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VI borders could be closed 4 to 6 months minimum' - Skelton-Cline

- or Territory risks 'second-wave' of COVID-19 infections
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island has been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo: VINO/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline said if the ban is lifted too early, the territory runs the risk of a second wave of infections. Photo: VINO/File
Claude O. Skelton-Cline said if the ban is lifted too early, the territory runs the risk of a second wave of infections. Photo: VINO/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has already affirmed that the borders fo the territory might be closed for a little longer than forecasted, casting uncertainty on whether the VI will actually end its 14-day social-distancing lockdown. Photo: GIS/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has already affirmed that the borders fo the territory might be closed for a little longer than forecasted, casting uncertainty on whether the VI will actually end its 14-day social-distancing lockdown. Photo: GIS/File
Government consultant and commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline said he envisions that the borders of the Virgin Islands (VI) will be closed for at least 46 months in the best-case scenario as Government continues to make moves to protect the Territory against COVID-19. Photo: VINO/File
Government consultant and commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline said he envisions that the borders of the Virgin Islands (VI) will be closed for at least 46 months in the best-case scenario as Government continues to make moves to protect the Territory against COVID-19. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - Government consultant and commentator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline said he envisions that the borders of the Virgin Islands (VI) will be closed for at least 4 to 6 months in the best-case scenario as Government continues to make moves to protect the Territory against COVID-19.

'Long after we are able to have greater movement in our Territory, the fact of the matter is, we've heard from our leaders the borders will have to be closed for a while, that's one of the stark realities," he said on the Monday, April 13, 2020, edition of Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM.

Protecting Borders 

Skelton-Cline continued, "I personally now speaking, not on behalf of them [Government]... I envisage what could be 4 to 6 months at a minimum in the best-case scenario, because where are you going to go? The US and it's a hot spot? You will go to the UK, an even more hotspot?" he questioned rhetorically.

He said one of the concerns of the authorities is community spread and contamination, "and if you should go, you will have a hard time coming back, because [they] not going to be able to let you in and then we run the risk of re-contamination or creating second waves."

Pointing to the example of China, Mr Skelton-Cline said the VI runs the risk of a second wave of the virus after the initial containment if the Territory does not continue to monitor and manage the movement of people properly.

Global reports indicate that countries can also run the risk of unleashing a second wave of infections by lifting current restrictions on social distancing too early.

Our newsroom reached out to Mr Skelton-Cline for further comments but was not successful up to time of publication.

Preventing second-wave infections 

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has already indicated that the borders of the Territory may be closed for 'a little while longer' after the 14-day lockdown ends on April 19, 2020.

He also said the challenge for the Territory would be how to maintain control internally, before opening up the borders again.

So far, the Virgin Islands has only confirmed three imported cases of COVID-19 infections but with no evidence of community spread.

43 Responses to “VI borders could be closed 4 to 6 months minimum' - Skelton-Cline”

  • Hmm (14/04/2020, 16:34) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply

    I agree to it being closed because by the looks of those other countries in the world especially the US this virus is not getting cleared up tomorrow or next month. 

    • VICKIE (14/04/2020, 19:02) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      I AGREE BUT NOT SO LONG. CAN YOU TELL TAX PAYERS WHAT GOVERNMENT IS PAYING YOU TO DO
  • upset (14/04/2020, 16:36) Like (11) Dislike (79) Reply
    My family is out there and if they don’t get in within the next 1-2 months I hope the government and claud got the money for this lawsuit coming. Putting my family life’s at risk and they are locals
    • @upset (14/04/2020, 18:32) Like (16) Dislike (11) Reply
      When they come in they will be coming in with Corona
      • HMMM (14/04/2020, 19:16) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        Oh shut up!
      • @ @upset (15/04/2020, 17:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        They are our people or family, whatever they come home with or without we have their backs, just like your country has yours. Our people come first, and don't any of you forget this fact!
    • facts man (14/04/2020, 18:44) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
      I hope when your family come and put my family at risk you got money to bury them...
    • yoyo (14/04/2020, 19:21) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      You go there and be blessed with Corona
    • @upset (14/04/2020, 19:29) Like (31) Dislike (6) Reply
      Leave your family where they is. Cause i too sure when we needed help after Irma, you didn’t care for your family to come home and help us at home. Only now people want to come home because of this virus, but didn’t mind running away to the states or where ever when things wasn’t going good for us at home. Stay ayu ass where ever ayu is.
      • True (14/04/2020, 21:21) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Facts
      • sooo (15/04/2020, 18:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        It's their right to come and go as they please, this is their country. Many of you on here are afraid of the borders reopening not the Coronavirus. You all fear having to be sent back home, and a loss of the US dollar! That’s all of your fears!!!
      • Lol..ok (16/04/2020, 06:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Funny but sticky. I have to endure not having my wife and kids with me. And we understand the importance. But I believe once things are in place the way the government say they prepared to handle the pandemic well we should be ok that's depends on the numbers arriving and the provisions provided
    • @upset (14/04/2020, 20:18) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
      I understand that you might want your family near but have you thought of the big picture? Thousands of lives will be put at risk if we do not control our boarders. This is not the time to be selfish- support our premier and his team. They are looking out for the best interest of an entire territory and that includes you and your family members as well.
    • wise up (14/04/2020, 21:13) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      U have no sense would u put an entire nation at rise just for your family please
      • @ Wise Up (15/04/2020, 18:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Many of you love to say that we are all cousins? So therefore, if you have a problem with our family coming back home you can go back home to safety. We will care for our cousins on their return.
    • @upset (14/04/2020, 23:30) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      They are already at risk and by them coming here would put everyone at risk
      They need to stay put lawsuit my foot
      In a crisis a world pandemic the gov can and will protect his borders in any way he sees fit ....
      • @ @upset (15/04/2020, 18:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        No need indeed, the government will protect their borders and their citizens at home and abroad. All governments must. Citizens do not fear, entry and medical care if needed will be provided.
  • Lol. U like Jokes. (14/04/2020, 16:36) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Wishful thinking. Never knew BVI making its own money....Now i know U R a fake. U dont like VIP. U want them out of power, that exactly what would happen...
  • Reader (14/04/2020, 16:41) Like (51) Dislike (5) Reply
    I hear some people upset because the borders is close & saying the premier is not respecting his locals who want to come in y’all forget he has two daughters out there in America that want to come into and he’s not letting them Andrew is right with closing the borders he’s protecting his people the day we let people in this virus might be here in numbers.
    • @Reader (15/04/2020, 18:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Please, borders! Borders let you in and out as well and many are unemployed. That’s what many care about, their exit.
  • NezRez (14/04/2020, 16:54) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes, since we see the ravages this virus has taken on the other countries, where in the world would we be running to? Yes, allow us out of our homes, but we still need to practice our cleaning and wearing of masks to protect ourselves until we are sure. What is a little inconvenience trying to be safe, if you wind up dead from negligence? We will all have to wait this terrible and life threatening virus out. Even when they say we are allowed out, I am still distancing, because people are really stupid sometimes.
  • old (14/04/2020, 17:01) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bvi is a small territory’ If we have to get more Covib19. Case.Lord have mercy on us..Hurricane season is close by .People don’t stop pray God is Good..
  • This come (14/04/2020, 19:00) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Like a joke now you people don't know what you all want I wander if you all know how serious this virus is boy me no know not even d Government u all respects
  • asking for a friend (14/04/2020, 19:01) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Who is claude speaking for?
  • trouble (14/04/2020, 19:06) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    no new money coming in
    • far (15/04/2020, 08:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Claude and the vip will pay I have no money I cannot go on the rocks to fish so what they want we to do thief I know when I get hungry I coming out all you could send me jail
  • pp (14/04/2020, 19:07) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    Keep it closed untill the time is right.
  • yoyo (14/04/2020, 19:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sir That is the best thing to do to make this Island safe heaven again
  • YOLO (14/04/2020, 19:32) Like (2) Dislike (17) Reply
    what's about orders i have that is delay >>>car that's should be here april 17th that's is for the customer what i will tell them....they need there ride...i can't afford to give them a refund....i also have car parts coming in that should of been here 2 weeks ago i need my parts to fix my ride....no one aint going stop for me because the fear of the convid 19...... when we all get let out>>
  • True (14/04/2020, 19:42) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    hope his consulting job has been withdrawn by the Government to save money, perhaps then he might think again.
  • No more tourism (14/04/2020, 19:44) Like (9) Dislike (4) Reply
    The ports shouldn’t be open period...yes, I am aware that tourism is a big money maker for the pillar of our economy, but no ports shouldn’t be open for the safety of us.

    I predict if the ports reopen, I estimate that we will have a high possibility of 87.77% chance of getting more covid 19 cases. Remember now, there are 6,000+ cases in the Caribbean region alone with nearly half of a Million cases globally. We have tourists coming from the region and abroad along with locals who’ll be coming back from these red flagged countries. We can be easily contaminated.

    I want my message out there. Please! For the safety of the BVislanders
  • Sigh (15/04/2020, 00:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I just wanna be able to visit my doctor in St.Thomas and come right back up sighh
  • Scientist (15/04/2020, 04:27) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hope you have factual basis for a 4-6 mo shut down. Seems to me that by May, whatever cases are here will have run their course. Focus on how to keep it from returning. Keeping borders closed is one approach until Sept or Oct but not very practical.
  • citdeh (15/04/2020, 14:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ya'll ain see the BEWEI don'tneed nobady dem meking dem own money, some ah dem so foolish them deh but God ain't good, foolish like dem could give them own life sorry for ya'll unbelief. I't bad you could think of God in that manner
  • musa (16/04/2020, 01:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop and think what ever have to happen good or bad the premier and his team on top of things and together we all need to pray and ask the supreme lord blessings upon them and their families.


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