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Cabinet approves Phase 2 of Restricted Border Re-opening Plan

The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved Phase 2 of the Restricted Border Re-opening Plan to take effect from September 1, 2020, according to a press release from Government today, August 18, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has reiterated that the Virgin Islands is 'not yet out of the woods' regarding COVID-19 and has encouraged everyone to continue to observe the required protective measures in place. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has reiterated that the Virgin Islands is 'not yet out of the woods' regarding COVID-19 and has encouraged everyone to continue to observe the required protective measures in place. Photo: VINO/File
The Government of the Virgin Islands has said it will keep the Territory informed of its efforts to continue to combat COVID-19, and will continue to make adjustments, so that the people of the Virgin Islands will remain safe while it balances the economy starting with the rebooting and the revitalisation of the internal economy. Photo: VINO/File
The Government of the Virgin Islands has said it will keep the Territory informed of its efforts to continue to combat COVID-19, and will continue to make adjustments, so that the people of the Virgin Islands will remain safe while it balances the economy starting with the rebooting and the revitalisation of the internal economy. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved Phase 2 of the Restricted Border Re-opening Plan to take effect from September 1, 2020, according to a press release from Government today, August 18, 2020.

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in a statement titled “COVID-19 Update- Phase II” had said this phase of the Border Re-opening Plan will accommodate persons in the following categories with requirements for entry:

  • Work Permit Holder or Work Permit Exemption Holder
  • Immigration Status: Residing
  • Students of locally based Medical Schools and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College
  • Exceptional approval for persons employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands and its Statutory Bodies, Agencies and Boards; and Teachers (public and private)
  • Dependents (spouses and children) of Belongers, Permanent Residents, work permit holders, work permit exemption holders
  • Persons desirous of conducting business in the Territory

The Premier explained that Cabinet has also decided that the approved COVID-19 entry into the Territory, measures of mandatory quarantine, social distancing protocols, sanitisation and hygiene protocols and approved face covering (masks and shields) must be adhered to by all of the categories.

Special Categories of persons

Premier Fahie added that Cabinet also decided that the following special category of persons will be allowed in the Territory for no longer than five days:

  • Aviation crew
  • Maritime crew
  • Healthcare practitioners/medical staff:
  • Emergency maintenance, repair and other technical personnel
  • Other essential specialised workers, not mentioned are subject to approval by the Minister responsible for Immigration and Labour and the Minister for Health;
  • Diplomats

Other categories

Cabinet also decided that approval will be granted by the Minister of Health for emergency medical procedures while the following special categories of persons will be allowed to enter the Territory by application to the Ministers responsible for Immigration and Labour and Health with effect from Saturday, August 15, 2020:

  • Dependent (spouses and children) of Belongers, Permanent Residents, work permit holders, work permit exemption holders;
  • Persons employed by the Government of the Virgin Islands and its Statutory Bodies, Agencies and Boards; and teachers (public and private);
  • Persons who departed the Territory for medical purposes and those who accompanied those persons; all other category of persons must apply from September 1.

'Not out of the woods yet'

Premier Fahie said, “We are not out of the woods with COVID-19. People are returning in phase one and two. We must continue to remain vigilant as we cannot leave any stone unturned with COVID-19. That is why the social distancing measures must apply and adherence to the health protocol is a must. This is our opportunity to test the strength of our system, our protocol, our preventative measures and our commitment to a healthy and safe Virgin Islands. If we all follow the rules, all will be well.”

Premier Fahie also indicated that beginning August 15, 2020, persons who choose to quarantine privately will have to aid in the costs relative to the process, while on October 1, 2020, all persons entering the Territory will have to aid with the costs of their quarantine.

The Premier said the Government of the Virgin Islands will keep the Territory informed of its efforts to continue to combat COVID-19, and will continue to make adjustments, so that the people of the Virgin Islands will remain safe while it balances the economy starting with the rebooting and the revitalisation of the internal economy.

21 Responses to “Cabinet approves Phase 2 of Restricted Border Re-opening Plan”

  • The Vincy Plan. (18/08/2020, 21:52) Like (51) Dislike (51) Reply
    I went to St Vincent. It's easy, understanding, efficient and comon sense, they took the test,. Get me a hotel
    to quarantine and a Taxi,. In 2 days a health worker call me and say my test is negative and I'm free to go but keep my mask on.... What's wrong.in adopting a plan that is.good and works..
    • eyes (19/08/2020, 06:49) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
      Talk about a next country St Vincent cost us thousand of dollars because of false positive at along says something about the way they testing so recommend another country as an example.
  • Wasted funds... (18/08/2020, 21:53) Like (37) Dislike (49) Reply
    Why 14 days quarantine if they have to negative tests done in 48hrs one by our own medical professional...
    • @ Wasted funds (18/08/2020, 22:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      As per Government Covid-19 Update yesterday,
      “Please note that both patients had recently returned to the territory, quarantined, and in accordance with the established health protocols, were tested at the end of their 14-day quarantine period. The minister said both persons are exhibiting mild symptoms and will remain in isolation while being monitored, treated, and retested until recovered.”

      There you have it.

    • please (19/08/2020, 08:12) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Some of you always feel what BVI is doing doesn't make sense yet the results show that BVI is handling this crisis better than most especially the UK.
  • facts (18/08/2020, 23:32) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fahie you have kept us safe
  • vi (19/08/2020, 05:02) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    It’s just political to make other countries believe they doing a great job I have my own I can qaunrantine home I done paying tax and social security
    • Local (19/08/2020, 06:52) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Born here or not these are the rules and we know you all don't like to follow rules.
  • next (19/08/2020, 05:16) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    you need to stay where you at and not come and tell people how to run they country that is the rules here 14 days are stay your backside home we need to protect our people I hope that government doesn't allow you all to change anything that they are doing
  • Above the law (19/08/2020, 05:45) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    What about uk navy and governor office staff and governor friends? They above law? They working playing sailing with him? Why no quarantine or payment for them?!

    Stop letting them get away with breaking the law. We know they don’t respect or care for us. But we should stop letting them get away with breaking law.
  • joke (19/08/2020, 06:07) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Please go to DMV, employees don’t wear mask there , government offices have mask exemption I understand
    • TORTOLIAN (19/08/2020, 08:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      IF, I CAN RECALL THEY'RE WORKING BEHIND GLASS.
      • re:tortolian (20/08/2020, 10:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        jack*** they need to protect from each each other as well. think before you talk fart.
    • Joke is right (19/08/2020, 08:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      Government better set example first before enforcing laws to charge people for not wearing mask. Most Government employees dont wear mask . Customs , Port Authority, Complex etc. So before charging any business establishment and other residents , please start with charging your Government workers first. Set example for other to follow.
      By the way how come no health officials is educating the public about the dangers of face mask ? There was Doctor on youtube educating the world about some of the dangers of wearing face mask for prolong periods and the people incharge of youtube took it down like they don't want us to be educated.
  • wow (19/08/2020, 11:26) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    the way yall talk you would swear Tola is a big country like the UK or the US or anywhere else.....its easier for us to contain the virus here....ayo truly believe here is a state ay.....plus why we always got nothing good to say about ppl from other islands..........The mindset of most of you is sickening.
    • @SMH (19/08/2020, 12:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I have not read or heard anything good from expats about BVI or its people either so it goes both ways.
  • Local (19/08/2020, 15:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHY THE GOVERNMENT STILL ALLOWING CHILDREN THAT DONT BORN HERE INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THEM NEED TO STOP! THE SCHOOLS ALREADY FULL!!! WITH COVID19 WE DONT CANT SOCIAL DISTANCE! MY GOVERNMENT YOU NEED NOT TO BE ALLOWING NEW STUDENTS TO THE BVI SCHOOL SYSTEM.
  • Scrubisland (19/08/2020, 18:38) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    October 1st the borders are opening
  • Thankfull (19/08/2020, 18:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    or they not school where they are from they want to make the bvi the most racist and bad still bring in children for school wow shame full


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