April 1, 2020
April 1, 2020
COMMENTARY — Call made to start considering a post-virus economic strategy
The Caribbean is about to experience a crisis of a kind that no one in the region or anywhere else in the world could have predicted. The COVID-19 coronavirus, which …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Call made to start considering a post-virus economic strategy”
March 31, 2020
Financial services adapt to ‘social distancing’
For financial services firms now compelled to conduct most or all of their business virtually due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the Virgin Islands is an ideal place to do …
Continue reading “Financial services adapt to ‘social distancing’”
March 31, 2020
EDITORIAL: Economic stimulus package needed now
As the coronavirus pandemic reaches these shores and the economy tanks here and abroad, we were glad to hear Premier Andrew Fahie promise last week that his government plans to …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Economic stimulus package needed now”
March 27, 2020
Layoffs loom after border closure
The sudden shutdown of the tourism industry and other businesses in the Virgin Islands due to the coronavirus pandemic — coupled with global economic concerns — is leaving employees with …
March 27, 2020
Government to inject $2 million into farming, fishing
Amid concern about the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Cabinet on Friday, March 20, approved a $2 million economic stimulus package for fishing and farming in the Virgin …
Continue reading “Government to inject $2 million into farming, fishing”
March 26, 2020
With schools closed, learning goes online
While government has ordered all of the territory’s schools and daycares to close until at least April 20, students will bring their learning home by using various online instruction platforms, …
Continue reading “With schools closed, learning goes online”
March 26, 2020
UK promises medical support during pandemic
Officials from the United Kingdom have said that the UK is procuring medical equipment and support for each of its overseas territories, including the Virgin Islands, during the coronavirus pandemic. …
Continue reading “UK promises medical support during pandemic”
March 26, 2020
Banks roll out flexible payments, safety measures
Virgin Islands banks are taking “proactive steps” to help customers struggling through the global coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement issued Friday by the seven-member BVI Bank Association. This might …
Continue reading “Banks roll out flexible payments, safety measures”
March 26, 2020
Innovation helps entrepreneurs stay afloat despite COVID-19
“I think home-cooked meals is the key,” Chef Fiona O’Connor said as she selected a sealed meal pack from a table brimming with a rainbow of cuisine. The smell of …
Continue reading “Innovation helps entrepreneurs stay afloat despite COVID-19”
March 26, 2020
Coronavirus confirmed in the Virgin Islands, curfew in effect
The government announced the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in the Virgin Islands yesterday as nearly 5,000 viewers tuned in to a Facebook livestream. Hours later, a territory-wide …
Continue reading “Coronavirus confirmed in the Virgin Islands, curfew in effect”
March 25, 2020
March 25, 2020
COMMENTARY — Major recession seen on horizon
The United States stock exchange has dropped into bear market territory. There has been a sustained downturn in the US stock market for the first time since Donald Trump became …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Major recession seen on horizon”
March 24, 2020
Quarantined: Business editor recounts journey back to VI
When I left the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, March 11 for a short trip to Austin, Texas, things seemed mostly like business as usual. A brief COVID-19 scare in the …
Continue reading “Quarantined: Business editor recounts journey back to VI”
March 23, 2020
EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street
Until March 17 the government had begun falling behind in its duty to keep the public informed about COVID-19 in the territory, but it took important steps that day when …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street”
March 20, 2020
Tortola travellers took flight linked to COVID-19 cases
Though no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Virgin Islands, government officials here were working early this week to track down passengers who shared a plane from London …
Continue reading “Tortola travellers took flight linked to COVID-19 cases”
March 20, 2020
For many, new rules sting
As the government has rapidly rolled out new restrictions designed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus here, residents are taking actions to protect themselves but feeling the repercussions …
March 19, 2020
Businesses learn how to cope with virus
Hand sanitiser may be scarce on Virgin Islands store shelves, but public health personnel have a message for business owners seeking to protect staff and customers from contacting the deadly …
March 19, 2020
Days after cruise ship docked in VI, two passengers tested positive for COVID-19
Three days after the cruise ship Costa Favolosa docked in the Virgin Islands last week, two of its passengers tested positive for COVID-19, according to the French Regional Health Agency …
Continue reading “Days after cruise ship docked in VI, two passengers tested positive for COVID-19”
March 19, 2020
Opposition called for stronger response
The day before government ministers announced wide-ranging plans to ramp up the COVID-19 response, opposition members urged them to do just that. “We have to ensure that on every single …
March 18, 2020
COMMENTARY — Virus fallout expected to get worse
With the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, the best countries can do for now is to expect the worst but hope for the best. Thanks to the virus, United States and United …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Virus fallout expected to get worse”
March 18, 2020
March 16, 2020
EDITORIAL: As virus fallout arrives, leaders should look abroad
As the COVID-19 coronavirus spreads around the world, the Virgin Islands is already feeling the effects in a big way even though no cases have been confirmed here. Cruise ships …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: As virus fallout arrives, leaders should look abroad “
March 13, 2020
Pier Park braces in case of virus
On Tuesday at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, the doors of shops and restaurants were flung wide open to the roughly 4,000 passengers aboard the Disney Fantasy moored …
March 11, 2020
COVID-19 declared a pandemic
Though no cases of COVID-19 coronavirus have been confirmed in the Virgin Islands, government continues to take precautionary measures that include preparing a wing of the hospital as an isolation …
