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Visitors caught in lockdown will get extended stay- Chief Immigration Officer

- Mr Ian B. Penn says processing will commence after curfew, so no need to rush
The Immigration Department says it is putting measures in place for accommodations to be made for visitors who are in the Territory and may need assistance in extending their stay. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands moved into curfew mode after the Territory recorded its cases of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands moved into curfew mode after the Territory recorded its cases of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19). Photo: VINO/File
Acting Chief Immigration Officer, (AgCIO) Mr. Ian B. Penn says visitor time will be extended until they are able to find the means of going back to their home country. Photo: VINO/File
Acting Chief Immigration Officer, (AgCIO) Mr. Ian B. Penn says visitor time will be extended until they are able to find the means of going back to their home country. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - When the Virgin Islands joined several other tourism-based Caribbean nations in closing its air and seaports on March 22, 2020 and subsequently implementing a total lockdown last Friday, March 27, 2020, in the fight against COVID-19, visitors in the Territory may have found themselves caught in an unfortunate situation.

Now, the Government of the Virgin Islands and Immigration Department are putting measures in place for accommodations to be made for visitors who are in the Territory and may need assistance in extending their stay until the 'all-clear' is given.

Extensions will be granted after curfew - Mr Penn 

Acting Chief Immigration Officer Mr Ian B. Penn, speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), said: "All visitors who are in the Territory and are unable to leave and who have gone past the date allowed to remain when they first entered, will be given the opportunity to come in at Immigration when the curfew is lifted to seek an extension."

Another total lockdown is expected to run from Saturday, April 4, 2020, until Thursday, April 16, 2020, where no one is expected to leave their homes as part of the Cabinet endorsed extended curfew.

According to Mr Penn, the time permitted to remain in the Territory will be extended for visitors until they are able to find the means of going back to their home country. "It is realised that it is no fault of their own and we need to encourage everyone affected to come in so that this anomaly brought on can be dealt with."

"I know that persons are worried about this and would want to come out in numbers, but I must state that this will be dealt with cautiously because we need to keep in mind the social distancing guidelines in place," he said.

Process will commence after curfew is lifted 

Mr Penn further noted that all persons coming in to do business with the Immigration Department, after the curfew is lifted, will have to make an appointment and only a certain number of persons will be allowed to be processed on a daily basis.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no need to show up and rush to get service if you do not have an appointment. Further details as to when persons can start to make appointments will be given at a later date," he said.

The Virgin Islands had moved into curfew mode after the Territory recorded its cases of the deadly coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Immigration Department also noted they will be extending the payment of services deadlines to three months in light of COVID-19.

Mr Penn can be contacted via telephone at 284-468-9527 or email ipenn@gov.vg.

24 Responses to “Visitors caught in lockdown will get extended stay- Chief Immigration Officer”

  • Really (03/04/2020, 10:52) Like (2) Dislike (63) Reply
    Really now? So these island people who here not going home?
    • I agree (03/04/2020, 11:32) Like (2) Dislike (42) Reply
      They taking up the lines and buying out the food... ship them home.
      • c (04/04/2020, 05:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
        Really I'm a native of the Bvi and I'm lockdown in another man country how would you feel if they same the same about me. I pray you don't have any family or friends lockdown in another man country, This is no time for this type of attitude let's all come together for the better and not for the worst. STAY STRONG MY BEAUTIFUL BVI AND STAY HOME TO HELP SAVE LIVES SO WE CAN BEAT THIS VIRUS
    • Real Talk (03/04/2020, 11:40) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      Boss you got be an idiot live and let's live you don't know where life is going to take you or your family a real virgin islander blogging
    • GG (03/04/2020, 11:43) Like (29) Dislike (1) Reply
      In these times more than ever we need a heart
      Show compassion for one another. Stop hating. Life matters, We all may die and the islands still belong to no one
    • tola (03/04/2020, 12:11) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      @really would you like that for you if you was in next man country? The world is round stop being like that.
    • really what (03/04/2020, 12:49) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      There you go again worrying about people who look like you and come from this region, but you don't have issue with people form other regions than the Caribbean visiting.
    • LCS (04/04/2020, 07:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are people from other countries, stuck here. Ignorant and prejudiced go hand in hand.
  • Visiting from France (03/04/2020, 10:58) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    I respond to posting from The Tourist Board and they are helpful. I will extend my stay with immigration but help me please, should I also contact Mr Penn too. I am little confused.
    • sss (03/04/2020, 20:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      relax and stay safe..no rush.
    • LCS (04/04/2020, 07:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes, you should email him to provide your information and where to contact you. He is the top Immigration officer. TB has been helpful but he is the Chief. It might take some time, but it will happen. You will get to go back home.
  • So (03/04/2020, 11:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    What about those in yachts? Noticed that the 17 chilling out in Road Harbor during the curfew have been joined by an additional five since we relaxed the lockdown yesterday.
  • Hope (03/04/2020, 11:33) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    One will hope that leadership of the territory will walk away from these experience and seriously examine labour and immigration along with border security
  • hh (03/04/2020, 11:48) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    @really. Sh*t up your @@@ wicked set of human.
  • Nice. (03/04/2020, 14:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice... Nice...Really Nice....
  • hello (03/04/2020, 15:17) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ Really, you know I feel your pain and I also feel the pain that people like you are causing poor innocent people in this island and around the world ,people like you and Donald Trump ,I am an American look at America you would have never believe that the mighty America could have fallen to its knees as it is right now it was not too long ago that they were taking people’s children from them and destroying them now look at what they are facing now they called down China who is the same country that they are running to for supplies now be very careful what you ask for it might be tight inside the face mask that you were wearing earlier .it might just be to late now ,did you think before you talk .
  • To France (03/04/2020, 17:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No worries. No harm in giving Mr. Penn a call.
  • Guyanese (03/04/2020, 22:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have 2 Guyanese Shawn and Daniel walking around here and there supposed to be on lock down. I only hope there don’t have the virus
  • Quiet Warrior (04/04/2020, 04:44) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Poor planning piss poor performance. Since government knew it was going to lock the borders shut to try to prevent, contain, Control and mitigate the spread of the deadly disease, it should have given visitors a few days( 3 days) to exit the territory. Similarly, locals should have been given 3 days to come home.
  • Ghost (04/04/2020, 06:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ Really.. you are one hateful person..when will u ever learn that we are all one .. regardless of what race or nationality we are we are the “Human Race”.. when will people like you ever learn and stop all the hating.. Love!.. it’s persons like you that help to have the world in this uproar.. end with all the hate and let us show love to one another.. isn’t this what God asks us to do.. quick question; isn’t tola an island as well? Guess what we are all island people . Stop with the hate before your mouth get you what you don’t want.
  • voiceofreason (04/04/2020, 10:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    It all came down to reactionary decision making by the Government of the day. They closed the borders to all incoming passengers and only gave a 5 hour notice. Immediately all commercial airlines canceled their flights as they are not going to run one leg empty as it would not be fiscally possible. So persons who wished to leave could not leave and those who wished to return could not. The reason why they closed the incoming border was because some persons failed to self quarantine? Yes those people were indeed very selfish but the Government should have seen this coming and legislated the Quarantine act to prevent that kind of behavior. That came later in reaction to their behavior.

    I would think that the best situation is to allow persons to leave who want to so should transmission happen it would be far more manageable. You would not have so many persons in lines at the groceries, pharmacies and other essential services.

    I am a supporter of this Government but I cannot support their reactionary approach during this pandemic.

  • ReX FeRal (06/04/2020, 14:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There's no need to extend any time. Just let the people leave after the 19th. Simple. Come on Penn.
  • Texas Willie (13/04/2020, 19:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Good to know. Thanks Mr. Penn. I'll send an email. No need to blow their phones up neither. I'm in no rush to return to St. Thomas. I love Tortola (despite a few @$$ho*( like @really) and St. Thomas is much worse off and locked down until April 30. So I couldn't even go back even if I wanted to.. Let's make the best of it. Cheers and stay healthy.



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