Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Premier should have defended VI against cruise ship COVID policies – Julio S. Henry

- calls on VI’s collective workforce to stand up against employee mandated vaccination
Tourism operator, business owner and former radio talk show host, Mr Julio S. Henry aka 'Sam' has blasted Premier Andrew A. Fahie for not defending the Territory against the COVID-19 policies implement by cruise ships travelling to the Virgin Islands (VI) as a destination. Photo: VINO/File/GIS
Premier Andrew A. Fahie said the government will not be making the rules regarding cruise ship policies on vaccination, rather, the industry will determine. Photo: Facebook/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie said the government will not be making the rules regarding cruise ship policies on vaccination, rather, the industry will determine. Photo: Facebook/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Tourism operator, business owner and former radio talk show host, Mr Julio S. Henry aka 'Sam' has blasted Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) for not defending the Territory against the COVID-19 policies implemented by cruise ships travelling to the Virgin Islands (VI) as a destination.

An irate Henry made the comments on the Monday, May 10, 2021, edition of ‘Da Morning Braff’ show on Tola Radio 100.5 FM with host Floyd Burnett aka ‘'Heritage'.

Cruise ships bullying destinations - Henry 

“The cruise ships now trying to bully destinations, and my Premier… instead of telling me about the defence he put up, to support and defend his own businesses, he telling me that If I ain’t vaccinate I will get left behind,” he said.

Premier Fahie, during the April 10, 2021, edition of ‘ZOEJ Says” live-streamed on Facebook, said cruise ships with vaccinated staff were requesting vaccinated tourism operators in the territory and that the government will not be setting the rules, rather, the industry.

“There are persons already asking, tourists… when I come, I want to be able to go in a taxi where the taxi operator is vaccinated,” he said.

“So, the industry will demand what happens, not the government, because when you have a tourist come off the cruise ship and then demanding that they only go in a taxi that is vaccinated, you can’t bring them to the Premier to complain,” Hon Fahie said.

Workers must stand up against vaccination policy 

So far, at least two resorts have implemented policies to have staff vaccinated or be permanently laid off. According to Henry who himself is a taxi operator, businesses should not be allowed to implement the ‘unnecessary” policy.

“Now is the time for all those employees who are not being affected right now to stand up together in solidarity with other employees who are being affected.”

He said the collective workforce cannot allow employers and businesses to bully and enforce vaccination, rather, they must stand in solidity against the policy.

“If the government does not put up a fight for those employees, what does that say about you when it comes to your turn, are they going to defend you?” he quested.

Henry called for policies in 2020 

In May 2020, Henry had implored the Fahie administration to re-open the tourism sector, warning that the economy was sinking and at risk of losing its tourism industry.

"In recognising the approach of our USVI neighbours, who are moving forward to allow hotels and villa rentals to begin accepting outside reservations, says to me that we in the BVI should continue to practice measures of safety and social distancing while moving in a direction that prepares us to reopen for tourism and position ourselves to accommodate visitors to our shores," he said in a circular sent to the media on May 7, 2020.

Government has since reopened the airports and seaports and is now relaxing quarantine protocols for fully vaccinated travellers.

64 Responses to “Premier should have defended VI against cruise ship COVID policies – Julio S. Henry”

  • musa (12/05/2021, 10:57) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who depending on who?
    • Naughty nonsense (13/05/2021, 02:59) Like (17) Dislike (6) Reply
      No cruise ship passenger goin want to go with non vaccinated taxi drive or be allowed back on the ship if they travelin in a taxi with non vaccinated driver like Sam.
      Sam, you need to get a new job or get your vaccine. Either way you also need to close your mouth.
  • the rock (12/05/2021, 11:02) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    The question Sam should be asking the Premier is, would all the passengers be vaccinated, if that answer is yes then the Premiee csn stand a point, the crew hardly interact with taxi drivers!
  • 1st districtI (12/05/2021, 11:03) Like (31) Dislike (37) Reply
    STAND WITH SAM ON THIS ONE. ALSO THESE EMPLOYERS AND ESTABLISHMENTS NEED TO RESPECT YOU PERSONAL RIGHTS!!
    • x (12/05/2021, 14:46) Like (56) Dislike (11) Reply
      They respect your rights, but you have to respect their rights too. It's their business and they have a right to protect their business.
      • Be Observant (12/05/2021, 20:04) Like (19) Dislike (8) Reply
        HOW CAN THE VACCINE KEEP YOU SAFE IF YOU CAN STILL GET IN CONTACT WITH THE VIRUS!?!?!? COMMON SENSE AIN COMMON AT ALL...I NEED THE DEFINITION OF "SAFE" CAUSE THIS IS FOOLISHNESS!!!
        • x (13/05/2021, 09:31) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
          The vaccine lessens your chances of contraction and spreading the virus. further more if you do contract the virus, it will be a lot milder.
  • conch shell (12/05/2021, 11:09) Like (37) Dislike (3) Reply
    The idiocy of too many tola men surpasses the mark of salvageable.
    The boys growing up have very little positive role models that are publicly worthy of any attention.
    The collared and holy one gone silent courtesy of COI but my impression suggests he is feeding the amazing ignorance to these embarrassing mouth pieces.
    BVI spiraling below sea level fast in the direction of Hades.
  • Stop Crying Henry (12/05/2021, 11:10) Like (67) Dislike (32) Reply
    and get yourself and your taxi buddies vaccinated. No Jab no Job!
  • TORTOLIAN (12/05/2021, 11:20) Like (90) Dislike (2) Reply
    MY GOOD FRIEND HENRY GOES WHERE EVER THE WIND BLOWS. IN OTHER WORDS HE HAS TWO MOUTHS.
  • Hush (12/05/2021, 11:30) Like (85) Dislike (29) Reply
    Sam, get yourself vaccinated and stop pretending like you know better than most of the world's scientsts.
    Not everyone feel the same way as you about the vaccine.
    Smart people know the vaccine is saving lives and the more people have it, the more effective it will be.
    That way the pandemic ends and this whole conversation doesn't need to happen.
    You want to complain about the pandemic but avoid doing the one thing we know will end the pandemic.
    Come out the rabbit hole and start helping us get back in business in a responsible way.
    • @ hush (12/05/2021, 15:54) Like (17) Dislike (3) Reply
      Explain to us all how the cruise tourist is in danger if he is vaxxed and we're not. I thought the vaxx is for personal protection of some sort for the tourist or anyone who took it? Who told you that your vaxx protects someone else? yuh hear lie
      • Hush (13/05/2021, 19:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Simple, the more people vaccinated the fewer places the vaccine has to go. If all of us are vaccinated that thing won't have anywhere to go. So by protecting yourself, you are protecting everyone else and helping to end this pandemic, economic road block, etc.
    • Beatitudes (13/05/2021, 07:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      ... and there we go, the prosecution that the book of revelation has begun.
    • @ hush (13/05/2021, 22:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hush need to hush
  • zone 8 (12/05/2021, 11:41) Like (78) Dislike (16) Reply
    Here is another mo moo blaming the premier smh
    • @zone 8 (12/05/2021, 20:08) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
      EVERYBODY LOOKING SOMEBODY TO BLAME LET US BLAME THE LEADERS OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS YES...THEM IN CONTROL AND STILL OUT HERE DOING $HIT TO PEOPLE...IS SUCH A SHAME TO SEE PEOPLE SLEEP IN BED WITH THESE EVIL HUMANS!!!
  • 2023 (12/05/2021, 11:42) Like (22) Dislike (45) Reply
    vip gone !!!!
  • josiah'sbay (12/05/2021, 11:48) Like (12) Dislike (8) Reply
    Singly it's difficult to fight that industry they can boycott any single destination into compliance. They are the boss but if the Caribbean had a collective entity to represent them the table would be turned. Where we can and when we can we should create collective organization the counter the bigger power. They don't need the BVI but they need the Caribbean.
  • Sudg Jest (12/05/2021, 11:54) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    Each employee display their photo,name and identified as vaccinated or non vaccinated on their person.
    Then it would be choice and decision for the customer.
  • clown (12/05/2021, 12:03) Like (19) Dislike (10) Reply
    Sam go have several seats with your ish
  • Lucifer (12/05/2021, 12:07) Like (21) Dislike (4) Reply
    The BVI is far more dependent on the cruise lines than the other way around. Why shouldn't the cruise lines be allowed to implement policies to protect their employees and passengers from illness. The cruise lines will just go to other destinations if the BVI is not compliant and then we will see how much of a tourism industry we have left. People are free to choose if they vaccinate or not but they should be aware that their decision will have wider consequences when those who do not wish to expose themselves to the risk of COVID decide to go elsewhere for their vacations
  • Potential Cruiser to the BVI (12/05/2021, 12:21) Like (41) Dislike (12) Reply
    I must say, your Premier is putting you in the forefront of this, as a tourist that is fully vaccinated and and is paying all the overblown fees and is going to be spending monies during our stay, yes, when I utilize a taxi driver, I am going to ask if the driver is fully vaccinated and request a driver that is fully vaccinated. The same goes if I am staying in a Hotel or Resort.
    • @Potential... (12/05/2021, 15:41) Like (13) Dislike (7) Reply
      So dumb!
      What exactly is the risk to YOU for being in the proximity of an unvaccinated person?
      • Rubber Duck (12/05/2021, 18:02) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
        Everyone wants to minimise the possibility of catching Covid. Although vaccinated yourself you are not totally immune from catching it from an unvaccinated person. But for a vaccinated person to catch it from another vaccinated person is almost impossible.

        So you want everyone to be vaccinated to kill the disease. Which it would.
    • @Potential Cruiser to the BVI (12/05/2021, 16:05) Like (19) Dislike (10) Reply
      As a Potential Cruiser you need to trust your vaccine. Why did you take it in the first place? If you haven't realized it yet Covid 19 had to have been imported whether you are vaccinated or not. We are the ones that are at risk and you need to understand that. Don't make it look like you're coming to a dangerous place when you're actually coming from one and could possibly be bringing in the virus. WE CAN BOAST ABOUT 100% RECOVERY RATE WITHOUT THE VACCINE!!
  • Wuhan laboratory (12/05/2021, 12:22) Like (23) Dislike (16) Reply
    There is more to COVID vaccine than meets the eye! # stay woke!
  • Hmmmm. (12/05/2021, 12:41) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    You really think the cruise line care what Andrew say? He has no power or can dictate to a cruise lineups to operate. Point blank and simple.
  • Who is making and enforcing policy? (12/05/2021, 12:46) Like (6) Dislike (12) Reply
    He who controls the money makes the rules. hence, if leadership is weak, ineffective or complacent, the people suffers.

    Looking at at this and the Oil Nut bay isues, it clear that this administration has, to the detriment of its working class populace, dropped the leadership ball.

    The master and not the government is clearly making and enforcing policy.
  • Sam Sam (12/05/2021, 12:58) Like (56) Dislike (62) Reply
    I agree with you all the way Sam and I'm in England! England ain't forcing the vaccine on anyone so why should the BVI do it? The Gov weak and full of it.
    • x (12/05/2021, 14:51) Like (31) Dislike (7) Reply
      The government is NOT forcing anyone.
      • @x (12/05/2021, 20:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
        THEY'RE TRYING TO BE SMART WITH IT BY SAYING YOU CAN'T ENTER OR DO CERTAIN THINGS WITHOUT THAVING THE VACCINE...WHY THE VACCINE SO IMPORTANT!?!?!? AND YET IT NOT KEEPING ME SAFE...IS EITHER IT KEEPING YOU SAFE OR NOT N IF NOT I DON'T NEED IT! SIMPLE!!!
  • wow (12/05/2021, 13:06) Like (43) Dislike (7) Reply
    I cannot believe we are still arguing over this vaccine. You either take it or not but you cannot tell private establishments that solely depend on tourism how they should run said establishment. Tourist are coming here vaccinated, we are requiring them to be vaccinated but now to meet their requirements, its a problem? You are kicking a dead horse. All around the world they are implementing these things so if you feel you are going to be the one to "change it", think again. Make your choice but all choices have a consequence. The BVI has not experienced COVID to understand its seriousness, we have experienced lockdowns and job losses. Unfortunately, just like hurricanes before Irma, we will have to experience the full force of this thing in order to understand the game we are playing.
  • Tourist have right, too. (12/05/2021, 13:34) Like (14) Dislike (6) Reply
    TOURIST THAT HAVE PLAN TO VISIT THE B.V.I FOR VACATION AND BUSINESS PURPOSES HAVE THE HOD GIVEN RIGHTS TO CHOOSE WHO THEY PREFER TO DRIVE FROM ONE POINT OR THE OTHER AS WE DO.
    IF THEIR RIGHTS ARE NOT RECONIZED BY US, WE SHOULD NOT FUSS ABOUT THEM NOT WANT TO COME TO VISIT OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. COVID-19 REMAIN DEADLY TO US AND THEM. THERE LIVES AND GOOD HEALTH ARE PREFERED OVER THE BEAUTY OF OUR COUNTRY.
    • @Tourist have right, too. (12/05/2021, 16:12) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
      Tell them trust their vaccine.....No excuses. They are not concerned about infecting us. That's not their frame of thinking in this case but think that they coming to a set of people with donkey and cart. I smarter than that. TELL THEM TO TRUST THEIR VACCINE AND COME
      • x (13/05/2021, 09:36) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
        You should have written that comment on a piece of paper and read it out loud before posting it here.
        • @x (13/05/2021, 10:42) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
          YOU TALK ALOT...CAN YOU TELL US WHAT THE VACCINE IS MADE UP OF!?!?!? SO THAT WE CAN KNOW THAT WE WOULD BE SAFE!!!
  • PSA (12/05/2021, 13:41) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    I won’t even remind you what you said a few weeks ago you didn’t make sense then and you don’t now.
    I am not a fan of Andrew A. Fahie but he has done nothing wrong, how is he going to defend the Territory against the COVID-19 policies implemented by cruise ships traveling to the Virgin Islands (VI) as a destination. Did you think that over before you wrote it? Because if you did something is wrong with you, Tell us what defense does Premier Andrew A. Fahie or any other Premier have against the Cruise Ships, the Cruise Ships laid out their COVID-19 policies we take it or leave it, the BVI laid out their own and anyone who wants to come to the BVI has to meet our COVID-19 Policy. The Cruise Ships not bullying anyone they are saying if you want us these are our terms, if we don’t want to work with it then they don’t come. Sam if you want to work the cruise ship get vaccinate the Premier can’t make rules for the cruise ship.
    You said instead of telling me about the defense he put up, to support and defend his own businesses, he told me that If I am not vaccinated I will get left behind. Maybe you can tell us what defense you would use. You say that Workers must stand up against vaccination policy you don’t have a leg to stand get vaccinate or find something else to do. Sam all this CRAP YOU WRITE IS NOT GOING TO GET YOU ANYWHERE, FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO, SORRY SAM. What is wrong with you people, you listen to all Media bull shit.


    • @PSA (13/05/2021, 09:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      When will you all see it for what it is? These people need to trust their vaccine and come and that's the bottom line of it all. The reason they took it was to protect themselves so it's time they exercise the faith and trust they have for this vaccine and stop looking to shift the focus. But I want you all to wait and see those same vaccinated cruiser's positive test results AND I could bet my last they won't be identified as vaccinated. WAIT FOR IT
  • pt109 (12/05/2021, 13:52) Like (27) Dislike (70) Reply
    @Sam Sam, The government is not forcing vaccine on anyone, the people are forcing themselves out of a job by not doing what is required of them. We are a tourism destination and if we want the business we have to stop this bull crap and get vaccinated. The labour code backs the establishments
    • yeah (12/05/2021, 17:03) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      We got to break the law because of money yeah ?...just like any illegal money enterprise...hmmmmmm
  • YOUR IS BIG YES, BUT YOU CARRY A TOOTHPICK SIZE STICK.STIICK. (12/05/2021, 14:28) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Simply put Sam, your big mouth proves your small immpotence. Our Government, muchless you are powerless to enforce our wiil on the cruise liners policy.
  • Sam ur wrong.. Stop it. (12/05/2021, 16:58) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    Businesses have the right to make rules to protect staff and customers..U talking a heap a nonsense Sam..When u go to Rite Way or One Mart and you aint wash your hands or sanitize and have a mass on they will deny you entry or service, ,Whats the difference..? If you all dont want to comply, dont want to work,, simple, stay at home...
    • @Sam ur wrong.. Stop it. (13/05/2021, 08:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      All you are doing like everybody else who have been fooled is giving the vaccine itself a pass. Trust your so called vaccine which is supposed to protect you from COVID. Is that too hard to ask? Stop insisting that my vaccination protects you....It doesn't .....It's to protect me and only me. TRUST YOUR SO CALLED VACCINE.
    • Be Observant (13/05/2021, 10:46) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      WHAT IS IN THE VACCINE THAT CAN ELIMINATE THIS VIRUS!?!?!?!? VACCINE COULD PROTECT A BUILDING BY KEEPING IT SAFE?!?!?!? SO IF YOUR BUSINESS GET ROBBED YOU WILL SAY MORE PEOPLE NEED TO BE VACCINATED!?!?!?!? WOW VERY DUMB OF YOU AS A BUSINESS OWNER
  • facts (12/05/2021, 17:56) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Article 135. Protect the health of your guests and your staff. Simple.
  • Quiver (12/05/2021, 18:11) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    It must be deliberate that some these people are deliberately making a play for the new Governor and the COI.
    These past ds y s and weeks have demonstrated to us and a ll we ho can see,that their is a drought of intellect and common sense in the VI ,top to bottom that is unsettl I ng. Added to that an undercurrent of illegal and dishonest activities,top to bottom. Everything t hingshaky and unsettling as the elected Gov does it s day to day of pulling the wool over our eyes with fast talk and little production.
  • IF THEY ONLY KNOW!!! (12/05/2021, 20:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    MUST WATCH ON NETFLIX - THE BARRIER
  • next (12/05/2021, 21:19) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    thank you PSA well said one set of jokers a set of 3mouth people writing bull all the time thanks to the primer keep on your knees God is in control
  • THE TIP TOE (13/05/2021, 00:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Watch the drama unfold.
  • agreed (13/05/2021, 01:31) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    With Sam 100...
  • trrefdrfds (13/05/2021, 05:40) Like (18) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sam believes that the BVI is a separate world.
  • Be Observant (13/05/2021, 11:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    DON'T LET THEM FOOL YUH..WE GOT A MIND OF OUR OWN..WE GOT A LIFE TO LIVE..THE DARKNESS MUST COME TO LIGHT..NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE LIES...STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!

  • update (13/05/2021, 11:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the end 2021 will be the measuring stick because all of us have a personal opinion and we all think our opinion is valid.....come december 2021 all of us will have a clear and real picture of this matter: in the mean time and in between time just keep on keeping on
  • S henrie (13/05/2021, 12:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I got the right away. Hush yuh
  • have a seat sam (13/05/2021, 14:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    get your own cruise ships; your own fleet of transportation and you will be fine




Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.