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Health Minister slams BVI News article on mandatory vaccination as ‘Fake News’

- said mandatory vaccination is not being considered by Cabinet for any segment of VI population
The anti-government news site BVI News has been slammed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), left, for misrepresenting comments he made on the issue of mandatory vaccination for employees and persons on work permits in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Facebook/GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has repeatedly said vaccination will not be made mandatory in the Virgin Islands but has, nevertheless, encouraged the population to get vaccinated. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has repeatedly said vaccination will not be made mandatory in the Virgin Islands but has, nevertheless, encouraged the population to get vaccinated. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) on the VIP Let’s Talk radio show on May 4, 2021. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) on the VIP Let’s Talk radio show on May 4, 2021. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The anti-government news site, BVI News, has been slammed by Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) for misrepresenting comments he made on the issue of mandatory vaccination for employees and persons on work permits in the Virgin Islands.

BVI News, in an article today, May 5, 2021, with headline ‘About-turn? Cabinet to now consider mandatory vaccination’ misinformed their readers that Cabinet is now going back on its vow to not make vaccination mandatory in the territory.

Their inaccurate article, with the introduction ‘Just as the territory is expected to reopen its borders fully in the coming weeks, the government will now be considering whether mandatory vaccination should be implemented locally’, caused much controversy, panic and bashing of the Government by members of the public.

The article had quoted the minister making certain statements on the VIP Let’s Talk radio show on May 4, 2021.

The facts

Hon Malone said: “I got a WhatsApp asking me what is our position whether or not employees or people with work permit would be forced to take the vaccine. As you know, in many jurisdictions they have now mandated that if you on a work permit system you must be able to do this, I guess primarily because the healthcare system is being strained, in a number of jurisdictions.

“So in terms of the questions asked, in terms of the employees and work permit holders, it is a subject that Cabinet would have to explore and examine, as I am saying, one only need to look throughout the region and the world and see what is happening. The message is quite simple, 18 and over right now, until we get the vaccination until we get the vaccine for those under 18, those 18 and over, whether you are national, belonger, work permit holder, visitor, whatever it is, because visitors coming in for the first time; I would suspect that Cabinet will be looking at that at its very first entrance. But we also have to look around the world — those of us who are residing here. We must protect the entire economy. We are not seeking to single out anyone, we are telling everyone get vaccinated now.”

Fake news, irresponsible journalism!

While Hon Malone encouraged vaccination for the protection of the territory, nowhere does the Health Minister clearly state that Cabinet is reconsidering making vaccination mandatory in the territory; however, he did suggest that Cabinet would have to “explore and examine” the subject.

Hon Malone on his Facebook page today, May 5, 2021, Hon Malone posted a screenshot of the headline of the BVI News article with the label ‘FAKE NEWS!!!!’

He termed the article as “irresponsible journalism” and wrote “Nowhere in the story is the headline supported by facts.”

He also made it clear that Cabinet was not contemplating mandatory vaccination.

Mandatory vaccination NOT being considered- Hon Malone

“Mandatory vaccination is NOT being considered by Cabinet for any segment of our population. All eligible persons are being encouraged to be vaccinated. Don't hesitate, vaccinate!” Hon Malone said.

The erroneous BVI News article also said that Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who was also on the show “did not offer a comment on the matter.”

Premier Fahie not adding to the conversation may have actually been proof that Cabinet was not considering mandatory vaccination, as earlier in the programme he had reminded that vaccination was optional and never even slightly suggested that a policy change was being considered.

Gov’t respects right to vaccinate or not- Premier

“We do respect the fact that everyone has a right whether to vaccinate or not but as you rightfully said in the early part of the show, it is the most credible option that we do have, to be able to reopen our economy, to be able to balance lives with livelihoods so that we can put our people back to work in a safe as could be environment, so this Government continues to encourage vaccination,” Hon Fahie said.

BVI News had not retracted its “fake news” article up to time of publication.

26 Responses to “Health Minister slams BVI News article on mandatory vaccination as ‘Fake News’”

  • White lady (05/05/2021, 21:29) Like (11) Dislike (29) Reply
    Here we go again with bvi news they continue to practice yellow journalism
    • So. Man up (06/05/2021, 02:06) Like (19) Dislike (33) Reply
      If we are going to need to be vaccinated to get a Job, or to have a Job or to Travel isn't that almost mandotary. Why are you sounding so scared and afraid, is the premier or a lawyer threatened you.. Stand your ground they need to get vaccinated. . Straight up, like it or not it's the only way forward..
      • True (06/05/2021, 08:02) Like (13) Dislike (26) Reply
        Thank you I would really like to know why they think it wont become mandatory. The world is moving towards it. Do we want to exist in this world or we can afford to be on the outside looking in? All BVI news stated was the future, I see no problem with it. We will get to mandatory, that's just the reality. They must be afraid of losing votes, but they are doing a good job at that already. SMH
      • Be Observant (06/05/2021, 18:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        I Guess Ayo Does Let People Control Ayo And Tell Ayo What To Do....We Must Listen To MAN But Who Listening To The Word Of The Lord!?!?!? Your Premier Say He Did It To Save His Country I Do Not Pray To No Premier, No Scientist, No Doctors None What So Ever...They Can Not Save No One Not When They Are Being Controlled And Have To Follow Orders They Are Not LEADERS!!! One Must Know The Purpose & Responsibilities Of Being A LEADER!!! Leaders Want To See Everyone Succeed In Life...
  • hmm (05/05/2021, 22:07) Like (22) Dislike (3) Reply
    Who to really believe? Gov or so called fake news??? Hmmm
  • HAHA (05/05/2021, 23:35) Like (13) Dislike (29) Reply
    The editors of Bvinews is not from here so they tend to focus on articles that affect them personally. I first started to notice this around the time of the closed borders when they were focused heavily on anything that made government look bad especially on work permit and immigration issues. They were interviewing every cat and dog that felt entitled to be in the BVI because they attempted to renew a work permit.
  • smdh (06/05/2021, 04:27) Like (11) Dislike (31) Reply
    That woman over at the other news site is a pestilence to our society with fake and misrepresented news! One of these days she going to get sued for the bull$hit she does sometimes.
  • facts (06/05/2021, 05:41) Like (7) Dislike (18) Reply
    Cavin talks allot but I am with him on this one bvi news is nothing but trouble
  • hmm (06/05/2021, 07:10) Like (32) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you explore or examine something there is a chance that a change of heart can take place so the bvinews article is not exactly fake news. You went from flat out NO, to saying you will explore and examine. Stop the childish banter and help the struggling people. This is bigger than politics.
  • News BVI (06/05/2021, 07:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is our people that issues the work permits
  • Sarah (06/05/2021, 08:05) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    where is the lie thou? we need to stop pacifying the nonsense going on in this place
  • Lucifer (06/05/2021, 08:38) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    Ignoring the 'fake news' for the moment. Im not sure the accusation of BVI News being 'anti-government' is the insult it appears to be intended to be. The role of a free media is to hold those in power to account and not just be a cheerleader for the government. That said printing irresponsible stories of mandatory vaccines is only going to increase anxiety with those that are resistant and cause more conspiracy nonsense to be spread
  • Tell us (06/05/2021, 09:11) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    So you telling me Z B V I also report the same FAKE NEWS. ?
  • facts (06/05/2021, 09:47) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    He said so his fresh water voice. He thinks cabinet should consider it.
  • coming from this administration (06/05/2021, 09:59) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    lies lies and more lies
  • For&against (06/05/2021, 11:02) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Carvin Cline and Pickering said it. Shereen Wheathley Kye and Alvera seems to be against it.
  • carry on (06/05/2021, 14:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    https://youtu.be/8aAk36PovnU
  • Woman (06/05/2021, 15:30) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Check the news lately ?
    USA news in particular?

    https://www.wkrn.com/news/nashville-woman-unable-to-walk-claims-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-is-to-blame/
  • Be Observant (06/05/2021, 18:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    MUST WATCH ON NETFLIX - "THE BARRIER"
  • PReal (07/05/2021, 21:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    While it may not be manditory now, I am sure they are looking to mandate it. People remember they have already cohersed with businesses to push the vaccine on us....how much further will they go??? Also they push to give us a experimental vaccine that was only approved for emergency use there was no real testing. We have no way of knowing the long term effects


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