“How much money do we allow for Covid-19?” Premier Andrew Fahie asked last Thursday during a press conference. “That, no one can answer. How much are we going to put …
Continue reading “Premier, governor trade jabs over Protocols”
May 28, 2020
May 28, 2020
Cops: 153 residents caught breaking curfew
Police have caught at least 153 people breaking the curfew since it was first imposed by government on March 27 to restrict residents’ movements and stymy the spread of Covid-19 …
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May 26, 2020
How to communicate in a pandemic
Circumstances have changed dramatically for Virgin Islands businesses in recent weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some may have gone from encouraging employees to work from home to shutting down …
May 24, 2020
Worship in the time of Covid-19
Sunday, May 10, was the first day leaders at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church were allowed to return to the sanctuary, and Pastor Dr. Michael Turnbull said their reunion …
May 22, 2020
What the opposition wants: an economic stimulus plan
The below list breaks down the main initiatives proposed this week by the opposition as an economic stimulus package to help the territory weather the coronavirus pandemic. 1. UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS …
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May 22, 2020
Opposition proposes stimulus package
Opposition members criticised the government on Monday for delaying an economic stimulus package and they proposed a plan of their own, but Premier Andrew Fahie clapped back the next day, …
May 21, 2020
Experts advise looking abroad for ideas on reopening
As the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean nations consider how to re-open their borders following the coronavirus pandemic, they could find helpful examples and cautionary tales in other island nations …
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May 21, 2020
Drop in Covid-19 numbers boosts the reopening
With only one confirmed case of Covid-19 still active in the Virgin Islands, residents are progressing toward a more familiar way of living in the territory. From her stand near …
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May 19, 2020
Sister islands hard hit by tourism closure
During a normal tourism season on Anegada, Liston Potter’s restaurant Potter’s by the Sea is a popular hangout. But like other hospitality businesses, it was shut down by the coronavirus …
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May 16, 2020
Stimulus rollout delayed further
After nearly two months of delays in launching a comprehensive economic stimulus package to help the territory through the coronavirus pandemic, Premier Andrew Fahie promised again on Tuesday afternoon that …
May 16, 2020
Guv: Fiscal protocols aren’t blocking Covid stimulus
Amid growing calls for a comprehensive economic stimulus package to help the territory weather the coronavirus pandemic, Premier Andrew Fahie has blamed the delays largely on the restrictions included in …
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May 14, 2020
Deputy premier confirms 8th Covid-19 case
Deputy Premier Carvin Malone announced Thursday evening that the Caribbean Public Health Agency confirmed an eighth case of Covid-19 in the Virgin Islands. The case is now the only active …
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May 14, 2020
Beaches and more businesses reopen
On Tuesday afternoon, Premier Andrew Fahie presided over his first coronavirus press conference since March 24, fielding questions from the media and reminding residents that “freedom” is in their “own …
May 14, 2020
The coronavirus response, behind the scenes
During the coronavirus pandemic, Virgin Islands residents have become accustomed to checking Facebook for live updates from Premier Andrew Fahie, Governor Gus Jaspert, and Deputy Premier Carvin Malone. The trio …
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May 13, 2020
Volunteers’ work is never done
Throughout the recent lockdown, the newly formed group HandsFree BVI distributed diapers, food and other aid to needy residents. But as the economy starts reopening, the volunteers’ work isn’t done. …
May 8, 2020
Beaches to open Sunday, but bars, hotels to stay closed
Beaches throughout the territory will reopen on Sunday, but large gatherings will continue to be prohibited, government leaders announced Friday during a live Facebook broadcast that included Premier Andrew Fahie, …
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May 7, 2020
7th Covid case logged, but curfew to ease
The Virgin Islands confirmed another case of Covid-19 on Tuesday as the territory continued to ease the restrictions that have shuttered the economy, expanding the list of businesses allowed to …
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May 6, 2020
EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered
On March 17, Premier Andrew Fahie and Deputy Premier Carvin Malone promised to keep the public informed about the coronavirus pandemic by holding weekly press conferences on the topic and …
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May 6, 2020
Branson offers Necker as collateral
Sir Richard Branson wants a $500 million bailout for Virgin Atlantic from the United Kingdom government, and after the request drew criticism he offered up Necker Island as collateral. “Over …
May 4, 2020
Coping with Covid-19 anxiety
A recent video chat about mental health started off with reassurances that feelings of anxiety are normal, and an invitation to virtually join the moderator in enjoying a calming mug …
May 4, 2020
77 businesses report 683 layoffs, but many more likely
As of Sunday, 77 businesses had responded to the government’s call to report personnel changes resulting from the recent economic restrictions enacted to curtail the spread of Covid-19 in the …
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May 4, 2020
‘I think I had it’: After cruise-ship calls, negative Covid test raises doubts
A Tortola resident tested negative for Covid-19 last month, but she strongly suspects she had the disease because of the symptoms she and two co-workers suffered after interacting with passengers …
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May 2, 2020
Recycling efforts redouble post lockdown
Throughout the lockdown, government ministers repeatedly encouraged residents to rinse, separate and store their recyclable items so they could be collected and processed once the curfew was lifted. The curfew …
May 1, 2020
Recent batch of Covid-19 samples test negative: Almost 130 tests taken in Virgin Islands
Nine samples that were recently tested for Covid-19 by the Caribbean Public Health Agency all came back negative, Premier Andrew Fahie said at a Friday press conference about a change …
May 1, 2020
Public sector to re-open Monday
Senior public officers are preparing this week for the reopening of the public service, which is slated for 8 a.m. on Monday. All offices of the public service will formally …