In anticipation of increased visitors to the Virgin Islands over the New Year’s weekend, officials from various Government agencies including Customs, Immigration, Police, Treasury, and the BVI Ports Authority are in high gear to provide extended services to facilitate their clearance according to a missive from the Premier’s office. Photo: BVIPA

Premier and Minister of Finance, who is also the Minister responsible for tourism, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley, convened a special meeting on December 29, 2022, to receive an update on plans to serve clients over the holiday weekend and for the remainder of the tourist season. Photo: GIS/File

The release added that special operational hours for clearance services for international marine vessels (ferries and charters) at Dog Hole on Jost Van Dyke will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight on Saturday, 31st December.

Additional officers will be deployed to facilitate the processing of passengers and all agencies are putting additional measures in place to ensure efficient processing of visitors to reduce wait times on arrival.

The release noted that the West End ferry terminal will continue to provide late clearance services from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m and Marine vessel operators are reminded that they should arrive at the West End ferry dock by 8:00 p.m. to facilitate clearance.

Arrivals after 8:00 p.m. should proceed to the Road Town ferry dock for clearance up to 9:00 p.m. Operators are being urged to adhere to the instructions of the dock master at each port of entry.

Meeting held to coordinate teams 

Premier and Minister of Finance, who is also the Minister responsible for tourism, Dr. the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley, convened a special meeting on December 29, 2022, to receive an update on plans to serve clients over the holiday weekend and for the remainder of the tourist season.

“Plans are being put in place to train additional officers to assist with clearance at the busier ports of entry. He expressed appreciation to the border control agencies and encouraged them to ensure a consistent level of courteous and professional service to residents and visitors,” the release noted.

The Premier said he is grateful that the borders are now open to facilitate easier travel for many visitors to local shores and is looking forward to the planned transformation measures to improve the efficiency of the services provided at the ports of entry in the first quarter of 2023.