The Norwegian Gem is scheduled to call in Tortola on Oct. 7 carrying as many as 3,130 passengers, but the government still hasn’t unveiled the details of the protocols they …
September 18, 2021
September 1, 2021
COMMENTARY — Mandatory vaccines expected for some
Mandatory vaccination makes a significant cross-section of the general public uncomfortable. However, for the Virgin Islands to participate in the worldwide travel and tourism economy, the territory must achieve herd …
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August 20, 2021
EDITORIAL: Incentives a good bet to boost vaccine pace
We are greatly relieved that the number of active Covid-19 cases has fallen rapidly in recent weeks. But this good news has also brought a shadow of concern: Following a …
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August 13, 2021
All schools allowed to bring back students
The new academic year is fast approaching, and government announced this week that all private and public schools will be permitted to have students return for in-person instruction. The recent …
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August 7, 2021
New USVI-based health services chair approved
During an emergency meeting on July 29, the House of Assembly approved the appointment of a new BVI Health Services Authority Board chairman, Moleto Smith Jr., who is based in …
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July 30, 2021
Government drafts guidelines for Covid-19 burials
The Ministry of Health and Social Development has instituted new rules for burying people who have died with Covid-19. According to the guidelines, public viewings at churches, sanctuaries or funeral …
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July 30, 2021
Active Covid cases trend downward as deaths rise to 31
After sequencing 37 samples of Covid-19 from the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Public Health Agency did not detect the highly contagious delta variant that officials had suspected was to blame …
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July 26, 2021
Premier meets with UNDP representatives
Premier Andrew Fahie met virtually with United Nations Development Programme officials this month to discuss continued collaboration between the Virgin Islands and the UNDP on Covid-19 response, sustainable development, resilience …
July 26, 2021
EDITORIAL: Vaccine drive is a good move
The evidence is clear. Covid-19 vaccinations save lives, and they probably could have prevented most, if not all, of the tragic deaths from the disease the territory has seen so …
July 23, 2021
Government pushes vaccination drive as territory records 23 Covid-19 deaths
The Covid-19 outbreak in the Virgin Islands shows few signs of slowing down, with at least 19 people dead over the past nine days and health workers struggling to respond …
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July 16, 2021
Businesses fear labour shortage
Seeing the United States, including the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, experience a labour shortage as pandemic restrictions ease, businesses owners who spoke during a BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel …
July 13, 2021
‘Digital nomads’ bring millions to region through remote work
In the 10 months after the One Year Barbados visa for remote work launched, it processed some 2,500 applications, earned $6 million for government coffers, and raked in at least …
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July 12, 2021
VG graduation postponed amid Covid spike
The Bregado Flax Educational Centre’s Secondary Division postponed its graduation ceremony from July 2 to July 15 because of the Covid-19 outbreak. “Please note that in light of recent possible …
July 9, 2021
EDITORIAL: Outbreak is deadly, vaccinations urgent
With Covid-19 cases spiking to dramatic record highs in recent days, the territory is facing a national health emergency. To keep the community safe, everyone must work together. The first …
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July 8, 2021
After months of calm, Covid cases explode
Last week, the known active cases of Covid-19 in the Virgin Islands exploded to record highs, climbing from 13 on June 28 to 821 today as the outbreak spread into …
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July 8, 2021
First VI Day celebrated quietly
With Virgin Islandsthemed balloons decorating tables, the territorial song playing from speakers, tarts and guavaberry rum being shared, and employees sporting T-shirts with popular sayings like “One hand can’t clap,” …
July 8, 2021
EDITORIAL: Big up the auditor general for stimulus report
We have reported extensively about the injustice and egregious lack of transparency surrounding the government’s Covid-19 economic stimulus package. The reality, it seems, is even worse than we thought. Our …
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July 1, 2021
Active Covid-19 cases in the Virgin Islands jump to 13
On Monday, government reported 13 known active cases of Covid-19, up from two on June 15, and contact tracing efforts got under way even as officials prepared to welcome the …
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June 25, 2021
EDITORIAL: Class of 2021 overcame many challenges
Kudos to all of the season’s graduates. They have survived three tumultuous school years, and now they are walking the stage into a time of remarkable uncertainty. The good news …
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June 17, 2021
Quarantine lifted for vaccinated travellers
As the flow of visitors into the Virgin Islands continues to grow, Premier Andrew Fahie announced on Tuesday that fully vaccinated people will now be able to enter the territory …
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June 10, 2021
In inquiry, ex-top cop Matthews slams barge plan
During a hearing before the Commission of Inquiry last month, former Police Commissioner Michael Matthews slammed the government’s decision to rent three barges to help patrol the territory’s borders in …
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June 10, 2021
Cruise bubble plans unclear ahead of ships return
As Covid-19 spread across the Western Hemisphere in the spring of 2020, cruise ships that had been traversing the world’s seas were forced to anchor, leaving the Virgin Islands and …
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June 7, 2021
Stimulus recipients urged to disclose spending info soon
Residents who received cheques from the government through certain economic stimulus initiatives should quickly report how they spent the money, Premier Andrew Fahie said last week. “I want to remind …
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June 4, 2021
Vaccine drive urgent as doses set to expire
With the Virgin Islands’ supply of Covid-19 vaccines set to expire at the end of July, health officials on Tuesday announced that they are reducing the recommended interval between doses …
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June 4, 2021
COI grills premier, staff over alleged missing info
Claiming that initial requests for government documents came up short, the Commission of Inquiry grilled Premier Andrew Fahie and his staff last month about contracts awarded to consultant Claude Skelton-Cline …
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