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VI 'is highly capable of responding to crises' - Gov Jaspert

- Warns; however, that COVID-19 is different & Territory must respond accordingly
On the heels of the announcement regarding the first two cases of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Territory, Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert that the territory is equipped to respond to the crisis, like previous crises in the past. Photo: VINO/File
These are difficult times the Governor warned and said it will likely remain difficult for some time to come. Photo of shoppers line up outside RiteWay Food Markets in Pasea Estate on March 26, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
These are difficult times the Governor warned and said it will likely remain difficult for some time to come. Photo of shoppers line up outside RiteWay Food Markets in Pasea Estate on March 26, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - On the heels of the announcement of the first two cases of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Territory, Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert has said the VI is equipped to respond to the crisis, like previous crises that have hit the British Overseas Territory.

"As we saw in 2017, this Territory is highly capable of responding to crises when we work together. But this crisis is different and we must respond accordingly. It is global and it will be sustained. The world will change in a way that it wouldn’t had it not occurred," Gov Jaspert said in statements released yesterday afternoon, March 25, 2020.

Governor Jaspert cautioned; however, that the virus is capable of impacting everyone, "old or young; citizen, resident or visitor; whichever island you live on; whatever your ethnicity; however you make your living; whether you are rich or poor, this impacts us all equally."

No stigma is getting COVID-19 

Further, the governor warned that now is not the time for neither selfishness nor panicking or fear, "this a time to remain calm and to come together, not physically though, but in our resolve as a community. We have a tradition of helping each other. The majority of us may only get mild symptoms if we contract COVID-19 but some may be more seriously impacted." 

Governor Jaspert noted that, as Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said, there is no stigma at being confirmed with a case of COVID-19 but one must relay any concerns with the Medical Hotline, "that number is 852 7650. It's ok to seek support and to be tested and we are ramping up our testing capability."

He encouraged all in the Virgin Islands to abide by the social distancing rules, "as the Premier said, washing your hands for 20 seconds, limiting physical contact with people and the other areas of advice."

Difficult times ahead - Gov Jaspert 

These are difficult times, the Governor warned and said it will likely remain difficult for some time to come, "One way this crisis is different is that we have no idea how long it will last."

"We can’t see this disease but we know that you can help stop being a chain to spread it. Your actions can help protect us all and in particular our most vulnerable and elderly in the community," the Governor said.

An 8:00 pm to 6:00am curfew remains in place tonight, Thursday, March 26, 2020, with a complete 24/7 curfew to start from tomorrow 8:00 pm, Friday, March 27, 2020, until 6:00am April 2, 2020.

13 Responses to “VI 'is highly capable of responding to crises' - Gov Jaspert”

  • Not elected shut up (26/03/2020, 17:38) Like (0) Dislike (21) Reply
    Do why is he speaking then!!!
  • Disinterested (26/03/2020, 18:10) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    The V.I. was once a close knit territory where each one help one. It lived by, ‘it takes a village to raise a child; the Village meant something but today it is just words and a longing for yesteryear. The change in economic fortunes has caused Virgin Islanders to become selfish with a bad attitude and not giving a rat’s ass about others. True, the Guv is a politician and politicians put a positive spin on things. Keeping it real, the jury isn’t still out the V.I. capability to deal with crisis. How did it handle the monster hurricane of Sep 2017? True, the VIP is doing better.
  • NICK (26/03/2020, 18:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Well say.
  • My girl (26/03/2020, 19:54) Like (0) Dislike (11) Reply
    Was he here then?
    • Thoughtful Sailor (26/03/2020, 20:52) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not only was he here, he pretty much saved the day.
    • Phil McCracken (27/04/2020, 16:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Phil the Governor has been on island for 2 weeks if I am correct, he was one of the first on the street’s assessment the damage. Long before many of our own.
      Jasper is doing a great job, Jesus look at some of the other country’s.
      Let’s give the man a break!
  • Wink Wink (26/03/2020, 21:11) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    The current government administration have a better interaction with the Governor unlike the pass government administration and my comment is my opinion nothing political. We are a British overseas territory let us working hand in hand with them while seeking to managing our local affairs
    • @ wink wink (27/03/2020, 10:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Is that why the loan guarantee is silentlygoing bye bye, RDA is an exclamation point and the rumbles of a long ago hurricane waits to greet a new hurricane.
  • Anonymous (26/03/2020, 21:14) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    the government should have limit the number of products people can buy because people selfish them buying everything and not thinking about others ........ now is not the time for neither selfishness nor panicking!!!!!!!
    • tola (26/03/2020, 23:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I keep saying this selfish people
    • Disinterested (27/03/2020, 08:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Anonymous, IMO the V.I. is not a nanny state. The private sector should put limits on critical items to ensure that the most customers can share in scarce goods and services; they are in a better position than government to do so. From a customer perspective, limits should be placed on water, paper towels, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes, cleaning products, alcohol, meat, chicken, fish, bread........etc.
  • Cil (27/03/2020, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LOL! All I want is some paint so that I can do some painting when I get bored.
  • war crimes (27/03/2020, 10:49) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    President Trump calls it China disease he knows exactly what he is saying.China created this bacteria to kill the protesters the state consider their enemies. Now it get out of conteol affecting the world killing so much innocent people.. im single handedly as a nobody is calling for the stats of china to be charge for war crimes... Soon you will hear President Trump supporting me...he knows..


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