"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
The government should explain in detail the circumstances that led to funeral-goers being exposed to Covid-19 last month in a potential super-spreader event even as the territory apparently jumped from …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government should explain funeral case”
March 11 marked the first anniversary of the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought a year of extraordinary challenges for this territory and the rest of …
We were encouraged to hear Premier Andrew Fahie say last month that his government plans to turn its attention to governance reforms starting at this week’s House of Assembly meeting. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Now, governance reform is more urgent than ever”
Vaccination is a very personal choice, but it has ramifications for all of society. We therefore urge all residents who feel comfortable taking the Covid-19 vaccine to get the shot …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Vaccines are the way out of Covid”
We welcome Governor John Rankin, who takes office at a time when the territory’s relationship with the United Kingdom is as strained as it has been in recent memory. He …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A memo for Governor John Rankin”
With a monumental task to complete in only six months, the commission of inquiry must devise a tightly focused strategy for shining its powerful spotlight into the dark corners of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Inquiry will need a tightly focused strategy”
Monday was a dark day for the Virgin Islands, with the United Kingdom flexing its colonial muscle and announcing a wide-ranging corruption inquiry in the territory. However, we are sad …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Unfortunately, the corruption inquiry is needed”
Kudos to the government for finally reforming the territory’s public holidays to better accord with the Virgin Islands’ own history and culture. The changes unveiled last month are comprehensive and …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Public holiday reforms a cause for celebration”
Following the struggles of the past year, we know we’re not alone in wishing for a much brighter 2021. The following is our list of a few ways to help …
The end is in sight. As an exceedingly difficult year winds down, we hope the Virgin Islands will use this holiday season to reflect on the lessons of 2020 while …
In recent weeks, there has been much debate about the border reopening that got under way last week, but now everyone must work together to achieve success as tourism returns. …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: As borders reopen, better safe than sorry”
This Culture and Tourism Month has been a great success, and we hope that such celebrations will continue and expand into a long-term renaissance of Virgin Islands heritage. Events held …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Virgin Islands should celebrate culture every month”
The recent discovery of the largest cocaine stash in the territory’s history is an appalling wake-up call for the Virgin Islands. Clearly, something is very wrong. The drugs — which …
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Change has come to the United States, and as usual this means change has come to the rest of the world as well. The election of Joe Biden and Kamala …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: A new day in the US — and the Caribbean”
At a time when thousands of Virgin Islands residents are unemployed or otherwise struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are disturbed by the government’s failure to adequately account for …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government’s silence on stimulus is deafening”
Premier Andrew Fahie is right that the territory should proceed slowly and cautiously when restarting tourism, but his government’s abysmal communication surrounding the Dec. 1 reopening has needlessly exacerbated a …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Communication failure marred tourism reopening”
As the Virgin Islands prepares for a constitutional review, Premier Andrew Fahie should stop picking petty fights with the United Kingdom. Instead, he should use diplomacy to lay the groundwork …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Sniping at the UK is not the way toward independence”
The government is right to use caution when reopening the borders during the pandemic, but we are glad that leaders have finally announced a plan to allow the return of …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government right to reopen borders to expats”
At a time when the Virgin Islands’ relationship with the United Kingdom is increasingly unpredictable and fraught with tensions, we are glad that the government is launching the long-promised constitutional …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Coming constitutional review should look to independence”
Kudos to the government for working closely with the opposition to finally pass consumer protection legislation, which Virgin Islands leaders have been promising for more than three decades. The achievement …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Consumer Protection Act is a big win”
After months of delays, in late May the government finally unveiled a comprehensive economic stimulus package designed to help the territory through the coronavirus pandemic. We are glad that leaders …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The good, bad and ugly of the economic stimulus”
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, government leaders are promising to extend the three-month maximum for “temporary” layoffs permitted under their interpretation of the 2010 Labour Code. Though they have …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: System of ‘temporary layoffs’ needs reform”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Press conferences needed as Covid questions go unanswered”
Recent warning signs suggest that the Virgin Islands is now seeing local transmission of Covid-19, which could mean that the highly contagious disease is much more widespread here than previously …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Government must expand testing; fix and extend lockdown”
The government deserves kudos for the early implementation of strict measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, but we were disheartened by the poorly planned curfew transition that predictably drew uncontrolled …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Recent lockdown mistakes must serve as a lesson”
