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Persons in VI/USVI vaccine bubble must immediately return to VI

- Health Authorities warn of penalties should individuals make stops
Over 35 Virgin Islands (VI) youths departed the territory in the first cohort of persons to travel to the USVI for COVID-19 vaccines, on August 3, 2021, as part of the BVI-USVI Vaccination Bubble initiative. Photo: JTV/Facebook
Ms Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro indicated that the Ministry of Health and Social Development has therefore partnered with HM Customs to conduct the necessary surveillance on the waters to ensure that persons adhere to the rules. Photo: GiS/Facebook
Ms Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro indicated that the Ministry of Health and Social Development has therefore partnered with HM Customs to conduct the necessary surveillance on the waters to ensure that persons adhere to the rules. Photo: GiS/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands (VI) health authorities are warning that persons who take up the VI/USVI vaccination bubble offer must immediately return to the VI on taking their first dose of the vaccine or face penalties.

This was revealed in a Government Information Service (GIS) report by the Private Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Social Development, Ms Tashi O'Flaherty-Maduro, on the revamped vaccination bubble initiative for persons who want another vaccine option outside of the locally offered AstraZeneca vaccine.

“Staying in the bubble means that persons will travel to Cruz Bay, St John for vaccination purposes only, and return to the BVI immediately following the vaccination process.

“There would be no flexibility for interaction with persons on St John, with exception to the bubble stakeholders, thereby reducing the risk of exposure."

O'Flaherty-Maduro added that stops to other US territories, including St Thomas, will not be allowed.

HM Customs assisting with security 

Mrs O'Flaherty-Maduro also indicated that the Ministry of Health and Social Development has therefore partnered with HM Customs to conduct the necessary surveillance on the waters to ensure that persons adhere to the rules.

For persons found breaching the conditions, they would forfeit the relaxed re-entry protocols and all exemptions including quarantine; however, while these persons will be able to return for their second shot, it would be done under strict guidelines.

According to the Health Minister, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), persons will now be responsible for their own transportation to and from the USVI, whether it will be in a private vessel or using a water taxi where vaccination will only be done on Wednesdays between 1:00 p.m -4:00 pm.

Perrons in the VI are also being encouraged to form groups to travel as that would allow for lower travel costs to the USVI.

12 Responses to “Persons in VI/USVI vaccine bubble must immediately return to VI”

  • pyour tark (09/11/2021, 11:47) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    wha happen to the US made vaccines were were getting along with the special freezer, whats up wid dah????
  • What? (09/11/2021, 13:09) Like (19) Dislike (0) Reply
    So no KFC?
  • Dollar Bill (09/11/2021, 13:42) Like (20) Dislike (10) Reply
    it is so expensive to do this. water taxi ???? private vessel ????
    why dont they bring the stuff over here at a specific time. it can be stores in its defrosted state for 6 hours in a regular fridge/ freezer...so a real initiative would be foe government to schedule 100 people who want the vaccine on a specific day. charge for it ( will be cheaper than us having to go to st john and administer it at the ferry dock or even at the hospital. logical...and it helps us save on $$$ we all broke..how can the bubble be encouraging us to get other vaccines when its a choice between food on the table of pay for private water taxis...come on man..think outside the box..please.
    • resident (09/11/2021, 15:29) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
      are you new to this thing, you know we don't do common sense stuff in the bvi
      • lmao (09/11/2021, 18:08) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
        @resident, hey, you are so correct. Like hey, it is simply the norm.
  • FIRE (09/11/2021, 13:46) Like (15) Dislike (6) Reply
    Covid and poisonous vaccines is history unless you are living under a rock.
  • god is watching (09/11/2021, 14:44) Like (17) Dislike (8) Reply
    “There would be no flexibility for interaction with persons on St John, with exception to the bubble stakeholders, thereby reducing the risk of exposure."

    O'Flaherty-Maduro added that stops to other US territories, including St Thomas, will not be allowed.



    SMH!!! So the people leaving from Tortola, pay their own money to go over to St. John to take that so-called life-saving vaccine and you are here saying that there will be no flexibility with persons from St. John in order to avoid "risk of exposure?" I thought that one is fully protected after taking the shot? Oh, I forgot!! I just remember that Biden said when asked about contracting the virus after getting the vaccine: "The sad reality is that you can still get it and spread it."

    People of the BVI wake up!! Stop letting these people fool y'all. They don't care about whether you get injured from this vaccine or not! They just care about numbers and fulfilling their boss's agenda! WAKE UP!!
    • Thanks (09/11/2021, 16:36) Like (14) Dislike (9) Reply
      Far too long the people of the BVI are asleep; if this does not open their eyes then nothing will.

      what is the point of taking this vaccine if you still can spread it to another person?

      If my memory serves me correctly then a vaccine should prevent you from contracting certain illnesses not increase your chances of spreading the illness.

      something is just not adding up with this so-called vaccine and why is it mandatory to be signed.
      • Hey Stupo (10/11/2021, 00:33) Like (3) Dislike (14) Reply
        It takes time for the Vaccine to work. You do not take it this minute and you are protected immediately.
        Secondly there are very few drugs that are 100% effective. Thirdly there is no drug that cures you immediately from one minute to the next. Keep your propoganda to your self.
      • Dollar Bill (10/11/2021, 03:34) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        because it stops you getting dead if you catch the virus....easy choice nah. ?
  • Dancing in the sunshine (09/11/2021, 15:59) Like (7) Dislike (43) Reply
    Well. Even if Jesus Christ comes to the Territory He will not have a good welcome. I took my Astra Zenica vaccine since February and thanks be unto God I'm doing well. It's not the type of vaccine that anyone takes. What is more important is the effectiveness of the vaccine. All the vaccine serve the same purpose.

    I don't know who is advising the population about vaccines. We should not be fooled. If I have to recommend a vaccine to my family, I will recommend Astra Xenica because all of my PCR and Rapid tests I did are negative.
  • @dollar bill (09/11/2021, 18:21) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    It’s actually cheaper, get a group and get charter and split the cost boo


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