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Further travel restrictions may be needed to keep new COVID strains out- Hon Malone

- Said VI cannot get weary in well-doing
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL); however, says further travel restrictions may be necessary to continue to keep the territory safe. Photo: VINO
There are travel bans from certain countries such as the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic due to the emergence of new strains of COVID-19. Photo: Internet Source.
There are travel bans from certain countries such as the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic due to the emergence of new strains of COVID-19. Photo: Internet Source.
According to the latest Covid-19 update on February 13, 2021, the territory has only 4 active cases of the virus and all of the cases and their close contacts are in quarantine. Photo: Facebook
According to the latest Covid-19 update on February 13, 2021, the territory has only 4 active cases of the virus and all of the cases and their close contacts are in quarantine. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- As countries in the region and further afield battle with the coronavirus pandemic, including new strains of the virus, the Virgin Islands intends to remain proactive in keeping the territory safe.

Some of the current measures that have proven to be effective so far are imposition of curfews, social distancing, sanitising, wearing of masks, limiting of gatherings, limiting the ports of entry, mandated tests and quarantine for persons entering the territory and travel bans from certain countries such as the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic.

According to the latest Covid-19 update on February 13, 2021, the territory has only 4 active cases of the virus and all of the cases and their close contacts are in quarantine.

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL); however, says further travel restrictions may be necessary to continue to keep the territory safe.

"We have to meet as Cabinet to see if there is any other country we have to be mindful of in terms of whether or not persons coming in will have to go with the fourteen days or if we have to ban persons who are not from here, who doesn't have work permits from here, from coming into the territory," Hon Malone said during a press conference last week Thursday, February 11, 2021.

‘We cannot get weary in well-doing’

The question of the 3-hour curfew which remains in place, from 2:00am to 5:00am, even though there are reportedly no recorded cases of community spread of the virus, was also brought up at the press conference.

"We cannot get weary in well-doing," said the Health Minister while appealing, "Just a little bit longer, just close your doors, just go inside and close your doors until this passes over."

Hon Malone noted that leaders of other Caribbean countries have scoffed at the night curfews but are now having to implement even harsher curfews than what is in place in the VI.

20 Responses to “Further travel restrictions may be needed to keep new COVID strains out- Hon Malone”

  • DEAD IN THE WATER (15/02/2021, 10:03) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
    Tourism is done for...see you guys in two to three years.
  • Keep safe (15/02/2021, 10:09) Like (23) Dislike (7) Reply
    Why not having curfew from midnight to 05:00? No legitimate business is conducted between midnight and 02:00 except bars and strip clubs
    • HAHA (15/02/2021, 10:39) Like (11) Dislike (3) Reply
      Business is business whether they operate night or day. The establishment needs to make money and pay its employees.
    • W*F (15/02/2021, 10:40) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply

      Since when a bar is not legitimate business? Just because you sit in a government office doing nothing all day and getting full salary throughout the so called pandemic, you can come on here and type rubbish.

      • covid break (15/02/2021, 12:58) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
        Guess covid ah sleep between 2 and 5 and then it get active at 5.01 a.m. to 1.59 a.m.
    • It’s hurting you (16/02/2021, 13:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Legitimate you say. They are licensed.... Continue to cast your stone!
  • Rubber Duck (15/02/2021, 10:18) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
    All part of the plot to bankrupt businesses.
  • Pls. Stop it.. (15/02/2021, 10:27) Like (21) Dislike (3) Reply
    Is this your only job you have, or the only reason you think, you can look like you are working.....Friday, CDC reported a 50% reduction in virus reduction and hospital rates., Some states begun to relax , some actually discontinuing the mask wearing.,Cant understand why. You all keep using you all power to oppress people, without regards to their financiL and mental status, while the country sinking in a financial and crime Pit,,,
    • @ Pls. Stop it.. (15/02/2021, 10:55) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
      If you check with the experts they say that continued mask wearing is essential. Not to get political, but it's generally Republican states that are relaxing mask wearing - it will be to their detriment!
      • trrefdrfds (15/02/2021, 14:32) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Hate to burst your misinformed bubble but the highest death rates are in Democratic states and cities though this has little to do with us here in the BVI
  • Well soon dry (15/02/2021, 10:39) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    These civil servants who keep supporting government with those oppressive and economic killing policies. The treasury is running low. Your salary aint so sure as you think...It already started in SK. Civil servants can't get pay. Tbe Government Bank closed. . When your economy is not a priority and you don't know how to create and execute the balance of safety and the economy. Leadership will fail us just like SK.
    • Agree (15/02/2021, 13:00) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      So true. Their money deposited in the bank on 15 and 31 of every month whether they work or not, so they are insensitive to how people who do real work are suffering. The haves will always kick the have nots
    • Uneblievable (15/02/2021, 13:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can you post links to the information stated in your post. I would like to read Thanks
  • @ rubber duck (15/02/2021, 14:04) Like (0) Dislike (14) Reply
    Who is the clown now? So there is a plot to bankrupt businesses tell me all about it. Just like to show your silly self. Stop trying to keep blinders on people. You are neither for nor against just I myself and me. At the end of the day can you stand alone?
    • Rubber Duck (15/02/2021, 15:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      It’s all above your pay grade. Leave it to the intelligent folk.
  • Marlone (15/02/2021, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Them sell already...point blank ...dont look for straw drowning man ....god alone
  • Mr.gage (15/02/2021, 19:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Travel ban on UK and Dominican nationals but not on US citizens where they just discovered 7 new variants they need to rectify this and add the US to the ban list until the research is completed to see if these new strains are more easily transmissible, deadlier and whether the vaccines are effective against them.
  • @ rubber duck (15/02/2021, 21:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    You so called intelligent folk are who got the world up sh** street. Get a damn life.

  • @@rubber duck (15/02/2021, 22:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    U so rigth...rubber duck is one of the three men in the tub the Baker...hint on it a thousand words in one ...that's his average ...people like them
  • Observer (16/02/2021, 05:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you don’t get your borders open. And your tourism back. Competing Caribbean Islands will take all of your customers and it will take years to get them back, as you’ll be forgotten about. Get your act together!!.


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