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Water bill waived for 30 days

- As Gov’t seeks to bring economic relief to residents during COVID-19 partial shutdown
In an effort to promote healthy practices, Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the suspension of charges by the Water and Sewerage Department for water to residences for a period of 30 days in the first instance, effective Thursday, March 19, 2020. Photo: W&SD/File
According to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), Government understands that the precautionary measures that have been put in place for everyone’s safety will affect the livelihood of persons, hence the waiving of the water bill for 30 days. Photo: VINO/File
According to Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), Government understands that the precautionary measures that have been put in place for everyone’s safety will affect the livelihood of persons, hence the waiving of the water bill for 30 days. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- As the Andrew A. Fahie-led Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government seeks to mitigate the effects of the partial shutdown of the Territory in response to the rapidly spreading Novel Coronavirus globally, residents will be spared a water bill for the next 30 days, effective March 19, 2020.

This announcement was made by Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) in a statement on March 19, 2020.

Free water!

“In an effort to promote healthy practices, Cabinet has approved the suspension of charges by the Water and Sewerage Department for water to residences for a period of 30 days in the first instance, effective Thursday, March 19.

“We are doing this because we understand that the precautionary measures that have been put in place for everyone’s safety will affect the livelihood of persons,” Hon Rymer stated.

In addition, according to Hon Rymer, water delivery will be offered free of charge to existing Water and Sewerage Department customers in areas affected by interruptions in the water distribution network for a period of 30 days effective Thursday, March 19, 2020.”

The Minister further said no more than three (3) customers are allowed at a time inside of the Water and Sewerage department offices at Baugher’s Bay.

Ralph T. O’Neal Administrative Complex

Meanwhile, persons visiting and working at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administrative Complex are encouraged to use the sanitisation stations.

The security personnel, according to Hon Rymer, have been trained to maintain the social distance recommended when addressing persons entering the Complex.

He also said sterile efforts have increased as the door handles are periodically wiped daily.

DMV

At the Department of Motor Vehicles, only ten (10) persons will be allowed into the operations area at a time.

“We encourage persons to call and make appointments as this will minimise inconvenience and aid in a smooth flow of business."

Persons are also being advised to have their insurance agent email to the DMV the proof of insurance, if possible. This would enable the department to maintain the social distance requirement.”

"COVID-19 has stormed the world and your Government has risen to the occasion, with a strong resolve to ensure that the people of the Territory remain safe now and in the future," Hon Rymer said.

13 Responses to “Water bill waived for 30 days”

  • blessings (20/03/2020, 07:12) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you so much Honourable Fahie and you ministers of cabinet, we appreciate you so much, thank you
  • Tortolian, State Side (20/03/2020, 08:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    There you go Mr. Premier, great job. Same thing is being done here. The State I live in did the same thing. Water bills are suspended for the next thirty days, light bills are suspended for thirty days, the electricity company will not turn of your lights even if you have a pending turn off notice and if a person is scheduled for eviction, landlord’s are instructed to stop the eviction or pay a heavy fine.
  • HMMM (20/03/2020, 09:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We wasnt getting any water for weeks now in hannahs
  • Struggling Man (20/03/2020, 09:45) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    How about waiving the electricity bills?
  • nick is the name (20/03/2020, 10:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks, please ensure it is available though
  • Cistern water (20/03/2020, 10:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do we get a credit if we have cistern water?
  • Ghut girl (20/03/2020, 10:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time I get something for my vote for kye
  • Tortolian, State Side (20/03/2020, 12:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The Government is going to give each child under the age of 18 per household $500.00, 18 and adults $1,000. My company is still paying us a salary and we can also work from home.
  • Umm (20/03/2020, 16:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    water bills be SUPER cheap tho, so what are we really saving? 3-7 dollars?
  • Billfargo (20/03/2020, 16:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Should waive it for the next 30 months, and then he would be making much sense.........
  • First Bank (20/03/2020, 20:20) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    will the government of the day/make sure the banks in the British Virgin Islands give mortgage holder a 90 day grace period/a number of tenants will struggle to make rent payments due to current health conditions/leadership matters in these trying time.....the banks in the BVI takes certain consideration to sell off the people’s property
  • voter of the 6 (21/03/2020, 09:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    JURT BE THANKFUL
  • TOWERS WATER (22/03/2020, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SEND us some water in Towers please.
    We had water and a bad leak for months, Now they fix the leak there is no water.


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