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‘Your turn will come’- Premier to businesses not allowed to reopen yet

Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has issued a warning to owners of businesses who are not yet allowed to open, to abide by the law. Photo: GIS/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie urged all to adhere to the various guidelines and regulations, 'because deviating from them can undo all the progress we have made.' Photo: VINO/File
Premier Andrew A. Fahie urged all to adhere to the various guidelines and regulations, 'because deviating from them can undo all the progress we have made.' Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in an evening address to the nation on Sunday, April 26, 2020, has issued a warning to owners of businesses who are not yet allowed to open, to abide by the law.

He said, while the urge to open up will be present, every business place in time will be allowed to reopen.

“Let us not be too hasty to push the envelope with COVID-19. This is a phased reopening. We have to start with some businesses and then expand, in a systematic way over time, based on the progress that we make and based on how the international situation evolves,” He said.

The Premier continued: “For some whose businesses are not yet cleared for opening, I know it must be difficult, and I know the temptation will be there to take chances. But do not go down that road. Your turn will come soon enough – and it will be sooner once we are all working together and abiding with the rules.”

Let's not undo the progress made

He urged all to adhere to the various guidelines and regulations “because deviating from them can undo all the progress we have made.”

 “Let us continue to further limit the impact of COVID-19 on the Territory and all of us. Let us continue to work together because this is the only way to overcome COVID-19,” he reasoned.

He said residents must use masks when leaving their homes that covers their nose and mouth area properly, remain six feet apart, wash hands regularly, etcetera.  

“We have done a good job leading up to this moment, and I know we will steer the course in the days and weeks ahead. I look forward to a successful first phase of the reopening of business, and the timely graduation to phase two in the not-too-distant future,” he noted.

From today at 6:00am until 1:00pm, persons will be allowed to leave their homes to conduct business for the next 14 days.

This partial curfew comes following weeks of lockdown to minimise the spread of the virus.

There has been one confirmed death and a total of six confirmed cases of the virus in the Virgin Islands.

3 of the persons infected have since recovered.

29 Responses to “‘Your turn will come’- Premier to businesses not allowed to reopen yet”

  • tretretrete (27/04/2020, 12:01) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    This virus is community spread we don’t need to much over crowding
    • No (27/04/2020, 13:26) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      May his grace shine upon you and over power your hate
    • to hmmm (27/04/2020, 16:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      The virus brought out a lot of hate and bitterness from many...oh and ignorance also. Someone posted a pic of 2 individuals walking on the beach and you wouldn't like to see the comments under the lady post...who wasn't calling her a snitch was telling her to mind her own business SMH If only the virus was targeting the ignorant and bitter folks...oh well.....
  • trrefdrfds (27/04/2020, 12:26) Like (1) Dislike (38) Reply
    Them lil business don’t need to open that them island people own
    • wise up (27/04/2020, 13:00) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
      Guess the virus don’t get to infect them island people too,hopefully u alone get infected
    • Educate yourself (27/04/2020, 13:29) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
      Your level of literacy shows in your commenting. Maybe you can use your energy and free time to major in something that you can actually benefit from and maybe uplift you as a person. Economics maybe? Atleast to help you understand how the global economy works. Whether you’re from that particular country or elsewhere, revenue matters. So yea, allow ONLY island people businesses open When the majority of business people bringing money into little Tortola are from so called ‘down island’ and see your country prosper. Smh idiot!
    • One eye shark (27/04/2020, 14:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      TRUTH I ONLY HOPE WHEN YOU SPEAK YOUR HATE ABOUT ISLAND PEOPLE LE IT BE KNOW THAT YOU DONT NOT SPEAK FOR THE MAJOURITYOF PERSONS LIVING ON THESE ISLAND YOU NEED A LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY AND WHEN YOUR ARE FINISH YOUR LESSON HOPE YOUR NOT TOO DUMB TO UNDERSTAND THAT AN ISLAND IS SURROUNDED BY WATER YOU ISLAND IDIOT.
  • Sellout (27/04/2020, 12:44) Like (7) Dislike (15) Reply
    Why that sellout don’t mention about those balloons that he allowed to fly over us and near us every now and again !? You very satanic, buh new regular and new order

    We got the app on our phone that literally shows us these 5G balloons
  • facts (27/04/2020, 12:56) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Premier you are doing a great job end of story
    • At Facts. I use to thinks..so (27/04/2020, 14:28) Like (5) Dislike (18) Reply
      He started off great but he is over doing it... This is now excessive.. Some say protecting us... protecting us from what .... and why we cant protect ourselves..locking down hard working healthy people...The people czn protect themselves, give them the chance to do it....
  • Sad State (27/04/2020, 13:26) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am sure there was no clarence for restaurant and bars to be open. Some playing they cant hear. They can't speak English they never heard the announcement. Their friend never told them all these lame excuses they will come up with when caught with their doors open and people congrats there are there smiling. But it is clear they heard the curfew finishes at 6AM that they heard. For as the minute turn their doors swang open. Time the law deal with them its disgusting. All the time them not listening the laws of the land need to send a clear message. This territory is in a sad state it appears the bvi is a fresh for all. Do what you want and it's all right. They know better but dont care about our laws.
  • Sad State (27/04/2020, 13:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am sure there was no clarence for restaurant and bars to be open. Some playing they cant hear. They can't speak English they never heard the announcement. Their friend never told them all these lame excuses they will come up with when caught with their doors open and people congrats there are there smiling. But it is clear they heard the curfew finishes at 6AM that they heard. For as the minute turn their doors swang open. Time the law deal with them its disgusting. All the time them not listening the laws of the land need to send a clear message. This territory is in a sad state it appears the bvi is a fresh for all. Do what you want and it's all right. They know better but dont care about our laws.
  • We in Trouble.. (27/04/2020, 14:03) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
    Since these lock downs and curfews only one set of businesses been making money.. Plenty of it....Hope when u ready to open the little mom and Pop shops u will ask those big super markets to close so the mom and pops can make something... serious..
    • At we in trouble..IHU (27/04/2020, 15:50) Like (1) Dislike (4) Reply
      Just ask the Supermarkets to stop selling cook food when the other restaurants open up, so the restaurants can get some business, the lease he can do.... These super markets been making millions while everything else been shut down...
      • agreed (28/04/2020, 07:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        You hit t right! The super markets can sell cooked food and alcohol but you kill the restaurants and say they cannot open. Hmmm, that seem fair to everyone? Sell your main stuff, but do not add insult to injury.
  • Feel N Sad. (27/04/2020, 14:16) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    Not hearing no optimism and Empathy coming from our leaders..Just fear and control....A few been getting really rich since this stupidness...Cant be right in God sight...
  • T (27/04/2020, 14:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ truth u need to change d topic now u sound so striped have u lesion to your self u feel island people as say island people soon give you pressure go ahead me ah warnan or u
  • Feel N Sad. (27/04/2020, 14:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Not hearing no optimism and Empathy coming from our leaders..Just fear and control....A few been getting really rich since this stupidness...Cant be right in God sight...While the masses suffer.. Cant be right in God Sight...
  • O Boy.. Nuff to learn... (27/04/2020, 14:47) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    These billionaires playing the world... First.. Bill Gates create and earn WHO " World health organization"..U kno who made the most money for the last 3 months..Steve Jobbs ..Apple brand. High performance product....Do u kno apple need the support of microsoft , thats bill gates. So together they making billions. Apple needed fast speed to msximize its product potential ..things to learn.. Who was the first one to talk about this virus .. Bill Gates...i guess he was the first one WHO " world health organiztion nformed.. Add all these together the 5G theory making sense.. .
  • Tired (27/04/2020, 15:06) Like (4) Dislike (29) Reply
    I think letting restaurants , bars opening 10am to 8pm would be great ! Just think of all that revenue that could be taxed. Employee wage taxes... the list just keeps growing. Oh hell just OPEN
  • all i c (27/04/2020, 15:08) Like (3) Dislike (9) Reply
    The small businesses were killed by the vip government
  • trrefdrfds (27/04/2020, 15:09) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    The handling of COVID-19 around the globe is laughable because the virus isn't going away and at some point countries will re-open borders and in comes the virus again. They said the earliest a vaccine would be available is 18 months and add to that, many people will not take this vaccine. Are we going to live like this for 18 months and expect the economy not to slip into never land? I would have thought that emphasis would be placed on building up the healthcare system to handle cases as and when they arise. Locking people down for weeks at a time then chastising them for coming out in numbers once given the opportunity to get out again seems like a very sick and wicked experiment.
  • west end (27/04/2020, 15:13) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    This West End wants Omar’s open. Both businesses ! All of us belongers, expats, whitey tourist stuck here, OPEN OMAR’S. Please
    • pinky (27/04/2020, 16:50) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      we need to wake up, we not even tested one percent of our population, don’t you guys read all the deaths every day on the news... this is not normal. Please test all these people that are passing away and test the front line workers. I’m believe we have the ability now after recovering kits from the Uk so what are we waiting for.
      We have many citizens her who don’t care and won’t until it’s one if there family they are burying.
  • For 2 full months (27/04/2020, 15:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply

    One set of business making all the money..

  • guy hill (27/04/2020, 17:32) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    No one is above the law. Let's act and be seen to be acting, within the legal aspects of the law of the land. Self respect goes a long way. This is ours to protect, let's do just that.
  • Real Tired (27/04/2020, 18:14) Like (7) Dislike (26) Reply
    Premier, small business owners have been calm, but this has gone too far. There’s no certainty when we will make money again! I hope and pray that you have a plan soon with a shorter curfew period. Allow us to hustle, before we have more economic effects affecting our businesses.
  • legal team (27/04/2020, 20:24) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I support the premier.
  • oh boy (28/04/2020, 00:13) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My concern is not hearing anything about the cancellation of festival. I will really like to see if money is ALL for you all. But all i know that the best thing to be done about this festival is to cancell it.
    MONEY IS NOT ALL AND THERE WILL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER TIME FOR GOD SAKE.


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