday, March 10, 2020. 

He revealed that the measures come as the territory is looking to know the travel history of nationals from China coming into the country.

"The VISA has to be applied so that we can properly check your travel history in the last 14 days so that we have a good feel whether or not you travel to Italy, or you've travelled to China, South Korea or all of these other places," he said. 

According to the Hon Malone, travel advisories were issued for China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Italy due to the rapid spread of the virus in those countries. 

Cruise ship protocols revised 

In addition, he said the cruise industry will also be placed into the spotlight, "We have revised our protocols for the cruise ships because a lot of folks are concerned about it, we are seeing that Italy, for instance, have gone through and they have made the entire Italy a particularly high-risk area, that would cause us to look at our cruise ship protocol," Hon Malone noted. 

As part of additional measures, the Minister revealed that Cabinet has also restricted non-essential duty travel of all public officials inclusive of personnel at statutory bodies, "We will have to bring them to Cabinet so that we can then make a determination," he said. 

He said additional protocols have been put into place by the Deputy Governor's office for civil servants, and these will be recommended for implementation in the private sector. 

25 Responses to “Non-essential duty travel restricted for VI public officials”

  • question (11/03/2020, 16:29) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    What about the private sector. We all need to be on board.
  • disgraceful (11/03/2020, 16:44) Like (1) Dislike (30) Reply
    can’t stop it when the government still allowing these island people to come in here. Them is a disease to the place.
    • Friends of the game (11/03/2020, 17:09) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      You song just like your name
    • Nice boy (13/03/2020, 09:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      hey... be nice... it about time this nonsense stop!! I am a BVIslander and I say it is time that we stop calling down, being insulative, being mean and disparaging to others. Get a grip. If I were from somewhere else and saw the better opportunities in the BVI I would be the first to come here. Our grandfathers went to Santo Domingo to work in the past. So the tables turn around now. What is the problem with that?
  • shantel (11/03/2020, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (23) Reply
    What about these island people coming here? any restrictions for them?
  • tola (11/03/2020, 17:02) Like (1) Dislike (12) Reply
    What about them island people who does send for them family down island everyday?
    • rewrsdffds (12/03/2020, 08:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      You don’t want the black island man who look like you and who doesn’t have the virus to come here but the white man from Europe and the Asians who test positive for the virus you welcome with open arms. SMH
  • Virgin Islander (11/03/2020, 17:05) Like (2) Dislike (14) Reply
    Hopefully this stop these island people from coming in so often. You don’t see we going down island to live.
  • Binocs (11/03/2020, 17:06) Like (17) Dislike (7) Reply
    What is about you locals with island people the same thing in St Thomas, y’all have issues we island people is the reason the VI standing.
  • OMG (11/03/2020, 17:07) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    The island people comments not necessarily instead they should stop ayo dirty Bvilanders from coming from the states bringing the corna
  • lol (11/03/2020, 17:10) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    “Island People” stand for People who are not from the British & United States Virgin Islands. Stop acting like you guys don’t know what it means.
  • Smith (11/03/2020, 17:11) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Govt need to be strict screening people especially the ones who from down the island who be back and forth with a new family member.
  • VG (11/03/2020, 17:15) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    Government please stop these island people from coming in here them is who does eat bat along with them Chinese.
  • lawdy (11/03/2020, 17:22) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    Well here we go with the comments lol them coming to our beautiful Virgin Islands because we’re the best financially them other islands can’t even support them self.
  • Hmmm (11/03/2020, 18:05) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    Thanks God for outside people including our Caribbean neighbors. If it wasn't for outsiders. What would be of the BVI?
  • asking for a friend (11/03/2020, 18:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who gets to decide?
  • biker (11/03/2020, 18:48) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Traveling public officials from the BVI should still continue to travel BUT these traveling public official should pay all their own travel expenses NOT the BVI government/taxpayers.
  • biker (11/03/2020, 18:48) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Traveling public officials from the BVI should still continue to travel BUT these traveling public official should pay all their own travel expenses NOT the BVI government/taxpayers.
  • keda (11/03/2020, 18:48) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    wow i really hope it is not us Tortola ppl, who really with this island ppl talk... if so we are a real disgrace.
    Each and everyone of us are human and must treat each other as such.
    I hope this virus in not another rude awakening like Irma because we didn't learn anything judging from these comments.
    we cant keep punishing one for all because i surly wont take punishment for any ignorant "tola" person.

    I pray we can grow up before its to late.
    James
  • not now (11/03/2020, 19:06) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Instead of we on here like fools talking foolishness, we need to be praying for our families and the Territory. We need to pray that our leaders continue to do their best and that their best is good enough to control this virus coming to the BVI. The WHO upgraded it to a PANDEMIC today.
  • Human Waste (11/03/2020, 21:23) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    So sad to see the level of our people's mentality in these comments its really shameful. Oh by the way what is being done about the septic tank run off into the streets, this negates any effort to combat the corona virus. Public health Officials and Peoples Representatives please think about this, dah mek sense? When this stuff splashes on your vehicle and you then hold the door handle or touch the vehicle isn't that a conduit for the virus. This is some downright nasty shit that should have been curbed even without the threat of the virus, instead you people on here blogging some of the most illiterate foolishness. Will the real clueless brainless please stand up.
  • about time (11/03/2020, 22:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We’ll be able to save a little money from all that excessive travel. Thank you Corona, I’ll drink to that...
  • born here (12/03/2020, 09:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I could be wrong but I do believe that most of the comments about 'island people' were written by the same person. It seems like some people are determined to create unnecessary conflict and have selected the perfect vehicle to do so. I am a Virgin Islander and I am encouraging both locals and non-locals to not respond to such demeaning statements. When we choose to negatively engage in such behaviors, it says that we are no better than the low lives that
    who continually seek to divide us.
    • This is also my impression... (12/03/2020, 17:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      It really does appear to be one sad miscreant repeatedly spamming the comments section with a slew of hateful and ignorant comments. No way to tell without their IP address (I doubt they're even really a Virgin Islander).
      I, and other Virgin Islanders of my generation know how to read and understand information put out by the CDC and the WHO, including information that shows where the hotspots for this outbreak are; they certainly AREN'T in the Caribbean region. Hopefully, the lone puerile miscreant repeatedly posting these inane comments will self isolate so that their ignorance doesn't spread further.


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.