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Banning cruise ships ‘a hard one’- Taxi driver

- but said ‘tough times call for tough decisions’
A number of taxi operators across the Territory have admitted that government’s bold decision to ban cruise ships to the Territory for a month to combat the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) will hit their pockets hard; however, they have agreed it is the right decision. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) addressing taxi and livery operators, and vendors of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and Craft Alive in Jost van Dyke Room at Maria’s by the Sea on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) addressing taxi and livery operators, and vendors of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and Craft Alive in Jost van Dyke Room at Maria’s by the Sea on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Photo: VINO
A crack in the border management system of the Virgin Islands has been identified at Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda, with concerns especially rife over the issue of the coronavirus possibly getting into the Territory undetected due to the absence of Immigration and Customs. Photo: VINO/File
A crack in the border management system of the Virgin Islands has been identified at Gun Creek, Virgin Gorda, with concerns especially rife over the issue of the coronavirus possibly getting into the Territory undetected due to the absence of Immigration and Customs. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A number of taxi operators across the Territory have admitted that government’s bold decision to ban cruise ships to the Territory for a month to combat the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) will hit their pockets hard; however, they have agreed it is the right decision.

"Tough times call for tough decisions and that is what is happening," a taxi driver from Virgin Gorda related to Virgin Islands News Online on Saturday, March 14, 2020 following a meeting with taxi and livery operators and Government Ministers led by Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) in Jost van Dyke Room at Maria’s by the Sea.

The meeting also included vendors of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and Craft Alive and was called to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry.

One taxi operator, who reached out to our newsroom, described the temporary discontinuation of cruise ships to the territory as "a hard one."

He added; however, "This is a situation of our health above making money. We know that government cannot compensate us fully for this dent in our pockets but this is a time we will have to be each other's keepers."

Gun Creek ‘wide open’

But while a number of taxi operators have expressed they had no choice but to agree with the closing the Territory to cruise ships, they still have issues with other boaters.

Requesting not to be named, a Virgin Gorda taxi driver said he has a serious concern about boaters breaching immigration especially at Gun Creek.

"Gun Creek is wide open, wide open like Mary at the Sepulcher and that is one area. Right now, even before all of this, I have publicly expressed concern. There are people out there who care only about themselves and will continue to do their own thing and disregard our laws as they have been doing all along so it looks right to them."

The concerned man called on government to increase policing of the waters “if the BVI is to remain one of the countries to escape this demon Coronavirus."

The man also called on politicians to put politics aside and unite on a common front to face the issues brought on by the global pandemic.

“No time for party, we have to and must fight this together."

18 Responses to “Banning cruise ships ‘a hard one’- Taxi driver”

  • Just saying (16/03/2020, 12:14) Like (34) Dislike (0) Reply
    The government is doing the right thing
    • @Just Saying (16/03/2020, 15:19) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wasn’t the hurricanes hard on not only them the taxis but all of us?
      It’s not them alone feeling it what about the Pier Park ? All those stores etc
      This is the right move and most countries locking down anyways eventually cruises would have stopped or slowed then we in something way bigger than irmaria ....

      Now is time to fasten our belts eat little live longer
      Pray ppl pray ...
  • Eagle Eye (16/03/2020, 12:29) Like (44) Dislike (2) Reply
    So all this time y'all taxi drivers up and down with buss load of tourists y'all ain't save nothing for a rainy month. Next
  • NezRez (16/03/2020, 12:48) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree. These Boating Companies must be stopped and checked at every angle. They can infect our entire island, killing all of us, and then run home to wherever they came from just for the greed of money. . It may seem hard but this affects all of us, not just Taxi Drivers. What we have to realize is that we need to keep this virus as far away as possible because in the long run, if you are dead from this, you won't have to worry about finances anymore.
    • lord o. (16/03/2020, 17:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's hard. Imagine one month turn to two months, three months. Lord have mercy on us. One case and everything will shut down... Thank God we have no case...
  • pat (16/03/2020, 13:04) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dam if you do dam if you don’t keep focus Mr Premier
  • Stipend (16/03/2020, 13:34) Like (4) Dislike (30) Reply
    PREMIER, can you give them a little Stipend to assist. Especially if it is their full time Job. If those who have other main sources of income, they can hold out.
    • Absolutely not (16/03/2020, 15:24) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
      Please don’t put anymore pressure on the Premier.
    • chupes (16/03/2020, 16:05) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
      Go SIDDUNG!! Ayo want a bleeping handout for every living thing. Like ayo forget the money government spending are TAX PAYERS DOLLARS! It's called SAVING. Stop stretching out your hand begging every minute! Ayo sickening!
    • lol (16/03/2020, 16:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Or they can run other services in the mean while. . .I see persons in town standing waiting for a van to head east. Others to head West. No need to give away money Lolololol Lmaooooo
  • No (16/03/2020, 15:46) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    @ STIPEND IF HE DOES THAT HE HAVE TO DO IT FOR THE ENTIRE TERRITORY. STAY FOCUS HONORABLE PREMIER YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK. WAIT AND SEE HOW THIS UNFOLD FIRST.
  • Hmmmm (16/03/2020, 17:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's ruff but it can get worst... One case will be ten cases. That will be complete shut down of restaurants and Bars and implementation of social distance. Then the BVI becomes bankrupt..
  • Hairy Bank (16/03/2020, 18:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My mother all ways tell me as a child that she always save money for rainy days .And I follow that principle I was out of a job for 6 months and as a single parent I was able to pay my bills and buy groceries Some of these men need to stop Banking at the Hairy Bank. Let us all take Heed the good old days are Gone and they ain’t coming back.
  • 4 Real! (16/03/2020, 18:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Come on, post Irma not one ship docked here for months, and all taxi operators survived. Mr. minister kindly allow such asking to fall on deaf ears please.
  • That'll (16/03/2020, 19:32) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Taxi men consern is about money what about if do u still need d ship think we come meet money a going left it check Romney
  • tretretrete (16/03/2020, 23:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    So why not stop flights from coming into the country as well
  • GG (17/03/2020, 21:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really? Our country an world in a state of emergency an all u taxis men can do is think about money ? JAH man


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