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'Total disregard' for COVID-19 protocols @ bars & nightclubs– CEHO Michael

- bar & nightclub owners summoned to meeting to address issue
Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr Lionel E. Michael said social distancing, hand hygiene and other protocols put in place to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the Virgin Islands went out of the window when bars and nightclubs opened last weekend. Photo: Internet Source
Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr Lionel E. Michael roughly 60 bar and nightclub owners and managers were invited to an electronic meeting to hash out the issue of observing COVID-19 measures. Photo: Facebook/File
Chief Environmental Health Officer Mr Lionel E. Michael roughly 60 bar and nightclub owners and managers were invited to an electronic meeting to hash out the issue of observing COVID-19 measures. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Chief Environmental Health Officer (CEHO) Mr Lionel E. Michael said social distancing, hand hygiene and other protocols put in place to prevent the spread of the Novel Coronavirus in the Virgin Islands went out of the window when bars and nightclubs opened last weekend.

Mr Michael said a total of 25 of these types of establishments were approved for reopening on the premise that they adhered to the protocols.

“Both parties were at fault, especially the public. The public showed total disregard for observing social distancing, hand hygiene, the personal protective equipment (PPE) and the general control and direction given to them of keeping the coronavirus at bay. And, some bar owners did not do enough to enforce those good measures that they put in place in order for them to open.”

Meeting held

The Environmental Health Chief said, as a consequence, roughly 60 bar and nightclub owners and managers were invited to an electronic meeting to hash out the issue.

At the meeting, the discussion surrounded ways bars and nightclubs could improve and maintain the guidelines handed down for them to observe in order to operate.

He said, coming out of the meeting, the authorities decided to include a section that gives patrons the responsibility just like the bar owners and operators to maintain the guidelines.

“We have addressed [this], and we are going to send out modified and improved guidelines,” he remarked.

If these establishments fail to comply, they can be shut down until the matter is rectified, Mr Michael stated.

The CEHO made it clear; however, that shutting down a business operation is not what they want to do, “but at the same time we are here to protect public health, and we will do what we have to do to protect their business.”

35 Responses to “'Total disregard' for COVID-19 protocols @ bars & nightclubs– CEHO Michael”

  • resident (10/06/2020, 09:27) Like (15) Dislike (52) Reply
    Covid is a scam, look at the protests in America they ain't social distancing so why should we, free up the place and end this lockdown madness
    • @resident (10/06/2020, 09:56) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
      The only scam Is you... da*n fool.
      • @@resident (10/06/2020, 11:24) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
        You awfully tough online, but I bet you wouldn't say that stuff in real life, enjoy being a sheep
      • @@Resident.. It is Scam (10/06/2020, 12:20) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
        Why is simple stuff so difficult for bright people to comprehend.. it is a scam... Add some wisdom to your intelligence.. Think.. listen . research...
      • resident (10/06/2020, 13:13) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
        Boy sit your 5 dollar azze down before I make change
    • No (10/06/2020, 10:53) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      with now more than 25,000 new cases a day in the US can you do the math or will I get a 3rd grader to explain?
    • the rock (10/06/2020, 12:04) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
      How can you spread something that us not here, all the government got to do is do they dsmn job and make sure those coming in dont bring it!
    • ? (10/06/2020, 18:43) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ resident: u are free to leave if the laws of bvi holding you back...you sound white any way
    • Local (15/06/2020, 15:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      SOUND MORE LIKE A EXPATS NOT A DAMN RESIDENT
  • Clear explanation (10/06/2020, 09:40) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
    So how do I go to a strip club to get entertained on my lap and social distance?
    How do I tap it and social distance how do I tip and social distance? How do I place the money in their.....and the money is unsanitized ?
    Wondering minds wants to know for a friend
    • rewrsdffds (10/06/2020, 10:55) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
      use condom, doggy style, no kissing
      your too tight to tip so not an issue
      with your hands they can sanatize the money after the same way they sanatize themselves after you touch them
      enjoy your night

    • @ Clear explanation (10/06/2020, 11:17) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      You can have all of that in hell. Your choice
  • Hmm (10/06/2020, 09:44) Like (17) Dislike (13) Reply
    Done with this controlling people. We are not Goat.
  • old (10/06/2020, 09:47) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    You Talking About Bar. Open The Church's. We the People Praying For the Bvi. Not The Bar.. God Is Good Brother..
    • @ old (10/06/2020, 11:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      The church is not a building. We as believers and FOLLOWERS of Christ are the body of Christ, which is the Church.

      Nonetheless, the buildings are open.
      • Funny (10/06/2020, 11:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        the church is not a building so the bar should not be a club either. Church on zoom and facebook and club on fb and zoom too. What good for the goose should be good for the ganda
  • Video (10/06/2020, 09:55) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    Trying to control the customers and operators of these 25 bars and nightclubs is a waste of time so close them down. The government should require each bar/nightclub to fit a minimum of 6 CCT video cameras at the entrance, the bar, the tables, dance floor, etc. to video all the customers and employees while the bar/nightclub has persons on the premises. If there is a corona virus outbreak at one of these bars/nightclubs then the contact tracing of the potential carriers will be made easier by watching the videos and quarantining these carriers. Hopefully this video surveillance will prevent another lockdown of the whole country.
    • @Video (10/06/2020, 11:05) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      You sound so STUPID!!!!!!! All of that for a virus that will spread regardless of all the nonsense?
  • AMERICA (10/06/2020, 10:06) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    The only reason the virus is not so bad right now is because of the summer heat. Just wait until winter starts, a new strain is going to pop up.
    • @americaidiot (10/06/2020, 10:58) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      Yes the heat stops it like India, Iran, Brasil all really cold places the virus is now rampant in, idiot.
    • @AMERICA (10/06/2020, 11:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      From WHO's website:

      Exposing yourself to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25C (77F) degrees DOES NOT prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

      You can catch COVID-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of COVID-19. To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.
      • AMERICA (11/06/2020, 08:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        The w.h.o is funded and controlled by the Chinese don't trust them
  • ?? (10/06/2020, 10:29) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    How did youall expect it to turn out? What's the size of most bars? Who can drink through a mask? Yea, when you inspected, the stools were 6' apart, but when the bar opens, the music start up, friends link up, you expect them to dance 6' apart? The bar maids are normally the main attractions at a bar. They pull the money in and that's why the owners go to lengths to import them. Look at the bar with an old big belly bartender and show me its success. The same gloves going take down the bottle them, touch the cups and straws, collect money, scratch whatever and smooth down the guys and then do it all over again. To expect another result puts youall in lala land.
  • one eye (10/06/2020, 10:33) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    he better go back to Antigua he and funny man
    • @one eye (10/06/2020, 11:27) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am a born BVI Islander and can say this man is doing his job and is NO NONSENSE!
  • agreee (10/06/2020, 11:00) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    I drove through Huntums Ghut last Friday and it was like carnival there. This is unacceptable and I am glad the authorities are doing something about it. If I had my way, they would all stay closed.
    • @agreee (10/06/2020, 11:26) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      This is SO TRUE! They gather together outside the pink building in Huntum's Ghut and this has been going on during the soft curfew. Last week Thursday evening I was shocked to see the huge crowd especially without masks outside chilling.
  • On the beach (10/06/2020, 11:23) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why speak of bars and night clubs and not the beaches. The beaches are more overcrowded than during festival times.
  • Shut them down (10/06/2020, 13:28) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Shut them Down!!! These people are putting the general population at risk when they go and party and then come looking to come among persons who are really trying not to get sick and putting those persons at risk.
  • Covid 19 (10/06/2020, 16:24) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    they had NO RIGHTS opening bars common sense could have told them this. how can u social distance in a bar/night club??
  • FYI (10/06/2020, 16:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The nature of bars and clubs does not allow for social distancing. I am not sure of what the government was expecting but I am not surprised in the least. And FYI, many of the bars were open during the curfew without practicing safe distancing. They need to stop pretending like it's a secret or something.
  • Paranoia1 (10/06/2020, 21:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    While everyone is now concerned about opening up the Country ..No one is paying attention to New Traffic Ordinance being implemented...And the fact that the Government has not created any new parking Areas for the Vehicles that used to use Main Street as their Parking Lot.. We are trying to turn a Town into a City simply by creating fast lane Traffic could prove difficult for drivers to get into the fast Lanes.. From un designated Parking Areas...
  • Big Slick Willie (16/06/2020, 00:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Chill people. There's ZERO cases on the island. Enjoy and you tight a$$ed perverts standing around looking at dancers and smacking a$$e$ TIP. Those girls have not worked in months either and most have at least one kid. Enjoy but TIP. They're not dancing for their health people.


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