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SCB funeral may have violated social distancing guidelines

- Videos show crowded chapel; Authorities grapple to track all exposed to COVID-19
In a video of the funeral streamed online, the service which was scheduled for 8:00 am- 9:00 am at the Sea Cows Bay Methodist church was crowded and some attendees seen without masks. Photo: Facebook
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) told VINO that authorities learnt of the positive test of the individual who attended the funeral from lab results, however, no further details were provided. Photo: VINO/File
Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) told VINO that authorities learnt of the positive test of the individual who attended the funeral from lab results, however, no further details were provided. Photo: VINO/File
Videos of the March 27, 2021, possible super-spreader funeral service in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, have revealed that the event may have violated current COVID-19 guideline and protocols regarding social distancing. Photo: Facebook
Videos of the March 27, 2021, possible super-spreader funeral service in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, have revealed that the event may have violated current COVID-19 guideline and protocols regarding social distancing. Photo: Facebook
SEA COWS BAY, Tortola, VI - Videos of the March 27, 2021, possible super-spreader funeral service in Sea Cows Bay, Tortola, have revealed that the event may have violated current COVID-19 guidelines and protocols regarding social distancing.

In a video of the funeral streamed online, the service which was scheduled for 8:00 am- 9:00 am at the Sea Cows Bay Methodist church was crowded and some attendees seen without masks.

The church has since closed its doors out of an "abundance of caution", following news of a funeral attendee testing positive for COVID-19 and exposing the entire congregation.

Authorities are now grappling to contact trace those attendees, telling the VI in a March 28, 2021, public missive, that all persons who attended the funeral should isolate for 10 days and contact the Public Health Unit from Monday, March 29, 2021, for testing.

Mass testing to being to begin in April 

Special Advisor to the Ministry of Health, Dr Ronald E. Georges said that mass testing of the attendees would only commence after 10 days, “At 10 days, we are looking at 90 something per cent of persons who would become positive who would be positive, so that is actually a better time to test,” he said.

While authorities remain tight-lipped on details surrounding the funeral.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) told VINO that authorities learnt of the positive test of the individual who attended the funeral from lab results; however, no further details were provided. 

In official documents seen by VINO, the individual in question was reportedly issued a ‘certificate of release’ after a negative Sars-CoV-2-RT-PCR test result via a Nasopharyngeal swab where the sample was taken on March 23, 2021, and the tests result received on March 24, 2021.

An internal investigation has reportedly been launched.

25 Responses to “SCB funeral may have violated social distancing guidelines”

  • Peep game (31/03/2021, 13:11) Like (30) Dislike (29) Reply
    Bet y’all ain’t figure something out, those who weren’t wearing any mask won’t be fine even tho there’s video evidence because telling someone to wear a mask is against your human rights, a mask is a medical device and only a doctor can give you medical advice because no one knows your medical condition and if you took that to court along with a lawyer like the people in Canada 9/10 you would win that case, but most of us locals don’t know our rights.
    • Stupido (31/03/2021, 16:26) Like (16) Dislike (9) Reply
      What makes a mask a medical device? Is a scissors a medical devise? Is a computer a medical device?
      So the man in the wood work shop who wears a mask is wearing a medical device? Or the Farmer who wears a mask when spraying his farm with a pesticide?
    • x (31/03/2021, 16:41) Like (28) Dislike (1) Reply
      Canada laws do not apply to us.
  • Deception (31/03/2021, 13:12) Like (43) Dislike (1) Reply
    In these times of deception my only advice is “Listen to everybody but think for yourself”
  • Really (31/03/2021, 13:13) Like (58) Dislike (7) Reply
    No funeral services follows social distancing guidelines because we have all become relaxed and think we are immune to COVID
    • facts (31/03/2021, 13:43) Like (29) Dislike (4) Reply
      These funeral services has become like J'ouvert or Carnival lately....NO social Distancing and Hardly anybody wearing Mask. A ton of people inside and a next ton outside under a tent. I swear there was a limit for these occasions.
    • Not true (31/03/2021, 16:21) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      Maybe the majority of funerals donot follow covid protocols, but not at St. George's. We follow all protocols as laid down by the authorities. Further, we have no funerals on Saturdays. The Church is cleaned and sanitized on Saturday fot Mass on Sunday. Pay a visit to St. George's and you will see what I am talking about.
    • @ Really (31/03/2021, 18:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Not “we all”... some of us don’t let our guards down
  • I interested (31/03/2021, 13:19) Like (33) Dislike (4) Reply
    That is a lie.I was there.The pews were roped off .Only every pew was occupied and all who sat together were family members.Stop trying to cover up the mistakes of the health department.The buck stops with them.I am tired of the blame shifting.Carvin must manup and accept responsibility.
  • omg (31/03/2021, 13:25) Like (35) Dislike (1) Reply
    Really Bob and Milage funeral were filled with people.....We didn't hear any complaints then .....What is the issues now because of this case you making noise..Both funerals violated social distancing guidelines
    • omg (31/03/2021, 21:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Same thing I was saying just because of this funeral Saturday all those funeral that was so huge everybody like to do whatever they want in the BVI nonsense
  • WHAT!!! (31/03/2021, 13:38) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    “May have” just need to look at the photograph the is no “may”
  • Play de tape (31/03/2021, 13:43) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Crowded... I would like to see the video for myself! HSA yall are partly to blame for this. Don't try to shift the blame!
  • Protocol (31/03/2021, 14:04) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many government ministers and higher ups was there??
  • See (31/03/2021, 14:11) Like (20) Dislike (4) Reply
    try going to ANY club or strip club. Stop all the fake surprise when certain businesses have no rules
  • mAN uP (31/03/2021, 14:50) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    Y'all sound like a bunch of scardy cats howling. Afraid to face what we must some day.
  • lmao (31/03/2021, 15:00) Like (14) Dislike (5) Reply
    This is when families feel like they are above the law solely based on last name . Ridiculous!
  • w (31/03/2021, 15:00) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    I don't know when Tortola people will learn how to take things serious
  • Mourning (31/03/2021, 16:11) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    I was there. Who all came there went to grieve and celebrate the life of a wife, mother, aunt, cousin, friend, colleague, etc. I feel an additional stress and burden placed upon the people who were there and are still grieving the life lost. This whole thing has turned ugly because of the negligence of Health. I say this because by practice, health only calls a person when they are "positive". All the other times, it's like a guessing game:

    " Well they didn't call me or answer any of my multiple calls so I GUESS everything is okay".

    Where is the lie?! Start calling people even when they are negative please.

    Whilst there was a lot of people there, everyone I met wore a mask. All the time? I cannot speak to that. I know for sure it was a beautiful gathering. I saw people I had not seen in a while...I am at peace that she is at peace. A wonderful being has left this world and there is a void left in our hearts.

    Please stop with the crazy rhetoric, false narratives and hurtful words of expression. So Health & Co., if it takes watching the video, using the funeral home register or word of mouth, do your part and find who needs to be found. This is a lesson learnt for everyone, attendants and non-attendants. I pray for healing and protection to those who are mourning a loved one during these times, and also those who are in isolation. We will get through this BVI!
    • @ mourning (31/03/2021, 17:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      i definitely agree with that statement "health only calls a person when they are positive".
    • Agree Mourning (31/03/2021, 21:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Thank you! Finally someone the speaks truth and sense. A wonderful family my prayers and thought are with you.
      This too Shall Pass.
  • I would say (31/03/2021, 17:59) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is not going to go away anytime soon. Everyone who was in the Church and Burial site maskless or with the mask below the nose, need to get tested.


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