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Governor seeking resolution for US seized medical supplies - Hon Malone

-says Gov Jaspert will use diplomatic channels 'to find ways to get goods released'
Following news that the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection has seized some medical items, including masks, gloves, medication and other COVID-19 related supplies, ordered by the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) for the territory, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert is working on ways to resolve the issue. Photo: Facebook/GIS
Hon Carvin Malone said Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert will use diplomatic channels to find ways in which the territory could get the goods released. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Carvin Malone said Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert will use diplomatic channels to find ways in which the territory could get the goods released. Photo: VINO/File
On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, it was announced that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold exports of respirators, surgical masks and surgical gloves, according to a joint announcement made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Photo: Internet Source
On Wednesday, April 8, 2020, it was announced that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold exports of respirators, surgical masks and surgical gloves, according to a joint announcement made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Photo: Internet Source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - As first and accurately reported by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection had seized some medical items and other COVID-19 related supplies, ordered by the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) for the territory, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) says Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert is working on ways to resolve the issue.

"I have since reported the incident to the governor who would through diplomatic channels, be able to find ways in which we could get the goods released," Hon Malone told JTV via a social media video released yesterday, April 10, 2020.

Supplies worth some 12K - Hon Malone 

According to information, the supplies; including masks, gloves and medication, were seized on Thursday, April 9, 2020, and the issues were brought to the attention of the Virgin Islands (VI) Government by CEO of BVIHSA, Dr Ronald E. Geotges. 

The Minister said, "It was a $12,000 order, not much in the whole scheme of things, but we want to make sure that we have a clear path to purchases for medical replacement supplies through the United States." 

And only last week, US authorities seized 20 ventilators destined for Barbados and the country's Minister of Health and Wellness, Lieutenant Col Jeffrey Bostic revealed the ventilators were donated to the Barbados Government as an act of philanthropy but were barred from exportation.

Trump eased restrictions 

Faced with local criticism of his administration’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with cries of shortages from hospitals on the front lines of the crisis, President of the United States, Donald J. Trump (R) on Friday, April 3, 2020, had imposed a ban on exports of N95 masks, surgical gloves and other protective equipment.

The president moved to ease the restrictions on Monday, April 6, 2020, following backlash, saying the 3M Company had agreed to produce 55 million masks a month for local healthcare workers and to import 167 million masks made by its facilities in China.

3M later announced that it allowed to continuing exporting some masks to Canada and Latin America from the U.S, but noted that the fate of exports to other parts of the world remained unclear.

FEMA ultimately determines faith 

However, on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, it was announced that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold exports of respirators, surgical masks and surgical gloves, according to a joint announcement made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

It was reported that FEMA will then determine if the equipment should be returned for use in the United States, purchased by the U.S. government or exported.

Hon Malone as part of his statements said with the Governor Jaspert's intervention, the VI is looking to have the issue resolved effectively, "we would be grateful if this can be handled and handled effectively by the UK Government and the US Government, so I see no issue in terms of it getting and being resolved," he said.

Our news centre will bring more information as it becomes available. 

16 Responses to “Governor seeking resolution for US seized medical supplies - Hon Malone”

  • waste ah time (11/04/2020, 13:32) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Trump nah ah go study he
  • My girl (11/04/2020, 14:02) Like (5) Dislike (9) Reply
    All that talks you all have and run straight to M****a for help, this is always our downfall
    • @ Jack (11/04/2020, 14:18) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
      The man doing his job.....now we all see how competent the Governor is at getting the job done
    • Negative Nancy (11/04/2020, 15:48) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
      Always someone with an unnecessary comment smh
  • state of emergency (11/04/2020, 14:21) Like (1) Dislike (19) Reply
    so finally the governor has found his role, to make representation on the Government and people behalf to those who want us to die.

    His role is not to undermine the democratically elected government, hope he understands that from today
    • wow (11/04/2020, 16:26) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      aye really think that the US going study the UK when it comes to giving dem back the items after de President sign he Executive Order. Ayo more naive dan I thought. The guvna need to go siding
    • @State of emergency (12/04/2020, 08:01) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Governor is the only one that can make this happen. And stop with the BS about wanting us to die.
  • legal team (11/04/2020, 16:18) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    The UK have a direct diplomatic association with the USA.
    I am confident,that His Excellency,the governor will use his diplomatic authority through the UK, to get our well-needed items from the usa.
    Stay strong bvi.
  • Trump is Boss (11/04/2020, 17:21) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    No one dictate to Trump .... May 1st Trump opening up the economy.. Thats a boss.. No moor money for W.H.O Trump stopping that. Money. Failure...see how they going to get their Salary... Honestly, I think we should just get paid for them and leave them with it.. maybe its for our good..
  • Charley Rose (11/04/2020, 18:33) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    I found some of the comments made by bloggers to be unpatriotic especially when we are in a health crisis. I am confident that the Governor will be able to resolve this matter and the supplies will be released. This is a moment in the territory when we must unite in our efforts to combat the COVIT-19 Corona virus. Let us hope and pray that this supplies will be shipped shortly.
  • GG (11/04/2020, 20:37) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    I wonder what kind of Boss is prepared to risk the lives of tens of thousands if not millions of Americans by a premature opening of the economy. Which is more important securing votes or saving lives?
  • IWe bless (11/04/2020, 21:14) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    We need to go to work.... We are good. We are blessed... We need to get out and work and earned an honest living...
    • labor department (11/04/2020, 22:42) Like (8) Dislike (5) Reply
      @ we bless: u need to turn in that work permit: we are good and we are blessed simply because our political leadership had the ball to make us stay in our homes in a valiant effort to stop the spread of the virus
  • guy hill (11/04/2020, 21:27) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Charlie Rose... there is an ignorant lot sitting on the wayside being an ignoramus.
  • St Marten News (12/04/2020, 05:40) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Legislators and civil servants on St Marten are taking a 50% cut in salaries.....If that is so... Thats leading from the front.. True Patriots....Everyone share in carrying some the financial burden in these tuff times... Everyone wants to talk talk. How many of us would agree to cut in our salaries as true patriots....
  • son of the soil (12/04/2020, 09:16) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Carvin Malone please keep up the good work - you deserve a long, all expenses paid vacation when this is all over.


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