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We now have 'personal responsibility' to protect against COVID-19- Hon Penn

- Points to reduction in public health measures as setting a shift from gov’t to people
With the Virgin Islands (VI) currently experiencing an uptick in active COVID-19 cases, the new Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), has reminded the public that the responsibility to protect against the virus now lies with the individual. Photo: GIS/File
Persons in the [British] Virgin Islands are no longer required to wear masks outdoors. Photo: VINO
Persons in the [British] Virgin Islands are no longer required to wear masks outdoors. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– With the Virgin Islands (VI) currently experiencing an uptick in active COVID-19 cases, the new Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), has reminded the public that the responsibility to protect against the virus now lies with the individual.

Hon Penn made the statement on May 13, 2022, during his first statement as Minister for Health and Social Development, since taking up the position from Hon Carvin Malone (AL) to form a coalition government under Premier, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7).

“As the pandemic has changed over the last two years, we have seen the emergence of new strains of COVID-19. Thankfully, the current Omicron variant and its associated sub-variants, despite being more contagious, continue to be associated with much mild disease than previous variants,” he added.

As such, the Health Minister said levels of immunity would be improved in the population through vaccination and natural immunity and the sensible application of certain public measures have since been relaxed.

Persons in the VI are no longer required to wear masks outdoors. 

Individuals now have responsibility – Hon Penn

“On this backdrop, responsibility has shifted from Government to individuals to ensure their own personal safety and make sensible [decisions] for themselves, their families and their connections,” he added.

The Health Minister said vaccination remains a wise personal option as a strategy for protection, especially for the vulnerable such as the elderly and immune-compromised persons.

The Minister revealed that as of March 10, 2022, just 64% of the VI population have received at least one dose of the vaccine while 59.6% had received two doses.

He called on individuals to make their own decisions with respect to protecting themselves from the virus by getting tested if they believe they may have been exposed as well as to self-isolate if exposed to a confirmed positive case.

According to the Territory's Epidemiological Summary on May 12, 2022, there are 155 active COVID-19 cases in the VI.

16 Responses to “We now have 'personal responsibility' to protect against COVID-19- Hon Penn”

  • asking for a friend (16/05/2022, 11:43) Like (26) Dislike (18) Reply
    Is this the new minister of death?
  • Most people (16/05/2022, 12:26) Like (15) Dislike (13) Reply
    End the mask for indoors as well, there aren’t much sensible people wearing a mask outside. Even when people wear mask indoors they rip their mask off as soon as they see step outside. The people want their lives back. Most people reuse their dirty mask weeks upon weeks just end the mask none sense and make everything a personal choice. Please and thanks!
  • say so (16/05/2022, 12:33) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    Is this a script from the Directors or did he do his own research?hmmmm
  • To the above entry (16/05/2022, 12:53) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    Why would you say something as stupid as that? Give the process and the new setup a chance to work. Remember, what information they may have or what they share with us could make a difference in our lives and country.
  • god is watching (16/05/2022, 13:39) Like (19) Dislike (18) Reply
    Hon. Penn, can you give us an update when you get the chance about the number of fatalities relating to these vaccines? Also, please give us the statistics on how many persons have contracted the virus after being vaccinated. Please and thanks.
    • @god is watching (17/05/2022, 06:20) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      Please educate yourself from sounding so clueless by asking for an update on how many vaccinated person contracted the virus. If you did your research, you would know that being vaccinated does not stop one from contracting the virus, it just lessens the severity of your symptoms thus saving you from possible death. Ignorance certainly is bliss.
      • Hello ooh? (17/05/2022, 09:54) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Shut the hell up!! Most persons who alhave tested positive for the covid has been fully vaccinated. Yes one of my friend who took thr 3 doses ended up in the hospital for almost 2 weeks with the covid. I also heard of many instances where persons died soon after taking the vaccine, but as usual they won't make this public. They will tell us the deaths are unexplained and inconclusive. I been living unvaccinated for years now and has never gotten the coronavirus.
  • Really (16/05/2022, 13:40) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    But wait when the cases had rose last year round 1800 (confirmed)positives if I remember well
    And from then to now soo many more it was suspected entire population was infected anyways
    That being said the positives with natural immunity
    In combination with the fully vaxx
    That’s enough immunity my humbled opinion.
  • Gray (16/05/2022, 13:46) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    Uk no mask. Y we still useing mask . To long now. Let move on with our life. We have to live with covid.. Say some thing to the people man.
  • Dr Akon (16/05/2022, 14:43) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    Where is the change, still following the x minister words. Flu goes around every year. Depending on the strength of your immune system at the time will determine how bad yone catches it. Ain't every flu is covid, nuff said.
  • long look me come from (16/05/2022, 15:39) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    This boy must learn to read he is not premier material
  • Lily Ann (16/05/2022, 17:00) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Marlon stop with your nonsense, St Thomas ending this pandemic, and you still here talking bout covid this and that !!! Yall want to hold on to the influx of money yall making from this fake virus !!! Struuuups
  • ... (17/05/2022, 04:23) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Thank God for a coalition government smurf could not get a ministry under ndp
  • Shut (17/05/2022, 09:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the hospital needs cleanup we can't even get our money this is alot of shite


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