On Oct. 15, crowd-size restrictions were eased and the territory-wide curfew was completely lifted for the first time since the July spike in Covid-19 cases. “Cabinet met on Wednesday and …
October 26, 2021
October 15, 2021
New batch of vaccines arrives
An additional 2,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in the territory on Oct. 7 from the United Kingdom, ending the brief gap in availability from when the last batch …
October 15, 2021
Cruise ships return to Tortola
Stakeholders on Tortola rolled out the red carpet for cruise ship visitors this week for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, touting the territory’s readiness to receive …
September 17, 2021
Government blasted for ‘massive’ response on Covid grants
Though representatives for the Attorney General’s Chambers have repeatedly complained that the government lacks the time and resources to keep up with information requests from the Commission of Inquiry, Commissioner …
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August 27, 2021
Premier refuses to provide Cabinet info
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn sought a comprehensive list of Cabinet decisions during a recent House of Assembly sitting, but Premier Andrew Fahie declined to provide it, first claiming that it …
August 25, 2021
Demolition progresses at admin complex
Demolition and waterproofing work has progressed at the Ralph T. O’Neal Administration Complex this year despite complications caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye …
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
August Festival events postponed
Last year’s August Emancipation Festival was marked with a mashup of virtual and in-person events featuring live-streamed musical showcases and poetry competitions as well as small traditional markets and food …
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
Clerk: HOA was ‘overwhelmed’ with Covid applications
The Commission of Inquiry called House of Assembly Clerk Phyllis Evans to testify on July 14, asking her why incomplete applications for pandemic aid were accepted, how ministers decide who …
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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,” …
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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May 14, 2021
Mental Health Month tackles Covid-19
For Dr. Virginia Rubaine, Mental Health Month takes on added importance this year as the community struggles with the Covid-19 pandemic. “We’re going to be providing information about adapting after …
May 7, 2021
Fahie calls seaport opening a ‘success’
The recent seaport reopening has come with some “teething pains,” but it has been an overall success, Premier Andrew Fahie said on April 29 in the House of Assembly. Between …
April 22, 2021
New unemployment numbers released
In the latest update on how the pandemic has affected unemployment in the Virgin Islands, government said more than 14 percent of employees at businesses reporting to the Department of …
April 22, 2021
More students allowed on campus for final term
As students prepare for the final term of the 2020-21 school year, more of them will be permitted to attend class in person following recent decisions by Cabinet. But schools …
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April 6, 2021
EDITORIAL: Government should explain funeral case
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 …
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March 18, 2021
Premier mum on number of biz grants paid out
Premier Andrew Fahie still hasn’t said how many of 1,258 businesses approved for stimulus grants have received their cheques as part of a $6.5 million initiative launched last year to …
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March 18, 2021
Government saw $30 million revenue shortfall during 2020
Legislators have often discussed the financial hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but they hashed out some of the details during last week’s House of Assembly sitting. The territory was …
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March 16, 2021
EDITORIAL: Kudos to pandemic heroes
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 …
March 5, 2021
Border barges cost $360k per month
Though the Virgin Islands reopened to tourists at the start of December, the seaports remain closed to international travel, and government is continuing with measures to fortify border patrols. To …
March 5, 2021
Ports opening pushed with four days’ notice
The government isn’t equipped to monitor both the Covid-19 vaccination rollout and a long-promised sea border reopening, which therefore has been pushed back another 45 days to April 15, the …
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March 5, 2021
49th Spring Regatta postponed until 2022
The annual BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival has been pushed back for a second year due to complications arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, organisers announced Friday. “As much as …
February 26, 2021
Opposition leader calls for ‘stimulus 2.0’
As the first anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic approaches, Opposition Leader Marlon Penn recently highlighted a need for additional relief while addressing the pandemic, the tourism industry and other economic …
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