VI must find safer ways for tourism businesses to operate– Hon Penn
Hon Penn made the calls during the July 28, 2021, edition of JTV’s the Big Story hosted by Cathy O. Richards and available on Facebook.
VI tourism sector hit hardest in pandemic - Hon Penn
According to the Opposition Leader, “I sympathise with the tourism industry in particular because they have been the ones who have been hit the hardest due to COVID-19 in terms of their industry and their livelihood and their way of life,” he said.
Hon Penn said he understands that while some business considerations had to be made due to a surge of COVID-19 cases in the VI and the following of health protocols, ways can be devised for businesses to operate in a safe environment.
“But we also have to look at ways where we could continue to stay safe, keep our businesses safe or citizens safe and operate in a way, a safer way where our livelihood can continue.”
According to the Opposition Leader, the way forward is working on different tangents to find a balance with businesses operating and staying safe.
He said for example on the sister islands, tourists continue to flock to the islands however, they have nothing much to do.
Safe & creative procedure needed - Hon Penn
“I am in no way asking to be irresponsible in the way that we protect ourselves and our lives from COVID-19 but we have to also understand that we have to find a way to live with COVID-19 and it means for us we coming up with safe and creative procedures so for people to continue their livelihoods.”
Hon Penn called on businesses to respect the protocols and not just agree for the sake of their business to be allowed to operate only to break the rules again.
“My heart bleeds for the sister islands… from last year when we have been talking about this issue, I continue to say that we have to find a way to get some support to the sister islands more than ever because they in particular are the ones who are hurting because of their dependence on tourism,” he said while calling for tourism in general across the VI to be allowed to operate safely.
Currently, restaurants are only allowed to offer takeout services and bars have been ordered closed. Further, there is a 7:00pm to 5:00am curfew in the territory.
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16 Responses to “VI must find safer ways for tourism businesses to operate– Hon Penn ”
People with vision make way that others to achieve their highest potential. People that seek to find the way, are those that seek to follow in the way that others have made. Simple put, a way maker is far more qualify to lead than a way finder. Why? Because not all ways lead to success. The simple truth is that you are a leader, but at this point and time, we need a way maker rather than a way finder as our Premier, but not without a wise heart with genuine love, Gody love.
what suggestions or ideas can to bring to the table
you are branded as the opposition-leader and a leader must have ideas- a leader must also be a problem solver
stop the talking and simply speaking out about a given matter without valid input is simply childish behavior
the people or some of us looking to more productive chats
The B.V.I is not isolated in terms of business decline. Many other countries in the Caribbean and around the world are in the same predicament and are not crying as Marlon is doing because crying will not help the cause.
the leaders need to pay more attention to home affairs and move forward with diversing the economy and stop relying on others for money
the seawater around our islands is bountiful with fish cant done, our forefather used these same seawater back then but our leader got fancy: we now sitting back waiting on aeroplane and Cruise ships arrivals to make money
redeveloping the fishing industry is not bad because after a hurricane you dont have to repair the seawater
some of the 13 elected using covid to score votes next elections: one minute open the ports so ports open in comes devastating COVID-19 cases
We are going through certain things because of a global pandemic and the proof is here, in our country we have lost our love ones within days, not even hurricanes have caused this much deaths in this territory
let keep it real; can you see a political party intentionally disrupting the economy of your county
we did not have any covid 19 2011-2019 yet all now no plane; all now pier park project not complete; all now cash spent on the wall and wall not finished; the sewage east end still sitting in limbo(some willing to sweep such poor political leadership under the rugs)
The British Virgin Islands is part of a world-look at the united kingdom and united states of amercia