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I can’t say I’m in favour of a state of emergency ‘right now’ – Hon Penn

- but said there are areas that need tightening up
Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said he is not in favour of the Virgin Islands (British) calling a state of emergency over coronavirus at this time. Photo: VINO/File
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert has said that while the Virgin Islands does not have any confirmed cases of coronovirus in the Territory, Government has taken the approach that the detection, containment, mitigation and management of this Coronavirus remains a national priority. Photo: VINO/File
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert has said that while the Virgin Islands does not have any confirmed cases of coronovirus in the Territory, Government has taken the approach that the detection, containment, mitigation and management of this Coronavirus remains a national priority. Photo: VINO/File
So far the Virgin Islands has been spared a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus but has, nevertheless, been taking proactive measures to mitigate the virus entering the Territory and spreading. Photo: VINO/File
So far the Virgin Islands has been spared a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus but has, nevertheless, been taking proactive measures to mitigate the virus entering the Territory and spreading. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- On the heels of US Virgin Islands (USVI) Governor Albert Bryan Jr declaring a state of emergency to mitigate the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the USVI on Friday, March 13, 2020, Opposition Leader Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said he is not in favour of the Virgin Islands (British) doing the same.

The US Virgin Islands has had one confirmed case of the coronavirus.

Addressing members of the press on Monday afternoon, March 16, 2020 at the House of Assembly’s conference room in Road Town, Tortola, Hon Penn said: “I can’t say I am in favour of it right now,” in response to questions from the press on the issue.

He continued: “People of the Virgin Islands elected us to run their affairs, and I think we as leaders of this country need to run the affairs of the Territory. Whatever benefits I think we would get from a state of emergency, I think we have them right now; we have access to the funding to do certain things.”

Hon Penn said there are areas that require tightening up.

“I think we are at the point where we need to ramp up things like securing our borders to ensure that we have proper testing, to ensure that persons are tested, we need to ensure that the vulnerable population amongst us are secure and not exposed so we don’t have any issues with that vulnerable population and I think we can do that ourselves. We, as the leadership of this country needs to step up to the plate and do the things that are necessary to protect the people of this Territory.”

However, he said it is incumbent on other factors such as honesty from travellers when they complete the health cards detailing their travel and health history before arriving in the Territory.

The Opposition Leader has also called for schools in the VI to be closed for the next 30 to 60 days.

Hon Penn's statement came hours before Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert said that while the VI does not have any confirmed cases of coronovirus in the Territory, Government has taken the approach that the detection, containment, mitigation and management of this Coronavirus remains a national priority.

"We have been working diligently to ensure that adequate preparations are in place in the event that we have a confirmed case. I want to thank all of our teams across the public service and Statutory Bodies who are working so hard to protect the Territory and to thank the Minister of Health for the action he has taken so far. Our dedicated men and women in the health services industry have demonstrated their ability to provide excellent service when the need arises and I remain confident in their abilities during this time. This may be a long journey ahead but I am confident we can support each other and stay strong," Governor Jaspert said.

We were involved

In the meantime, Hon Penn said the Opposition was engaged with the Government on the plans and programmes implemented for the COVID-19.

“Initially, we called for a meeting with the Government to understand the Government’s strategy as it relates to COVID-19. The Government subsequently adhered, they had a meeting with us to discuss their strategy. There was a subsequent follow-up meeting on Thursday of last week where they updated us on their progress as well as the plans that they have for moving forward,” he remarked.

“We have been involved, we agitated to ensure that we were involved in the process because this problem is not a government problem, it is an all of us problem, and we all need to play our part in the process to understand what’s happening.”

13 Responses to “I can’t say I’m in favour of a state of emergency ‘right now’ – Hon Penn”

  • ReX FeRal (17/03/2020, 07:53) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you can't say it DON'T.
  • Woke (17/03/2020, 08:06) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Been waiting for these days since high school, only the woke ones will understand...
  • RFID Chip (17/03/2020, 08:21) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    Funny thing is y’all gonna take the chip willing without even knowing it, thru mandatory vaccines

    P.S just remember you heard it here first
  • Yep (17/03/2020, 08:37) Like (21) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need to shut down everything here for at least 2 weeks to see how many people here have the virus... then we can take it from there and start to relax conditions imposed on ourselves.
    Our biggest concern right now should also include multi occupancy housing where workers are sharing "barracks" style alongside 30 plus workers,.... look at the accommodation above little Switzerland by Banco in town ! ..also many small dwellings house 5 to 15 people , these places once infected will pass the virus to hundreds of people and so it begins!
    • @Yep (17/03/2020, 08:59) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      Why must we shut down? Do you no of anyone in the BVI that has the Virus. Stop it.
      • Yep (17/03/2020, 09:28) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
        If I knew of someone that had it, it would be already too late !
        I am saying that we should take stock of the situation and then take it from there.
    • Plato (17/03/2020, 09:34) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      One approach is to isolate communities ensuring supply markets are kept in stock.
      1. Set up road blocks and sea patrols but people can move around within each community.
      2. Set up test stations in each community
      3. Test and isolate any positives to Necker, Mosquito, Guana for 2 weeks and release :-)
      4. You will now have mobs coming in for tests. Repeat 3 after 1 week.
  • Street reporter (17/03/2020, 08:58) Like (4) Dislike (7) Reply
    We have no positive case. Why the panic...Out financial industry on a decline. Our tourism industry came to a sudden stop... We in trouble.
  • what (17/03/2020, 10:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    political leadership spends more time on foreign affairs making sure we off black/gray list but not much focus on domestic affairs so when certain situations comes to our door step we have to panic we now chatting about border security and healthy strategies these processes and procedures have to be standard practices in a developing Society
  • look around (17/03/2020, 15:46) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    From the time you have the first confirmed case, it means the person has already had symptoms and has been infected for about 11 days, and more importantly has already spread it to dozens or potentially hundreds of people, depending on their social activities. WHY WAIT? Nip it in the bud by allowing those who are able to work from home, all school and social activities should be cancelled and all arrivals quarantined for at least 2-3 weeks. It is inevitable at this point that it will be here and i don't understand the reasoning of waiting to allow many people to become ill when we know, for a fact, that the medical services here CANNOT handle the outbreak. Time to get serious and stop feeling like the sky's will open to save us. Question for the health authorities: How many respirators do we have on island???
  • Sheeps (17/03/2020, 15:48) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Brainwashed Sheep’s
  • Diaspora (17/03/2020, 16:15) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The WHO has listed the Coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. The virus is spreading up, down, and across the region, though the V.I. has not yet have any confirmed cases. Surprise and shock that the leader of the Opposition is not supporting a state of emergency at this point. Pray tell, what is the down side of declaring a state of emergency yesterday (today)? Do other elected members on board with the position of the Opposition Leader? Here is a news flash. The BVI is at war. Yes, war against the Coronavirus. In war, fire discipline is exercised yet when needed all weapons are fired on an enemy. The V.I. needs to be locked down and shelter in place for at least 15 days to help dampen the wave or flatten the curb. Locking down help flatten the curb. There is a fierce urgency of now.
  • lol (18/03/2020, 23:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who ask you?


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