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Supermarkets given permission to open until 9:00pm!

- Police will be ensuring compliance with surname policy, says Governor Jaspert
Cabinet has agreed to allow supermarkets only to open until 9:00pm to cater for the large amount of shoppers to get their needed supplies ahead of the 14-day lockdown which starts on the evening of Saturday, April 4, 2020. Photo: Facebook/File
Both Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, and Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, have informed the public of the extended opening hours allowed to supermarkets. Photo: VINO/File
Both Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, left, and Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), right, have informed the public of the extended opening hours allowed to supermarkets. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Cabinet has agreed to allow supermarkets only to open until 9:00pm to cater for the large amount of shoppers to get their needed supplies ahead of the 14-day lockdown, which starts on the evening of Saturday, April 4, 2020.

The Territory is on curfew but it has been relaxed to allow persons with surnames beginning from A to I to shop today, April 2, 2020.

On Friday, persons with surnames from J to R will get their turn while on Saturday, persons with surnames from S to Z will be allowed.

Supermarkets will be allowed to open up to 9:00pm today as well as the remaining two days for shopping.

All other essential businesses will open from 6:00am to 6:00pm.

Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in announcing the extended shopping time allowed to supermarkets this afternoon, April 2, 2020, emphasised that this will only apply to supermarkets, at their discretion.

Extra security to ensure compliance

He also said, tomorrow and Saturday, law enforcement will be checking to see if persons are adhering to the surname system in place, and reminded persons it is a necessity to have some form of identification.

Further, Governor Jaspert said only essential persons and those shopping for the most vulnerable should be shopping during 6:00am and 8:00am.

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement today, said all persons with surnames from A through I who did not get to shop today will be allowed to shop on Friday, April 3, 2020.

"Extra security at all supermarkets will be in place to ensure the rules and social spacing measures are adhered to.

"We’re in this together," Hon Fahie said.

45 Responses to “Supermarkets given permission to open until 9:00pm!”

  • confused (02/04/2020, 18:08) Like (38) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why weren’t extra security and police out today to ensure compliance, anyone with half a brain knew people were going to abuse the system and it was going to be a mess
    • Prospect (02/04/2020, 18:40) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      They were by Prospect roundabout checking everyone this morning and yes, u had the ignoramuses not wanting to obey orders and thus holding up the traffic.
      The police had to be threatening to lock some of them up. There was even a rental that refused to turn back and eventually sped off.
      I did see the officer take out his phone and called so I hope he was found and locked up. Too much indiscipline in this little place.
    • To confused (02/04/2020, 18:42) Like (16) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yep, they should have had added security from early this morning. And common sense alone would have tell you that there would have been HUGE crowds out, so the 9pm supermarket time should have been already in place. SMH what a huge mess today was
    • All districts (02/04/2020, 22:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      And tomorrow...the BVI Hunger Games will commence.......
  • Penny (02/04/2020, 18:29) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need extra police and security at Rite way ..Virgin Gorda and Rose's Virgin Gorda..they are not checking ids and leyting in who they want.
    • How (03/04/2020, 09:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why put something in place and not do the necessary fallow up.
      No one was checking IDS of anyione going to the supermarket or on. The road.
      I swear everyone came out yesterday because they are know they can getaway with doing the total opposite opposite of what the government announced.
  • WOWW (02/04/2020, 18:29) Like (24) Dislike (9) Reply
    Was so disappointed in rite way today for the confusion caused also in the RVIPD for not checking IDs. It was pure corruption.
    • resident (02/04/2020, 19:49) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      Banco also didn't check for ids, it was just as chaotic because many people cheated the rules
  • Curfew (02/04/2020, 18:30) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Today was a mess the entire A-Z was out today.
  • Seniors (02/04/2020, 18:31) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    Disappointed how they allowed other persons over the seniors.
  • Lord (02/04/2020, 18:31) Like (4) Dislike (91) Reply
    For the island people in them lines locals should’ve been able to go first damnit
    • fool (02/04/2020, 19:05) Like (35) Dislike (4) Reply
      All ah we paying the same money. Since you from mars and we from islands, we you don't jump on your broom and fly away. Even God fed up of people like you and all ah us getting punish. The Lord know mankind ain't going change. Let us change our ways man. Your life isn't better than nobody else own. REPENT. I go repwmd too
    • @Lord (02/04/2020, 20:04) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you don't have nothing positive to say don't talk period.
    • wise up (02/04/2020, 22:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wow
    • Island People? (02/04/2020, 23:27) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Everyone is Island People!
      BVIslanders ARE “Island People”!
      Just stop this xenophobia.
    • @Lord (03/04/2020, 01:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wait your turn
      All over the world ppl do that doesn’t matter where others in the lines are from

      It’s ppl like u forgets the greatest commandment and takes God out ur thoughts

      But he’s coming u better believe it his wrath is already unleashed

      I pray u turn from ur wicked ways Soo he can heal this land

  • Returning for seconds (02/04/2020, 18:51) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    So, my question is...how will they know who didn't get to shop today? A person could have shopped today and still go back tomorrow claiming they didn't ship...Did the government think of That? Pure Pandemonium
    • @returning for seconds (02/04/2020, 20:23) Like (29) Dislike (0) Reply
      After actually getting into a supermarket today, no person in their sane mind will want to endure again tomorrow what they had to today.
  • I 2020 (02/04/2020, 18:57) Like (0) Dislike (9) Reply
    U need to shut up nd stay home
  • Martial Law (02/04/2020, 18:57) Like (42) Dislike (2) Reply
    But when will the “virus” be back in town ? Did it take a break so we can get some groceries ?
  • ID2020 Bill gates (02/04/2020, 19:05) Like (47) Dislike (6) Reply
    Ah soon coming with the vaccines so y’all can go back out to work and kids to school, So just keep them inside a lil longer for me Andrew.. Your doing a great job so far ! Continue to make us proud !
  • now (02/04/2020, 19:07) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Everyone out today got virus to take home.
  • Rule is Rule.. (02/04/2020, 19:41) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    They have tomorrow and Saturday.. Shut it down at 6pm. Stick to the plan.. Saying no to certain people maybe hard.. but Rule is Rule.. This is how disobedience indesciine and disrespect starts and continue...
    • yea right (02/04/2020, 20:56) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
      @ rule
      not all of us have life good like you/your bread maybe done butter so you can look down from Ivory Tower taking piss and rules are meant to be broken what is so wrong with allowing the residents of this territory the opportunity securing food to eat
  • hh (02/04/2020, 20:10) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    @ lord people like you make this place get like this. What the a$$ wrong with you.
  • Make a list (02/04/2020, 20:55) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    When shopping try and show up with some semblance of a plan. With police limiting the amount of shoppers in the store at any given time, there was far too much casual browsing, people on their phones calling family members "hey, check in the fridge, do we need a case of Coors?" No, you don't have to ask that for every single thing. Just buy the damn thing and get out so people don't have to sit outside for four hours baking.
    • @make a list (02/04/2020, 21:03) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      ...I want to like this comment a million times. Same thing I was discussing with my husband. Every shopper should have about 15mins to shop before reaching cash desk, no phone usage allowed. Security to mo itor each aisle.
    • @make a list (02/04/2020, 21:04) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      me again, on second though, 15minutes too long, 10 minutes.
  • Come on (02/04/2020, 21:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tortola is an island u know that an island is a piece of land with water all around it so Tortola is an island when these people will change Marley say when the rain fall it don't fall an one man house top remember this viruses is not preduis mind
  • cromwell (02/04/2020, 21:14) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think everyone is missing the main point here, today’s antics have totally defeated the object of the 14 day shut down, why bother, after all the waiting in line crowding, the entire island is now effected if just a few have the virus
  • Lee Quan Hue (02/04/2020, 21:29) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I'm sure atleat 30 person in the BVI got Covid-19 today. BVI count soon take off.
  • right (02/04/2020, 22:04) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    @make a list. True and the Priemier told them that. People head just hard.
  • question (02/04/2020, 22:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about us who had to work the whole day with surname from A-Z that don’t drive. I am one of them. I’m only now seeing that the time was relaxed or else I would’ve stayed in line but then to get home would be another thing. If I can prove my case can I be able to get me a few things and back home to hold me in these crucial times since I don’t have to work????
  • Voters (03/04/2020, 03:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just love the vip government they looking out
  • Not Good. We aint wise (03/04/2020, 07:10) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    We over reacting in every way.. Think.. All of the caribbean cases from what im reading are imported from a cold country...This Virus for months weve been told hate the heat cannot survive in the heat.. The evidence of this is now out....The American Media will not report this because the longer this last its to their benefit.. The longer the media can keep an interesting story going and alive the better their ratings are, keep them relevant nd must watch TV... The Medi is all about one thing "Ratings" Ratings brings the cash in..Trust me .. Thats the concern every morning.. Ratings..if a show aint getting enough rarings it get drop because its not bringing in any cash.. by the way Ratings simple means Amt of viewers.. Companies always look for the Shows or the Station that has high ratings or viewing to advertise with because they are looking for milage valu for their advertising money..So. The Media / Reporters has a Job Just like anyone of us.. They have a boss and they get big pay, They have an Agenda to make profit.. Part of that is to keep this Carona story alive and interesting for as long.. .Yep... Im a TV News Freek, They spoke about the Sunshine the heat as a possible cure one time nd they never talk about it again... A quick ntural cure like the sun the heat will kill the story quickly. They cant afford that.. their objective is to stretch this out as long as possible to their benefit.. Coming from a simple person like me u may just strupes and laugh or say nonsense....soon u will understand... Truth is like the Hurricane season.. We hate it.. We dont like it, but we cant stoo it...
  • legal team (03/04/2020, 08:12) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am very disappointed that the higher authorities would allow supermarkets to open until 9pm.

    What are you saying to the security forces?

    Go out there and secure the territory, while an infectious disease is spreading?

    Lets get serious.

    Everyone in the BVI is aware of the curfew to come.

    Once you give people an outing-freedoms,as a privilege in a curfew, they will abuse that privilege.

    Shut down the country 24 x 7 to prevent to spread of the disease
  • think about it (03/04/2020, 08:32) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does the government realize that the supermarket is also an essential business and should be allowed to be open 5 days of the week if not 7..from 7am-4pm. And with this we should not be experiencing this kind drama.
  • josiah'sbay (03/04/2020, 08:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need online and phone call-in orders and people needs to willing to make smaller orders and compromise with the store with what they have available. Reduce the lines. Expedite! Expedite! Expedite!
  • Outsider (03/04/2020, 09:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Many of you bloggers are too cynical. God forbid the virus explodes in the VI , there won't be a plane full of body bags arriving. STOP, complaining and count your blessings.
  • guy hill (03/04/2020, 14:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I was in line on yesterday and saw persons whose last name did not, did not fall in slot A-I. I did not see any Id's being checked either. But hey..... shit happens.
  • Windy (03/04/2020, 17:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you think your space is being invaded, people are to close, just cough a few times.


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