Opposition Leader calls for closure of schools for next 30 to 60 days
"As your Loyal Opposition, we are not here to be critical but instead offer our support to the Premier and his government where possible and make additional suggestions which we intend to do today," he said.
Implement more measures - Hon Penn to Premier
The Opposition Leader was at the time hosting a press conference along with Opposition Members, Hon Julian Fraser RA (R3), Hon Melvin M. Turnbull (R2) and Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4).
Hon Penn also suggested that the Premier needs to go further with the measures to protect the Territory and follow the best practices of nations who are managing the spread of the virus, "More specifically as it relates to the issues of containment, social distancing, mass gatherings, and economic support and impact and our technological response."
Hon Penn added that Government needs to look at protection for vulnerable groups above the age of 60.
According to the Opposition Leader, the VI must now use models from the US to control the spread of the virus locally, and this he said can happen through a number of factors, including heeding warnings of healthcare officials, social distancing, and restriction of mass gatherings for 60 days.
Closure of schools
"The time is now, to close all public and private schools for the next 30 - 60 days, as we go through this transitional period. The young persons amongst us are being suggested as being the carriers and the risk is too great, to do otherwise," he said.
Hon Penn, on behalf of the Opposition, suggested homeschooling, lesson sharing and virtual classrooms as measures to mitigate the effects of school closure on the learning process.
He said the step of school closure would be a necessary step and made more suggestions for technological responses for the dissemination of information.
According to World Meter, to date there have been 182,400 Novel Coronavirus infections and 7,144 deaths globally.
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20 Responses to “Opposition Leader calls for closure of schools for next 30 to 60 days”
It would have been better if you can come up with your own ideas because we in the islands are not as prepared for a crisis like this to start acting crazy plus there are no recorded case as yet here in BVI.
I believe you are opposing for the sake of opposing because if you wanted to show unity at a time of crisis you would have sat with the Premier and his government to make your suggestions and present them.
Stop being fake!
Remember when Orlando needed Fahie during a difficult time to go to London he called him.
Parents needs to work to pay the bills...especially the high cost of RENT.
I do understand the minister's point of view, but at the same time he needs to also talk about ways the government will assist parents, should the schools be closed for such a period of time.
Ain't next week school close for ester?
Man This behavior is like the virus well here and the BVI being undercover!!
Why wasn't we sent home Days Before Imaria to prepare? other than being sent home half day b4 the storm reach!
Father God Protect and take control of this Virus please.