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VI seaports to reopen to international visitors December 8, 2020

A week after the Virgin Islands reopens its borders to international visitors via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on December 1, 2020, the territory’s seaports will reopen to tourists. Photo: VINO/File
The date for the reopening of the seaports to international visitors was disclosed by Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at a community meeting on Jost van Dyke today, October 22, 2020. Photo: Facebook
The date for the reopening of the seaports to international visitors was disclosed by Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at a community meeting on Jost van Dyke today, October 22, 2020. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said not all the seaports in the Territory will be reopened to international visitors on December 8, 2020, adding that more details will be disclosed in a national address on Monday, October 26, 2020. Photo: Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said not all the seaports in the Territory will be reopened to international visitors on December 8, 2020, adding that more details will be disclosed in a national address on Monday, October 26, 2020. Photo: Facebook
GREAT HARBOUR, Jost van Dyke, VI- A week after the Virgin Islands reopens its borders to international visitors via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on December 1, 2020, the territory’s seaports will reopen to tourists.

This was disclosed by Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) at a community meeting on Jost van Dyke today, October 22, 2020.

“You the people of Jost van Dyke will be the first to hear, as you would have already known, visitors will be allowed entry through the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport as of December the 1st 2020, but visitors will be able to enter through the seaports from December 8, 2020,” Hon de Castro disclosed.

Her announcement was received with a round of applause from the tourism dependent residents of Jost van Dyke.

Staggered reopening of seaports

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said not all the seaports in the Territory will be reopened to international visitors on December 8, 2020, adding that more details will be disclosed in a national address on Monday, October 26, 2020.

He said the decision to stagger the border reopening is because Government has to decide what risks it is going to take and how much of the risks the territory can manage.

“We are not going to fool ourselves to think that we can handle all of them one time, we can’t and I am not going to fool the territory at that.”

Hon Fahie added that a lot of consideration has been put into the reopening of the borders, including consultations and meetings with a cross section of stakeholders, technical persons and experts.

32 Responses to “VI seaports to reopen to international visitors December 8, 2020”

  • question (22/10/2020, 22:08) Like (28) Dislike (13) Reply
    Can we leave ?? Or we’re still in jail?
    • @ question (22/10/2020, 23:41) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
      Could’ve always left it’s have to quarantine upon return
    • Hope (23/10/2020, 07:26) Like (3) Dislike (28) Reply
      I hope them island people don’t think they could move here now
    • Sickening (23/10/2020, 09:07) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
      @ question. You sound like an retarded @$$. Ppl like you makes the dog sick.
  • yesss (22/10/2020, 22:08) Like (1) Dislike (42) Reply
    We’re a step ahead of them down islands
    • @ywsss. U sleeping (22/10/2020, 22:54) Like (13) Dislike (38) Reply
      The BVI is the last to open. We still waiting on a plan... They need to copy St Vincent plan.. Simple,. Effective and attractive...
      • Rubber Duck (23/10/2020, 04:34) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
        They make it up as they go along.
        • Jessica Jones (24/10/2020, 07:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          They have to make it up as they go along. We will alawys need a plan A, plan B, C, D etc. wirh this virus.
    • @ yesss (22/10/2020, 23:42) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      The other islands have had tourists including celebs all during COVID-19
  • vi (22/10/2020, 22:10) Like (13) Dislike (9) Reply
    Why not November I broke I depending on the tourist to work
    • HAHA (22/10/2020, 22:57) Like (32) Dislike (7) Reply
      Next time invest in agriculture then u wouldn’t have to be waiting on tourist to make a dollar
  • Wellsah (22/10/2020, 22:11) Like (6) Dislike (14) Reply
    The flood gates will be open for corna
  • Ghost (22/10/2020, 22:42) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is all good and we know that the Premier and his team have been working very hard All this time to keep persons safe as best they can, and I want to believe that they will do their best to put a plan in place going forward with this re-opening.. just wanting for details of same. We All need to pray that God Continue to Give them Wisdom to make the Right decisions for all..
  • VIP Voice (22/10/2020, 22:44) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is good...VIP needs a voice to deliver their message in a Calm, assuring and compassionate way.. Maybe this can be the voice they need.....
  • Servant of the Most High (22/10/2020, 22:47) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    I do, to a limited degree, understand some of the pressures that we as a people have been and presently being dealing with. I sympertize with this present government and the many in our community that have and are still suffering, due jobs lost or reduction in days work for pay, that before help them make ends meet. whoever, I do not see a clear way forward out of the Covid-19 problems. It is quite clear the the Governtment cannot afford to keep us in this high stressful situation. We must move forward. I have no problem with moving forward by faith, but I do have a problem with the planned swing wide openning of our country borders and ports unprepared for the consequences that highly will accured. Thing are very tough. Many of our people are painfully suffering hardship. But I take this opportunity to warn us, that Covid-19 is still a worldwide assasin. The B.V.l is no exception. Like God is no respector of persons, Covid-19 isn't eighter. WE ARE NOT YET OUT OF THE WOODS, BUT WE, BY THE POWER OF GODLY WISDOM, CAN GET THE WOODS THAT HINDER CLEAR VISION OUT OF OUR MINDS. SPEED DOESN'T KILLS ANYONE, BUT DEATH TAKES ADVANTAGE OF SPEED, AND KILLS MANY HASTY MINDED ONES.
    • @Servant of the most low (23/10/2020, 05:24) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      So we should just throw up our hands wave the white Surrender and give tge virus victory... Thats not the most high way...Thats not a way forward...A good plan will keep the virus out....u not sorry for the people u sound like a two blade Sord..u dangerous
  • great (22/10/2020, 22:55) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    This the Voice the VIP needs,. Calm and assuring..
  • lodger (22/10/2020, 23:12) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
    So she let the cat out of the bag! Bet Fahie is pissed!
  • ausar (22/10/2020, 23:43) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Honourable Premier and Junior Minister for Tourism, Ms. De Castro!!!

    I'm amost in tears!

    Finally, I can return home, by sea, to the birth place of my parents, to see immediate family, and conduct business!

    THIS IS A GOOD DAY!
  • big question (22/10/2020, 23:47) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Will foxy host his big event
  • note (23/10/2020, 05:36) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    The COVID-19 infection in the US and in Europe are currently rising I ng and so are the deaths.
    Thus al a ring factc should be a factor in opening the borders.
  • Servant of the Most High (23/10/2020, 07:41) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    American tourists are regular visitors, but record show that over 220,000 thousands have died in America, and counting since Covid-19 virus struck them this year. Yes, they are openning up for economics and other needed reasons, so shoud we, but to open our borders and ports wide open is no less that openning your front wide open and in invite a killer in, because your family is hurting for lack of money. Yes, things are ruff and tough. But Covid-19 is ruffer and tougher. That means that we should be more knowledgible and wiser. But are we??? Should we pray to God, but trust in man's knowledge? Or Should we pray to God, and ask Him for knowledge and wisdom, and trust in Him. I urge you to open your Bible and turn to the the book of Jeremish 17:5-12. May God by His grace of life and love protect us all.
  • vi (23/10/2020, 10:01) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    It’s a pandemic we could have done a lot better
  • usvi (23/10/2020, 10:35) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    While we sit a fumble around talking piss about a plan the USVI has been leading with technology and a real plan. Over 25,000 tourists since July and very little in the way of serious infection. Yes they have had some active cases but nearly none in the hospital. When will this backwards territory learn to work more closely with is USVI neighbor?
    • vi (24/10/2020, 05:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      We have to do like the usvi locals and tourists come with your negative covid test or get one on arival
  • voter (23/10/2020, 10:37) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    we voting again for Hon decastro bam bam bam
  • GG (25/10/2020, 20:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ VI .... REALLY be like the USVI? they have 21 deaths .... we just had a surge and panic started .. hope you have money and a strong immune system when you are ready to travel ...and remember TRUMP don't like us we are not white Americans.


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