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Tourists can ‘swim around their boats’ during 4-day quarantine – Premier

-says he will no buckle to pressure & let tourists intermingle with public
Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said during the 4-day mandatory quarantine period after tourists arrive in the Virgin Islands (VI), they can swim but they will not be allowed to intermingle with the public. Photo: Google Maps
The Premier was at the time speaking during the debate of the ‘COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2020’ at the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Photo: HoA/File
The Premier was at the time speaking during the debate of the ‘COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2020’ at the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020. Photo: HoA/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said during the first 4-day mandatory quarantine period after tourists arrive in the Virgin Islands (VI), they can swim but they will not be allowed to intermingle with the public.

The Premier was at the time speaking during the debate of the ‘COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2020’ at the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

“I’m hearing persons trying to push me that they have persons coming on boats and they want them to go here and allow them to go there, they can't spend 4 days on the both alone... Swim around the boat!” Hon Fahie said.  

Urging tourists to jump in the sea and pass time while under quarantine, he further said, “If you have a bubble area make sure it doesn't involve getting in contact with anybody and if we aren’t sure about that, let's reassess it.”

Gov’t won’t put public at risk for ‘lawless people’ – Premier

The Leader of Government Business reiterated that he, nor his administration will buckle to pressure from businesses and persons seeking permission to flout COVID-19 health guidelines put in place for the reopening of VI’s tourism sector.

“I cannot put the majority of the people's lives in the Virgin islands at risk for a few lawless people or some person who just want to make the money and still don’t be fair to their employees, I will not do it!” he said.

As part of the December 1, 2020, entry protocols, all travellers arriving in VI, inclusive of citizens, Belongers, permanent residents and work permit holders, will be required to pay just $175 per person in associated costs and undergo a mandator 4-day quarantine.

The $175 inclusive cost will cover a traveller app, monitoring bracelet and two COVID-19 tests once on VI soil, as part of major adjustments to the re-opening strategy.

21 Responses to “ Tourists can ‘swim around their boats’ during 4-day quarantine – Premier ”

  • West side (28/11/2020, 12:46) Like (18) Dislike (18) Reply
    Stand your ground premier
    • Hmmmm (28/11/2020, 20:38) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
      @West side
      You are probably one of his cronies whose bread is buttered on both sides.
  • Oooh. Boiii (28/11/2020, 13:07) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Are these brackets WATER proof ???
  • tretretrete (28/11/2020, 14:09) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    Pls allow them to swim in your pool too!
  • joke (28/11/2020, 15:02) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    buckle they did ,they allowed work permit holder to roam VG free no tracking, no security until the 4th day test and they allowed them out this was 2 weeks ago, people are coming and going and if you have money well,you can do what you like.
  • think (28/11/2020, 15:17) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The bracelets are not waterproof!
    • useless (28/11/2020, 20:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The bracelet and apps have no track record of working,,,,We are juping into deep waters and not all of us can swim our way out,,,,
  • Servant of the Most High God in Christ Jesus (28/11/2020, 15:43) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Protocol is protocol. What good for the geese is also good for the ganda. However, words of wisdon chosen and fittle spoken are advisible. Remember, "We are not yet out of the woods."
    Stay on the high grounds. Speak softly, but carry a bit law stick. Strike if you must, but with the seasoning of compassionate love. Compassionate love? Why? Because God say so. Blessings!!!
  • Rubber Duck (28/11/2020, 16:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The stupid criminal bracelet isn’t waterproof. Hello.
  • Travel guru (28/11/2020, 19:43) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    Not coming to the BVI thanks to the Premier
    • bvi (29/11/2020, 07:33) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Travel guru "Not coming to the BVI" because you can't do what you want eh...well live with the fact that our lives matter...follow the protocols...we always had to follow yours.
    • Greg (29/11/2020, 14:10) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Travel guru...thank you very much for not bringing us Covid-19 to our shores. I see when you cannot get your entitled way, you try to bully. NOT HERE! This is not the infected Trump land where you think you rule.
  • A huge waste (28/11/2020, 20:36) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are just following blindly,,,,, These apps and bracelets are only useful after the first four days,,,,, But for the first four days physical security is key,, Physical security is paramount for reliable safety at least up until They get their landing test results,,,, Stop the experiment,,, Go the sure way,,,, Physical security for the first three to four days,,
  • Lb (29/11/2020, 02:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sound so utterly stupid. No concept of what tourism is in the VI.
  • Lawless People (29/11/2020, 05:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lawless people can do whatever they want and always have and always will.

    As long as they pay the government their kickbacks.
  • oldie goldy (29/11/2020, 10:15) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    deh idacity ah dis mahn
  • 3rer (29/11/2020, 14:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    why would guests want to swim around their boats during quarantine? Don't you guys know that it's a harbor? Fools!

    When people are maintaining the boats they discharge all kind of chemicals in the water and also discharge waste in the harbor from boats! You want people to swim in that kind of polluted water???
    • boatsafloat (30/11/2020, 16:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Boats sail off the dock to bays and anchorages around the BVI - charter guests have 100s to choose from so they can be pretty isolated in paradise and swim in our pristine waters and sail on to the next bay. If you can't handle 5 days sailing from one piece of heaven-on-earth to another then you need to stay in your snow and slush towns and cities. The whole world is under siege so what makes anyone think that the BVI is its own planet with no exposure risk that one can arrive and lead life as it was before the whole pandemic hit. The short-sighted attitude and inability to sell the notion that 5 days sailing the BVI's beautiful waters is something to look forward to after living the past 9 months in the ongoing crappery of the USA and Europe is mind blowing SMH. Our people are entrepreneurs - money gets spent at grocery and liquor stores, take outs can be ordered and delivered contactless - reach out to charter companies and share your take out menus and cocktails, use the run about boats to deliver - the folks will come ashore and visit the bars and restaurants once cleared.
    • boatsafloat (30/11/2020, 16:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      guests aren't quarantining in the marina - they leave for anchorages. Boats are required to have holding tanks and are supposed to discharge them in open sea away and at least 1 mile from the shore
  • Dither & Delay (30/11/2020, 13:01) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nothing if not waiting until the 11th hour Premier.


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