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CoI pushing ahead despite severe COVID outbreak in VI

- Inquiry Secretary Steven Chandler says Commissioner has his deadline to meet
From left: CoI Commissioner Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom and Secretary to the Commission Steven Chandler. The United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry has indicated it will still move ahead with its work despite the COVID-19 outbreak in the VI. Photo: VINO/File
Radio talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Virgin Islands Government to suspend its cooperation with the UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry so that more focus can be placed on the pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Radio talk show host Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Virgin Islands Government to suspend its cooperation with the UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry so that more focus can be placed on the pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Regional body CARICOM, in a recent statement, expressed concern that the CoI may also be preventing the democratically elected government from effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. Photo: Internet Source
Regional body CARICOM, in a recent statement, expressed concern that the CoI may also be preventing the democratically elected government from effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Even as the Virgin Islands (VI) continues to experience the worst hit of the COVID-19 outbreak since the global pandemic started a year ago, the United Kingdom-sponsored Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has indicated it will still move ahead with its work.

This position comes amidst calls for the government of the VI to suspend its participation in the CoI to focus attention on the deadly pandemic, which has seen a record number of cases locally.

624% increase in cases in 1 week

The VI has a staggering 659 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of July 7, 2021. Just a week ago on July 1, the cases were 91 active conformed cases, representing an increase of 624% in just 7 days.

Health authorities have also hinted that the figures could be higher given the unwillingness of some persons to get tested.

National Epidemiologist Harmony Brewley-Messiah indicated that some persons were ‘sick like dogs’ yet refusing to seek help, while regional body CARICOM in a statement expressed concern that the CoI may also be preventing the democratically elected government from effectively carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

CoI has a deadline – Chandler indicates

However, despite the worrying situation, Secretary to the Commission Steven Chandler, speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), said the inquiry will forge ahead. This is even as the UK Government has rejected a CoI into its handling of the Coronavirus pandemic over concerns about COVID-19 infections.

“The Commissioner [Sir Gary R. Hickinbottom] remains sensitive to the situation concerning COVID-19 in the Territory. He was appointed to conduct an Inquiry with specific terms of reference within a limited time period,” Mr Chandler told VINO.

As such, he said Mr Hickinbottom will continue to work to that end, and has taken steps, to strengthen the COVID-19 measures already in place for CoI hearings.

Witness lawyers for virtual-only appearance 

According to the CoI press notice, some of the steps include limiting access to the Arbitration Centre via keycard, the ability for witnesses to appear virtually and the removal of witnesses’ lawyers from appearing in person at hearings.

“They [Witness Lawyers] will not be able to attend in person even if a witness (whom they represent) decides to give evidence in person,” Chandler said in his notice of July 7, 2021.

12 Responses to “CoI pushing ahead despite severe COVID outbreak in VI ”

  • The show must go on (08/07/2021, 10:00) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the entire government falls to pieces due to one member being out of the office each day then we're in far more trouble than I first thought.
  • EVIL AGENDA (08/07/2021, 10:34) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    What is so important that the COI has to have this urgent deadline. Could it be part of the AGENDA. This world is rotten to the core. The sad part of it is this is just the beginning of sorrows and the BVI is too naive to handle the situation for much longer. This is why the COI deadline as UK will have to take over to maintain control through the rough times ahead. The nightmare is just beginning to unfold. Even so people will refuse to turn from their evil ways. The BVI is surpassed only by USA and China when it comes to foreign direct investment does that mean anything to you. Our people are totally clueless to our reality and that is a shame.
  • Ya awl (08/07/2021, 10:39) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
    Why you keep saying about the UK Government rejecting a COI. The UK will deal with its own in good time. We should concentrate on the COI here in the BVI. By referring to the UK and constantly sniping the legal process that’s being undertaken, it would seem that there is much to hide. We should support the COI and await the findings. We the people know that there has been wrong doin but let us find out the true extent.
  • math (08/07/2021, 10:50) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    It’s simple Math that an increase in testing will result in more positive cases being identified. We never had only single digit cases and never will. Life must go on.
  • No surprise... (08/07/2021, 11:34) Like (2) Dislike (12) Reply
    It just shows how cold hearted they are.
  • wow (08/07/2021, 11:59) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    GOD IS REAL NOT THAT VACCINE MAN GIVING PEOPLE TO TAKE...AYO GOING GET STRIKE DOWN FOR Y'ALL WICKEDNESS
  • omg (08/07/2021, 12:12) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    They need some ......... up there guts
    Whey all our ...... man dem gone
    Chase dem crazy bald heads outta we yard
  • Interested (08/07/2021, 13:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Let them finish,do their report and we’ll see what happens.
  • wow (08/07/2021, 13:58) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    If this does show the agenda of the UK government I don’t know what will. The UK could not accommodate a commission of inquiry because of the COVID situation in the country but the BVI must? I hope the international community is paying close attention.
  • vex (08/07/2021, 14:17) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    The racist mob needs to go bottom line
  • my people (08/07/2021, 17:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not about past and present Gov this about we us our generations.
    Are we going to give up what our forefathers fought for?
    Will we watch knees on our necks or kids our grand kids our generations?
  • Mystery man (09/07/2021, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are all aware that this virus affects the entire world but the wickedness of man's heart will always be exposed some day no matter how long it might take. See what happened after Hurricane Irma. There was a campagne to repatriate expats. When the place was booming abd florishing, the was little to no justice for workers rights who were criminalized. Now the evils are exposed for what abd who they are, then the tone of the song has changed to have the COI take a backseat because of the covid surge?. When God say its time, its time. No matter what man says. We all have to pay for our deeds. It is wriiten" Much is expected from whom much is given". We need to all ask ourselves a question. " WHEN ARE WE GLING TO TURN AWAY FROM SELFCENTEREDNESS AND GREED AND TURN TO GOD?"


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