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Cruise ship blocked from calling on VI over Coronavirus fears

- M/V Costa Favolosa refused call on VI as Territory opts ‘to err on the side of caution’
Cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa, scheduled to dock in the Virgin Islands today, February 26, 2020, has been disallowed from doing so over Coronavirus fears. Photo: Cruisemapper
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Irad Potter: The Government of the Virgin Islands in a statement today, February 26, 2020, said after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and other senior health officials, a decision was made that cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa will not be allowed to call on the Virgin Islands today. Photo: Youtube/File
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Irad Potter: The Government of the Virgin Islands in a statement today, February 26, 2020, said after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), and other senior health officials, a decision was made that cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa will not be allowed to call on the Virgin Islands today. Photo: Youtube/File
Italy is sealing off entire towns and canceling major events after 322 cases and 12 deaths made it the most infected country outside Asia. Photo: Business Insider
Italy is sealing off entire towns and canceling major events after 322 cases and 12 deaths made it the most infected country outside Asia. Photo: Business Insider
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa, scheduled to dock in the Virgin Islands today, February 26, 2020, has been disallowed from doing so over Coronavirus fears.

Government in a statement today said after consultation with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and other senior health officials, a decision was made that cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa will not be allowed to call on the Virgin Islands today.

The statement said it was reported that a number of passengers had flown directly from Italy and had joined the ship in Guadeloupe within the last six days. This period is within the 14-day incubation period of COVID-19.

“In light of the public and health safety actions being taken in Italy in reaction to COVID-19, including the quarantine of select cities and cancellation of its own carnivals, a decision was made to err on the side of caution.”

Italy scrambling to counter coronavirus outbreak

Italy is sealing off entire towns and canceling major events after 322 cases and 12 deaths made it the most infected country outside Asia.

All the deaths involved people who were elderly or had other health complications, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica and the Associated Press (AP) reported.

According to Business Insider, the country has put 11 towns on lockdown with the hope of containing the spread.

The two most infected regions are Lombardy and Veneto in the north, which contain the major cities of Milan and Venice. But the virus has also spread farther south, with regions including Tuscany and the island of Sicily also reporting cases on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Discussions continuing with cruise lines

According to the statement from the VI Government, following Cabinet being apprised by the CMO and health officials, the Ministry of Health and Social Development is in continued discussions, and is working with all cruise lines calling on the VI to ensure enhanced health and safety screening procedures and practices.

“The cruise industry is of critical importance to the Territory and all efforts would be jointly made on a case-by-case basis to ensure the health and safety of residents and guests.”

As a reminder, members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and observe good personal hygiene practices, such as (1) washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; (2) avoid the touching of eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; (3) avoid close contact with people who are sick; and (4) remain at home if you are ill.

“The Government of the Virgin Islands wishes to reassure the public that it remains vigilant in ensuring that the safety and health of the people of the Virgin Islands and its visitors are foremost in the decision making process,” the statement read.

Virus spreading rapidly across Europe

According to the Washington Post today, February 26, 2020, France reported the first death of a French citizen from the epidemic as cases grew rapidly across Europe, with Spain confirming eight new cases in the past 24 hours and new infections reported in Germany, Greece, France, Croatia, Austria and Switzerland. A new case in Brazil marks the first known case in Latin America. Although China announced a decline in new confirmed cases on Wednesday, the number of infected people soared in South Korea to more than 1,200, with more expected in the coming days as the state attempts to test 200,000 people.

Globally, at least 80,000 people have been diagnosed with the illness.

The death toll from coronavirus is over 2,700 worldwide, with the vast majority in mainland China.

19 Responses to “Cruise ship blocked from calling on VI over Coronavirus fears”

  • ... (26/02/2020, 14:25) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    well sah you hear thing!
  • Right Move (26/02/2020, 14:26) Like (50) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad for the passengers and for all here who rely on the cruise ship tourists, but it is the correct move for public health safety. Thank you CMO and other other senior health officials!
  • time will tell (26/02/2020, 14:44) Like (3) Dislike (20) Reply
    If C B was alive that ship was docking.
  • virus (26/02/2020, 14:51) Like (5) Dislike (15) Reply
    This doesnt look good at all...
    • Reader (27/02/2020, 09:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      VIRUS IF IT GET TO TORTOLA YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN . WHEN WILL YOU WAKE UP AND FACE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS VIRUS IF THE LORD SHOULD COME BACK AND WALK THE EARTH AND TELL US GET US SAFE GUARD OUR SELVES YOU WILL CRITICIZED. MR PREMIER DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF THE BVI FROM ALL DESATER.
  • 123 (26/02/2020, 16:38) Like (43) Dislike (2) Reply
    Great big America keeping people out. A small nation like we will be wiped out if appropriate actions are not take. Money is not everything. Cannot make money if we dead.
    • eyes (26/02/2020, 17:04) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
      I'm a taxi operator at the pier and I agree and I'm thankful that the government made a decision not to allow the ship to enter even though I depend on the ships to make a living my family and country comes first and I hope that the government keep on top with this virus and don't put our country at risk any ship that have any left of sickness onboard refuse it best to be safe than sorry our country can't deal with this.
      • A thought (26/02/2020, 20:18) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
        Maybe we residents, BVIlander’s, Belonger’s, Resident’s, and the Work Permit holders’s, should make a point of visiting the cruise pier business’s on days like this and give them some local business to help out. Not sure that that helps the taxi drivers, but it could help the other businesses.
  • Hmm (26/02/2020, 17:01) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think it have many italians expats in bvi please check their going off island and coming back ty.
  • Ghost (26/02/2020, 17:01) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    @virus.. are you kidding me!! What do you mean this doesn’t look good.. Dr. Potter, I applaud your decision.. don’t you know the health of a population ie a country’s wealth?.. our borders are already too open and slack when it comes to screening for these highly contagious diseases.. do you not understand the seriousness of this disease that if 1 is infected person enters our country what a grave risk this is and the health ramifications this could cause for a small country such as ours .. just to think of quarantining persons is frightening to me .. it cannot always be about the “dollar”, common sense must prevail and Thank God Dr, Potter has some .. we have to be very careful with letting persons into our country, especially now in view of this deadly virus..
  • BVI STRONG (26/02/2020, 17:08) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes it about time these cruise ship stop docking in the Bvi until this virus is put under control. It’s now in the Atlantic Brazil to be exact.
  • concern (26/02/2020, 17:10) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why are those people working in out restaurants and ports not wearing face mask and gloves. They are the first in line to deal with visitors??????
    • lol (26/02/2020, 22:16) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
      Sewage running all over and garbage burning openly? I think we have alot bigger things to worry about other than that virus.
  • Taxi Man (27/02/2020, 00:35) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    dah wuza bard mov
  • Hog Tail (27/02/2020, 05:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a very serious disease this is going to eventually lead to a food crisis for every country around the world is closing there ports for now.Does our goverment realise how serious this matter is. what are we doing to take the nessecary steps to insure we are not lose in space like we were after HURRICANE umer
  • Mandingo (27/02/2020, 06:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    So ayo dey worrying bout Financial services going down?... check this... one little virus and not only Tourism, not only the BVI, but the entire world going down. Don't mean to sound cruel but its a fact. Folks check yourselves. Get your selves in order. Please. They have already sold out of gloves and masks in many stores all over the world. Do you have yours? Check yourselves. Get right with God. Do good and be good to each other. Stop running after money. Run after God. Don't let this virus get caught up on you un-expectantly. Do you have a back up plan?
  • Buddy (03/03/2020, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI - Stay Vigilant. I applaud your proactive efforts.


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