'Our borders remain closed’ until after June 1, 2020- Premier Fahie
The plan was compiled by the Health Emergency Operations Council (HEOC), according to Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1).
“To date, we have only endorsed Phase One of the plan which will take us up to June 1, 2020. This first phase only represents the internal reopening of the BVI. Please note that during this phase our borders will remain closed.
“I repeat during this phase, our borders remain closed,” Premier Fahie said during a live COVID-19 update to the Territory today, April 15, 2020.
The Premier said Cabinet thought it best to approve the plan in phases so that each phase builds on the strength of the other and to allow for amendments and adjustments to be made along the way “seeing that this pandemic remains fluid.”
“Simply put we are not out of the woods yet.”
Only nationals & persons with resident status allowed in
When the borders do open up in phase two, Premier Fahie noted; however, only persons deemed to belong to the Territory and persons with resident status will be allowed entry over the next three (3) months, but with strict conditions.
“At that time, such entry will only be allowed at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, subject to a pre-approval of passenger information seven (7) days in advance of travel, among other measures.”
The Premier had earlier in his address emphasised that it was “not an easy decision” to shut the borders, knowing there are Virgin Islanders living abroad in high-risk COVID-19 countries.
“They are our family members, who want to come home, but for now they cannot because our borders had to be closed,” Premier Fahie also said.
Coincidentally, Premier Fahie’s daughters, who are enrolled in college overseas, have also been shut out of the Territory.
Additionally, Premier Fahie said the seaports, for now, will remain closed and that the Joint Information Cell of the HEOC will provide more information.
“We cannot become complacent, hence the reasons for these actions.”
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25 Responses to “'Our borders remain closed’ until after June 1, 2020- Premier Fahie”
Saving lives is your aim and objective.
Money will always come after.
stay safe bvi.
I am not sure why the Honorable Premier brought his children into this as children need to be kept out of politics.He used it them to show persons that they were not alone as he too had family overseas. Really unfortunate.
However did you ever take the chance to think that his children are in a better place in terms of medical care. Did you ever take the chance to think that if he wanted them back tomorrow he could get that done?
You appear far too gullible.
You are correct. It appears that the Government and the Governor are saying one thing in their speeches and initial press releases but doing something else in the gazette which is law. They also initially omitted barbers and hairdressing salons in essential services list and then those services appeared in the Gazette. Here is the gazette SI2020, NO.36, Section 4:
"(3) Notwithstanding section 21 of the Immigration and Passport Act, any
other law and subsection (2), a person who falls within the following categories,
shall be prohibited from entering the Virgin Islands, from the date this Order
comes into force until the 2nd day of June, 2020, unless the time period prescribed
herein is extended by the Governor by Order after consultation with the Minister,
for such further period as may be specified:
(a) persons enjoying relevant diplomatic or consular or other
similar privileges by virtue of any Act or in accordance
with recognised international practice;
(b) persons who are work permit holders or persons who are
exempted from the requirement of a work permit;
(c) persons employed on contract in the service of the
Government of the Territory; or
(d) husband, wife or child (dependents) of any person within
categories (a) to (c), whether travelling with or separately
from such person.
4. For the avoidance of doubt section 3 shall not apply to persons who are
deemed to belong to the Virgin Islands and to persons who are holders of
certificates of residence under section 18 of the Immigration and Passport Act."
Wow!
Yes there are means to enter. BA/Virgin have flights to Antigua starting May. Get there and then get a charter to EIS. Right now charters are the only way in but some airlines looking at this amendment may consider resuming operations. Stay tuned.
Unfortunate regarding work permit holders and work permit exemption holders still but possibly the threat of litigation has forced the Government to reconsider.