Banning cruise ships ‘a hard one’- Taxi driver
"Tough times call for tough decisions and that is what is happening," a taxi driver from Virgin Gorda related to Virgin Islands News Online on Saturday, March 14, 2020 following a meeting with taxi and livery operators and Government Ministers led by Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) in Jost van Dyke Room at Maria’s by the Sea.
The meeting also included vendors of Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park and Craft Alive and was called to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism industry.
One taxi operator, who reached out to our newsroom, described the temporary discontinuation of cruise ships to the territory as "a hard one."
He added; however, "This is a situation of our health above making money. We know that government cannot compensate us fully for this dent in our pockets but this is a time we will have to be each other's keepers."
Gun Creek ‘wide open’
But while a number of taxi operators have expressed they had no choice but to agree with the closing the Territory to cruise ships, they still have issues with other boaters.
Requesting not to be named, a Virgin Gorda taxi driver said he has a serious concern about boaters breaching immigration especially at Gun Creek.
"Gun Creek is wide open, wide open like Mary at the Sepulcher and that is one area. Right now, even before all of this, I have publicly expressed concern. There are people out there who care only about themselves and will continue to do their own thing and disregard our laws as they have been doing all along so it looks right to them."
The concerned man called on government to increase policing of the waters “if the BVI is to remain one of the countries to escape this demon Coronavirus."
The man also called on politicians to put politics aside and unite on a common front to face the issues brought on by the global pandemic.
“No time for party, we have to and must fight this together."
18 Responses to “Banning cruise ships ‘a hard one’- Taxi driver”
It’s not them alone feeling it what about the Pier Park ? All those stores etc
This is the right move and most countries locking down anyways eventually cruises would have stopped or slowed then we in something way bigger than irmaria ....
Now is time to fasten our belts eat little live longer
Pray ppl pray ...