An old adage proclaims, “When the United States sneezes, the world catches a cold.” As the country heads into a presidential election next Tuesday amid the Covid-19 pandemic, that wisdom …
Reopening plan sparks outcry, cancellations
Premier Andrew Fahie on Monday announced the official protocols for tourists to enter the Virgin Islands, which include four rounds of testing for Covid-19, four days of quarantine within approved …
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Some students return to school this week
Incremental steps allowing students to return to their classrooms began Monday with kindergarteners, first graders and second graders. The Cabinet decision was announced on Oct. 21 by Deputy Premier Dr. …
New school, ATM coming to Jost Van Dyke soon
A “hillside” site has been chosen for a new Jost Van Dyke Primary School, Deputy Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said last week when all nine elected government representatives visited …
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Stimulus status unclear as residents cry for help
On May 28, Premier Andrew Fahie unveiled a long-awaited stimulus package after two and a half months of promises and delays, outlining $62.9 million worth of spending designed to help …
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Amid questions, tourism industry prepares for reopening
With a new tourism season set to start on Dec. 1, hotels are outfitting rooms, boats are getting back on the water, restaurants are stocking up, and many other businesses …
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Stakeholders debate bubble tourism, quarantine rules
During a series of closed-door stakeholder meetings hosted by the BVI Tourist Board over the past week, business owners in the tourism sectors of small hotels, transportation and tour operations …
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Chamber releases protocols government rejected
Rebuffed by government, a task force from the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association released last week a comprehensive set of guidelines in an effort to help business owners …
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Draft reopening protocols complete but not public
With less than seven weeks until the Virgin Islands’ borders are set to reopen to non-residents for the first time since late March, government has launched a series of meetings …
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HOA reviews Vanterpool business deals
During the 24-hour daily curfew in the spring, some households began running out of food, so government organised the distribution of relief supplies packed by volunteers throughout the territory. Last …
ANALYSIS: Six months into Covid-19, uncertainty remains
Six months have passed since the first two cases of Covid-19 were announced in the Virgin Islands on March 25, and government decisions to control the virus have been met …
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78 percent of CXC exams written earn passing grade
Though they faced unprecedented challenges caused first by Hurricane Irma and then by the Covid-19 pandemic, a total of 358 students in the Virgin Islands registered for at least one …
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Homeward bound: Volunteers help send pets to US
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and effectively shut down the tourism industry, many unemployed expatriates were compelled to leave the Virgin Islands. But because of restrictions on the limited number …
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$4.4m paid in unemployment, Wheatley says
The government’s $10 million Unemployment Relief Fund has benefitted 3,457 people to the tune of $4,366,488, with 2,117 claims denied and 2,072 new ones still processing as of last Thursday, …
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Borders to open to tourism on Dec. 1
Pink flamingos and flourishing reefs were among the scenes in a video premiere launching “BVI Love,” a marketing campaign geared toward bringing tourism back to the territory on Dec. 1. …
EDITORIAL: Without equal opportunities, students will be left behind
As most students head back to school facing the prospect of learning from home for the rest of the year, many of them are in grave danger of being left …
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Labour: Work permits to be processed online
Government has tried to be flexible as residents have navigated the challenges of living and working amid the Covid-19 pandemic, from uncertain job prospects to difficulties securing flights to home …
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1,039 businesses qualify for grants
Government announced Monday that 1,039 businesses will receive funds under the $6.5 million Small Business Sector Grant Programme, and 10 others will benefit from a $40,000 United Nations Development Programme …
Curfew relaxed as Covid reports slow
With just five new cases of Covid-19 announced over the past week, Cabinet decided to issue a relaxed curfew order that took effect yesterday, allowing most businesses to open and …
Local tours boom during pandemic
Shortly before leading a group of hikers into the bush at Brewers Bay, Mervin Hastings stood in front of sugar mill ruins and debunked the myth that the island of …
Bermuda governor to succeed Jaspert
Governor Gus Jaspert, who has served the Virgin Islands for just over three years, announced today that current Bermuda Governor John Rankin will take his place at the start of …
Covid curbs booming business recovery
When Hurricane Irma hit the territory three years ago, John Klein had been in the process of expanding his Jost Van Dyke property White Bay Villas. “The only reason we …
Latest batch of Covid tests return
Following hundreds of Covid-19 tests that skyrocketed the Virgin Islands’ tally of confirmed cases over the past three weeks, government announced on Tuesday that 111 people had all tested negative …