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'Wrap It Up' Campaign launched to promote safe festival practices

The Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to advocate for safe festival practices with the launch of its annual Wrap it Up Campaign. Photo: VINO/File
Running from July 13 to August 7, 2026, the of Health and Social Development's 'Wrap It Up Before You Wuk It Up' Campaign combines health education with culturally relevant messaging to promote safer sexual practices, responsible alcohol consumption, and personal responsibility throughout the festival season. Photo: GIS
Running from July 13 to August 7, 2026, the of Health and Social Development's 'Wrap It Up Before You Wuk It Up' Campaign combines health education with culturally relevant messaging to promote safer sexual practices, responsible alcohol consumption, and personal responsibility throughout the festival season. Photo: GIS
Free condoms are available at the Public Health Unit, located on the third floor of the Union Property Building. Photo: newsweek.com
Free condoms are available at the Public Health Unit, located on the third floor of the Union Property Building. Photo: newsweek.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to advocate for safe festival practices with the launch of its annual Wrap it Up Campaign.

Running from July 13 to August 7, 2026, the Ministry's "Wrap It Up Before You Wuk It Up" Campaign combines health education with culturally relevant messaging to promote safer sexual practices, responsible alcohol consumption, and personal responsibility throughout the festival season.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronald E. Georges, said in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release that festival is a time to celebrate our culture, heritage, and freedom. It is also a time when increased social activities can lead to higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), alcohol-related injuries, impaired driving, and other preventable health risks.

“Through this campaign, the Ministry aims to encourage residents to enjoy the festivities while making decisions that protect their health and wellbeing,” Dr Georges stated.

Think before acting

The campaign reminds the public that one bad decision can have lifelong consequences and encourages everyone to think before they act.

Key campaign messages include:

  • Wrap It Up Before You Wuk It Up.
  • Don't Drink and Drive.
  • Make Good Decisions.
  • P. A. C. E. Yourself and Hydrate
  • And don’t mix medicines with alcohol

Throughout the campaign, the Ministry will share educational messages, radio announcements, newsletters, social media content, and community outreach activities focused on reducing the spread of sexually transmitted infections, promoting responsible alcohol use, and encouraging safer behaviours during the festival season.

Use a condom

“We want to remind residents and visitors that condoms remain one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of HIV and many other sexually transmitted infections. We encourage sexually active individuals to use condoms consistently and correctly, know their sexual health status, communicate openly with their partners, and seek testing whenever necessary,” Dr Georges advised.

Festival patrons are also encouraged to designate a sober driver, avoid driving while impaired, pace themselves throughout the day, alternate alcoholic beverages with water, and never mix alcohol with prescribed antibiotics or other medications without first consulting a healthcare professional.

“We also want to remind the public that the protection of children remains everyone's responsibility. Adults are urged to make responsible decisions and are reminded that sexual activity involving persons under the age of 16 is unlawful. Individuals are encouraged to verify ages and respect personal boundaries at all times,” the Chief Medical Officer cautioned.

Free condoms are available at the Public Health Unit, located on the third floor of the Union Property Building.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development wishes everyone a safe, enjoyable, and memorable 72nd Emancipation Festival and encourages all residents and visitors to celebrate responsibly.

10 Responses to “'Wrap It Up' Campaign launched to promote safe festival practices”

  • (13/07/2026, 17:18) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    Good vibes
  • Wellsah (13/07/2026, 18:31) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    you wrong showing skin and feathers with this wrap it up campaign! that would be more coverage than some of the outfits
  • concerned citizen (13/07/2026, 22:56) Like (18) Dislike (8) Reply
    This vulgar picture is just nasty!!! There was never any naked behinds showing back in the day, when women made people respect them. Now they are giving out condoms freely to go along with free sex advertising. I am so heartbroken that our ancestors' respectful parades have turned into whoremongering, and the government allows it. These outfits do not represent our emancipation from slavery; they represent Sodom and Gomorrah, which is keeping us in mental slavery!!! We are showing we will accept any garbage from Lucifer, and our islands will suffer for this in the eyes of GOD! Just watch!
  • Marty Probasco (14/07/2026, 06:37) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    When you get comfortable with wutliss this is what happens.
    • El Demonio Negro (15/07/2026, 13:24) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
      Says the men and women who are shaped like GRIMACE from the McDonalds commercials.
  • Jesus Christ is Lord. (14/07/2026, 10:29) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    It is sad that even our healthcare professionals have convinced themselves that the use of condoms can solved the negative impact of low life standards during annual festival attractions in the British Virgin Islands.
    The vulgar display of sexual activities have degraded, even what was firstly inte ded to be freedom celebrations, equal to animals level behavior in our public street and in other locations in the B.V.I, as are so in other countries of this world for the love of money, and fleshly exotic pleasurous lustful motive of human minds.

    This comment is not meant to belittle the good intentions of our healthcare professionals and other health related workers, but the cure problem that has shown proof of degraded people that have lost their way, if in fact they knew it, is not hidden from sight for whoever will to see nakedness on our public streets in the name of good governance.
  • Strupes (14/07/2026, 11:09) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The repeated neglect of the BVI festival & fairs committee to address the customary nudity year after year is an embarrassment to the cultural heritage of the BVI. I no longer promote, post or attend Festival in the BVI out of shame. I invited some friends to enjoy it one year and they still teasing me about it all now. Half naked, unfit women parading through the streets. And this is not about body shaming. With cancer eating us alive some of us NEED to take our health more seriously! With men grinding their body parts on their bodies all over the women to the point where you have to look away from their "dancing" because it feels like they just having sex right in front of you. And we have conviced ourselves that this lewd behavior is in the name of culture?! Gone are the days where costumes told a story, while being fun. Every year we waste a set of money to "celebrate freedom from slavery", I have to wonder is it worth it? Would the dead that were beaten, shot, raped, boiled live, ripped apart limb by limb, hanged, burnt alive, starved, strangled, stripped naked and ridiculed in public think that how we celebrate their suffering was worth it. I think Eileene Parsons spoke for the modern heros like Noel Lloyd and the other when she said she was not in favor of the nudity. Where is our respect for self?? We are a small nation, certain things should be unique to us because we are all family. We need to reclaim our identity because we seem to just go with whatever. We are not Rio or Trinidad, we are BVI!!!
  • two (14/07/2026, 18:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Two parasite outbreaks are spreading, Cyclosporiasis: the explosive diarrhea illness, and Trypanosoma: the Kissing Bug. Just in time for festival. Cnnt make this up Best of luck out in the streets


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