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Tourists can be COVID-19 tested & isolated on boats – Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool

- proposes re-opening strategy where tourists are placed into quarantine bubbles
Boats sitting in VI’s waters can be used as quarantine facilities according to Medical Doctor and Businessman, Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool who suggested that the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) find innovative ways to quarantine tourists while opening up the economy. Photo: VINO/File
Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool said that the idea of a quarantine bubble for tourists is one that can utilize the hundreds of boats sitting in VI’s waters across the territory. Photo: Google Maps
Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool said that the idea of a quarantine bubble for tourists is one that can utilize the hundreds of boats sitting in VI’s waters across the territory. Photo: Google Maps
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Boats sitting in VI’s waters can be used as quarantine facilities, according to medical doctor and businessman, Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool, who suggested that the Government of the Virgin Islands (VI) finds innovative ways to quarantine tourists while opening up the economy.

Dr Vanterpool made the comments on the Wednesday, October 28, 2020, special edition of the Honestly Speaking radio show with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline.

Utilize boats for isolation – Dr Vanterpool

“I look down from my house and I see, estimate maybe 300 boats… if you brought in a family or a group of tourists who were tested negative on the way coming in, and then we did an initial test I am of the feeling, well can we put those patients straight onto the boat instead of making them stay in a hotel?”

Dr Vanterpool said that the idea of a quarantine bubble for tourists is one that can utilise the hundreds of boats sitting in VI’s waters across the territory.

“A catamaran can hold about 8 or 12 people, 8 can sleep comfortably typically on four double beds…why can't those people go straight to the boat? They don't have to interact with the local people to a great degree because they can order their supplies online, they don't have to go to the supermarkets.”

He continued, “they go out into the sea, so it has the best open-air they have, they will come off on islands to go to restaurants etc, but maybe you limit that side of it… you can go to the beach not in huge crowds clearly.”

Medical team can test later on visit  - Dr Vanterpool

Dr Vanterpool said at some point in the trip, perhaps on the fifth day, local medical professionals can meet with the tourists and do another quarantine test then keep the vacation going since the results will take a while.

“In the meanwhile that particular group of people is in their own bubble on a catamaran, on a boat… so I believe that rather than force people to stay in a hotel for four or five days… get the people on the boat and let them go,” he said. 

A similar strategy was employed by the NBA via the establishment of a large isolation zone also known as the Disney Bubble to protect its players from COVID-19 during the final eight games of the 2019–20 regular season and throughout the 2020 NBA playoffs.

According to Dr Vanterpool, tourists in the VI must also be able to follow rules and realise they're not supposed to be in crowded places such as beaches while in their isolation bubble.

22 Responses to “Tourists can be COVID-19 tested & isolated on boats – Dr Heskith A. Vanterpool”

  • hmm (03/11/2020, 11:22) Like (26) Dislike (4) Reply
    This makes too much sense Doc. This is more about power tripping and cash grabbing than health.
  • hmm (03/11/2020, 11:28) Like (21) Dislike (5) Reply
    Yoooooo we the small man been saying this long time, well I guess they will listen to u DR. Same time moorings make some money and the supermarkets let them vacation at sea tour the place for 14 days
  • Government don't even think that way (03/11/2020, 11:58) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    When it have a hundred yatch beef island 50 in road town 150 wite Bay jost Van dyke 20 great harbor jost Van dyke 5 norman island etc who is going to keep an eye on all these boats to make sure no one run off in a dingy
  • Hmm (03/11/2020, 12:13) Like (10) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is actually a good idea. .. If tourists wish to vacation here in the BVI, we can allow them to utilize the boats for a set package/deal. They are free to sail to the different islands, but just remain on the boat/beach in less crowds and have food from restaurants be brought to them. Just have to figure out a way to ensure that we keep track of the whereabouts and enforce social distance policies. One way to capitalize the BVI's tourist industry but keep safe. Make money.
    • small island (03/11/2020, 17:41) Like (22) Dislike (2) Reply
      It would be easy to have them check in with the charter company as they go ashore; return; etc. so that contact tracing can be done if necessary.
  • CHAK. (03/11/2020, 12:22) Like (23) Dislike (28) Reply
    Premier don't change any thing, this peoples just thinking about money
  • Ghost (03/11/2020, 12:52) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    This all sound good, however I would say have the boats not leave the shore for if they do what control do we have to ensure that the boat is not hooked up on some mooring and a dinghy is used to go ashore to access services when they are supposed to be quarantining.. this suggestion needs to be given further thought to ensure the safety of all persons.. just as all locals don’t comply with the protective measures what make us think that all tourists will comply.. I say until they are fully cleared DONOT let that vessel leave port for then we really have no control of what happens next .. (before anyone criticize what I’m saying, take a moment to hear and understand what I’m trying to say)..
    • outside of the box (03/11/2020, 15:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Does these boats not have GPS and if these monitor bracelets that are used for years to keep people on house arrest being able to provide the service it was meant to why cant it work now . I really wonder if people cant think outside of the box
  • 3 days quarantine a must in a hotel (03/11/2020, 13:28) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tourist coming to stay Less than 15 days must have 3 days quarantine for the results of arriving test to be known in a hotel... For visitors or residents spending more than 15 days must have 7 days quarantine... The First 3 days must be in a hotel after 3 days Residents and sailors be transfer to their homes and boats for remaining four days to Quarantine with the app and bracelets.... Don't Agree with sailors going straight to their boats without knowing the results of their arrival test results....
  • TOP ACCOUNT (03/11/2020, 13:58) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    PREMIER DO NOT GO BT ALL THE COMMENTS THAT IS OFFERED YOU KNOW WHAT IS BEST TO DO SOME OF THEM JUST LOOKING AT MONEY AND HOW THEY CAN GET IT DO NOT STUDY THE DOCK HE SAYING THINGS THAT WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS PEOPLE CAN RUN TO HIS BUSINESS TO BE TREATED A REAL CLECER DOCTOR PREMIER DO THE RIGHT THING QUQRINTINE THE BVI IS DOING GOOD
  • PT009 (03/11/2020, 14:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Government don't even think that way: You don't know what you are talking about, for one White Bay Jost Van Dyke can't hold 150 boats. The boats can be regulated so you can keep an eye on them.
  • hmm (03/11/2020, 14:34) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Heskith hurting pocket got him thinking in overdrive ...
    I wonder if he was alright but another man hurting would he have come up with ideas?

    But that is the way the cookie crumbles ...
  • all clear bracelet (03/11/2020, 15:49) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    once you are given the all clear you get another bracelet which you must wear identifying you as free to go wherever and must turn it in on departure failure to do so has a penalty $$$. restaurant can't serve you with out it must have it to go into shops ...etc
  • visitor (03/11/2020, 17:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am planning a trip to the VI's, i am also coming from a green zone Island , where at present we have no covid case. if I however have to come to your island and has to be quarantine on a boat, i certainly would not!!!!!! you guys can do better than that.... my advise if you want to utilize your boat, please let persons have a choice, where is the hotel, or small guess house? come on, you're telling me 3000.00 plus dollars.... not in this world!!!

    For the ppl who are discriminating the people who are not from your Island, Please you need to stop: this does not look good for you island, its not that nice I have been to better: your behavior is no better than trump!!!! smh
    you guys make me sick.
    • @visitor (03/11/2020, 18:45) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Your mind is already made up with your negative assumptions before you even reach. The best thing is for you to go to where you know is better than the BVI. Your extra dollars can go elsewhere that you will be happy.
  • The TRUTH (03/11/2020, 19:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think this pandemic has proven that grown adults can't be trusted to discipline themselves.
  • dr vanterpool (03/11/2020, 22:29) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    so what happens to the crew that deals with the visitors. the visitors will leave this territory however the crew will be here mixing with the residents
  • Anegada people (04/11/2020, 03:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Do not do it Hon. A Fahie please. The Sister Islands will be doomed and since we depend on the main island, so will you all. The same captain and crew of these charters will come ashore and if infected will infect us
    No deal doc
  • hmm (04/11/2020, 19:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Quarantine on boat?? You all have to be crazy to believe these people are going to remain onboard. They don't even obey the laws where they come from my h less here where they believe you are inferior
  • de pub (05/11/2020, 09:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Use Conch charters boats... the ones you see from your palace


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