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Another 24/7 lockdown possible if public slackens up!- Premier Fahie

- Premier Fahie says he will not wait to do what's necessary to ensure safety of Territory
The Virgin Islands could be placed on another 24/7 lockdown if residents refuse to comply with social distancing practices and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, says Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1). Photo: YouTube/HoA
‘If at any time we as a government believe that persons are not putting safety first and practising social distancing and personal hygiene, a 24hr curfew will be re-instituted and you can hold me to that,' Premier Andrew A. Fahie said.
‘If at any time we as a government believe that persons are not putting safety first and practising social distancing and personal hygiene, a 24hr curfew will be re-instituted and you can hold me to that,' Premier Andrew A. Fahie said.
The Virgin Islands has only one positive case of COVID-19, since two persons have since been deemed recovered. Photo: Internet Source
The Virgin Islands has only one positive case of COVID-19, since two persons have since been deemed recovered. Photo: Internet Source
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - The Virgin Islands could be placed on another 24/7 lockdown if residents refuse to comply with social distancing practices and other measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), in a statement during the Seventh Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, Tortola today, Thursday, April 16, 2020.

With the COVID-19 pandemic high on the agenda, the Premier updated the House on some of the measures the Virgin Islands is taking to protect against the virus and said he is committed to making the Territory the trendsetter regarding response to the virus and as a regional economic leader.

COVID-19 going nowhere soon – Premier Fahie

‘The magnitude of this virus is big. This COVID-19 is now a matter that will not be going away anytime soon, so let us prepare our minds and actions and everything around us for the long haul,” Hon Fahie told legislators.

The Virgin Islands will be coming out of two weeks of complete lockdown on Monday, April 20, 2020, and will see a nightly curfew in place until June 1, 2020, in the first instance.

Businesses will be reopened and persons will be allowed to move about but are not permitted to have gatherings of more than 20.

The borders, beaches and schools will remain closed.

And, according to Premier Fahie, the public is expected to comply or risk another complete lockdown.

‘If at any time we as a government believe that persons are not putting safety first and practising social distancing and personal hygiene, a 24hr curfew will be re-instituted and you can hold me to that,” he said.  

Premier Fahie said as the leader of the Territory, he will not wait to do what needs to be done to ensure the safety of the public and all the Territory.

“Our elders have taught us that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, so let us not fool ourselves, this is far from over. We must move in a wise way,” he said.

Financial relief package

Hon Fahie said more information will come on a financial relief package in his capacity as Finance Minister, but noted that it is still a work in progress, being stewarded by Cabinet, and promised to make an official statement and public discussion soon.

The Premier also urged prayers for what has been done in the VI so far. “It is only because of him [God] that we now only have just one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the BVI today. Together with God’s help we will continue to be safe and we will rise again.”

24 Responses to “Another 24/7 lockdown possible if public slackens up!- Premier Fahie”

  • tretretrete (16/04/2020, 16:40) Like (88) Dislike (5) Reply
    Spread what you say we dont have unless u kno something we dont kno....
    • @hmmm (16/04/2020, 18:16) Like (12) Dislike (11) Reply
      They do ! They pushing their agenda and people can’t see it, idc I’m local and I know because a lot of us know these guys growing up we feel they would never sell us out but look at how they’re moving
    • @hmmm (16/04/2020, 18:21) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
      They know something, and that same something will be the reason they lock the public back inside and say see, y’all were safer inside... i
  • please people (16/04/2020, 16:57) Like (17) Dislike (10) Reply
    U all coperate obey the instructions please...dont give these men more reasons to lock us down, they would be glad to do that.. Cant take no more lock down...
    • @please people (16/04/2020, 18:14) Like (20) Dislike (10) Reply
      Stop being a slave and stick your chest out ! Your a free being stop letting these people you call your government lower your energy with fear
  • Martial Law (16/04/2020, 16:59) Like (47) Dislike (15) Reply
    Told y’all that your rights have been stripped but y’all didn’t want to believe me, it’s happening all around the world, they want you to work from home and do online this and online that, your freedom has been stripped over night while y’all were asking to be kept in lockdown, it’s gonna happen again they going lock us right back down... this is a light version of martial law that their calling a “curfew” since when do people get tased for a drink of water during a “curfew”, everything is fear based so they can control y’all but you’ll wake up and see eventually... then when all is said and done you’ll hear the news about how our economy took a hit
    • Peaches (16/04/2020, 18:28) Like (27) Dislike (3) Reply
      You are so correct! Only whose eyes are open will see what is going on.
    • @Martial Law (16/04/2020, 22:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      Lol funny how you was right, they found another case so we might just go back into lockdown
  • Sureeee (16/04/2020, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yeah, yeah....they were not even listening and taking the lockdown serious LOL
  • Painting The Perfect Picture (16/04/2020, 17:10) Like (43) Dislike (15) Reply
    He’s saying the same speech like all these rest governments buh the virus ain’t going nowhere soon, stop fooling the people, how can the virus which isn’t alive survive in a hot climates that’s always above 80 degrees... why aren’t people looking at both sides of the coin ? These guys sell us out and painting the perfect picture to fool us off
  • PF (16/04/2020, 17:20) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    @Hmmm.., EXACTLY!!
  • Rick (16/04/2020, 18:07) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    Something ain't right about this whole thing
  • hold up (16/04/2020, 18:28) Like (86) Dislike (11) Reply
    Let me get this straight no one has the virus and we most still social distance from each other ? Lol is it me alone find this ridiculous ? What’s the point of social distancing for the “long haul” stop pushing this anti social agenda on the PEOPLE !!!!!
  • TiyadOfYall (16/04/2020, 20:23) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
    Y’all so ignorant lmfao. It ain’t going anywhere applies to the world, not just the bvi. Even if it dies down in the bvi, people from states gonn still have it and bring. Shut up and stay ayuh ass home man
    • @ TiyadOfYall (16/04/2020, 21:31) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      Don’t waste your breath I’ll be outside regardless
    • Gage (17/04/2020, 05:59) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @Tiyadofyall SMH It doesn't even make any sense trying to talk to these people.
  • Challenger (16/04/2020, 23:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    are you all for real. ? do you not see how.many are being taken by the virus.....how many mass graves are being dug .....how many people cant bury theor loved ones...bodies being taken out of hospitals and stored in shipping containers...and you complain about a little.hardship thay we all.need to endure to save a few lives..get real...this government is doing this for EVERYBODY health and safety..........not just to lock us down.....why do you think USA and UK still have increasing numbefs or cased and deaths...because they are NOT locking down. can you imagine where we would be if we didnt have this last lockdown...how many more of us would be infected...get real people and stop with your hard done by attitute and conspiricy theories.....be grateful that governemnt is strong enough to look out for ALL OF US......and not exluding those who seem not to care if they or their family folk catch this or not.....
    • @Challenger (17/04/2020, 12:54) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I totally agree with you but sadly ignorance is bliss. There are those who are not taking this disease seriously...they rather watch conspiracy theories that are floating around on YouTube than watch/read actual news. It's like until they get sick or someone close them get sick with Covid 19 and dies they won't believe its real. I am grateful that I live in a country where Government is proactive in trying to save lives by trying to ensure the number of people who get it will remain small. I am gladly staying home because what may be a mild case of coronavirus to some will be a deadly dose for others.
  • The Reaper (17/04/2020, 06:38) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    We need to stand up for something? Or rights ,what rights?.Someone tell me,please!!!!!! . This is so Crazy once again,they put a price on our heads so they can control us, but if we say no more.A hundred 2hundred or even 4h .die hard people come together an protest this ...Hmmmmm.Wonder if we really scare of being lockup...No protest so we have too take the lock down....
  • Watch this video (17/04/2020, 09:42) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Here is a video from BBC explaining why it’s so important to stay home...

    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-52319956?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5e9948a2ffb41c067100e26d%26Why%20staying%20at%20home%20is%20a%20matter%20of%20life%20and%20death%262020-04-17T13%3A31%3A13.682Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:fd911b35-5b01-4ec4-b24a-4905deeedad6&pinned_post_asset_id=5e9948a2ffb41c067100e26d&pinned_post_type=share

  • Nia (17/04/2020, 13:59) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    If this virus starts running rapidly here because of selfish people who are still mingling in groups, then we are all sitting ducks. Those who don't hear will feel, and then people will be screaming for the Premier to save them. Well....TOO LATE BY THEN! Better 6 feet apart than 6 feet under...It's you're choice.
  • Windy (17/04/2020, 16:31) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lock up all the violators, if they’re not nationals have Gus start filling out deportation orders. No more foolin around!
  • Bigger than you know (18/04/2020, 11:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    HON.Fahie in the game of prevention there is such a thing as over kill. I respect your leadership in this time but realities are they if you lockdown to country to long you will have much more than Covid 19 on your plate. I am no politician or do I know what it takes to run a country, but what I do know is reality. Follow me the People of the Virgin islands for a minute and some if not all will agree to what I am about to say:
    Dear Premire,
    Covid 19 has presented itself to our shores and I will give you credit for the measures you has taken to keep us safe. I agree with your phrase plan to reopen the country. But here is what I dont like, the threats to impose a next 24 hour lockdown yes it will keep us safe but will create a next problem I believe is clearly over looked. Now the bvi isn't big and it doesn't have products to export on a massive scale to run the economy, we survive on tourism and financial institutions and with that said listen to my reasoning with you. Safety first but will lose one pillar already tourism and we not sure when it will be back as it once was, and if you no careful well you and the governor with your lockdown tactics we will lose our last hope of survival in this country which is financial institutions. Question how long you think the banks and the trust company will turn a blind eye to paying staff a full salary to stay home until you decide to open the place for 3 days. Yes safety first but we have to think, where we go if we allow covid 19 to tear our economy to shreds. They are safety protocols put them in place and have faith yes it will have does who will not comply that where the police can take charge. You dont need to threaten people with a next 24 hour curfew. To add testiment to my statement FSN compliant of persons being dishonest why you think is that and not for nothing financially person are punish as they are paid only if they work. You came driving this 24 hour curfew it will case more and more people to be jobless and ultimately homeless and the government cant begin to assist 40 thousands people month to if we reach a crash economy state which can happen if you dont stop with this hard curfew thing. You have your measure in place so much so that you can welcome home local from even hard hit countries of the Covid 19 and have confident that we will be good why talk about a possible 24 hour Curfew. Punish the non compliant and allow the economy to hold on to its last standing pillar.

    Thank you,
    Even if you dont listen what happen next will be on you. I know when the road get tuff all hell is going to break loose covid 19 pandemic or not serious problems will come to pass.


    I sincerely hope that you use this pandemic to prepare the country for the future as history has shown virus has come stronger and stronger before I not going to waste my time and blame anyone but the cases of these non nature disasters need to be properly investigated and the person or governments involved needs to be held accountable. You know what I find funny the the poor and the innocent has to pay for the promotion of the rich and nasty at heart.

    People this is indeed bigger than we can possibly imagine. By one thing God dont Sleep and he will put all his people through this but I say take a lesson and prepare yourself your love one for the most to come life is simply about education from small we are thought to prepare yourself for the real world and the lesson dont stop at graduation day all of us have the ability to see and comprehend what is happening around us. Be your own governor be your own leader control your decision and let's be safe as we ride out this storm. It confusing I know but one thing I learnt is that stress not only kills it stops your brain from processing the solution thats in front of you. Stick together dont be selfish in our thinking we hear that doctor and the main problem the world have (Scientists) the egar and impressionist people advised that we stay 6 ft apart for one another let do that dont come complacent. I have a saying NO CURE NO HOPE but with faith we will raise again.

    Please I ask for those who like to play immigration calling out persons from the neighboring Caribbean country please stop it for it ugly and you give the world more reason to laugh and attack black people and our countries. No man is better than the other and reality is that history has thought us nothing. Like seriously and I only say not calling no one nothing but. Even animals teach us that United no enemy can over power us. You never see a lion the mighty king o the jungle try to attack more the one prey at a time its scatter the pack but it focus on the weak. So please let unite in these times and show the world the dispite there efforts to under mind the black race that we are stronger together and cant be stopped once we stand United.

    #One Caribbean.
    And yes I am from here but I also from the Caribbean. So listen and let come together and stop the division.


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