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24hr lockdown if VI flouts new COVID-19 measures - Premier warns

- said decision is in hands of the people to follow rules
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has warned that if the Virgin Islands (VI) fail to adhere to the new COVID-19 measures including the new 1:01 pm to 5:00 am hard lockdown implemented to contain a spike of the virus, a 24/7 14-day lockdown will be immanent. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Citing economic, social and mental costs involved with a 24-hour full lockdown in BVI, Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert has said that Cabinet's decision to instead implement a hard lockdown was one to put additional hardship on individuals who are already facing a very challenging time. Photo: VINO/File
Citing economic, social and mental costs involved with a 24-hour full lockdown in BVI, Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert has said that Cabinet's decision to instead implement a hard lockdown was one to put additional hardship on individuals who are already facing a very challenging time. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has warned that if the Virgin Islands (VI) fails to adhere to the new COVID-19 measures, including the new 1:01 pm to 5:00 am hard lockdown implemented to contain a spike of the virus, a 24/7 14-day lockdown will be implemented.

Speaking at a September 1, 2020, COVID-19 update, Premier Fahie said, "If persons fail to adhere to all the further measures being put in place now to contain COVID-19, then, and only then, we will be forced to implement a 24-hour 14-day lockdown," he said. 

Decision in your hands - Hon Fahie 

"So my people the choice is yours, the choice is mine.. we can either adhere or we will have to bear the consequences" Hon Fahie further said in his statement. 

Citing economic, social and mental costs involved with a 24-hour full lockdown in the VI, Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert said Cabinet's decision to instead implement a hard lockdown was one to avoid putting additional hardship on individuals who are already facing a very challenging time.

Hon Fahie had repeatedly stated that the Territory could not afford another 24/7 lockdown, the latest coming via analysis on Sunday, August 9, 2020, in a statement entitled 'Economic Boost for the Virgin Islands on the Horizon: The Construction Industry'.

"An internal assessment has shown that if we end up in another Territory-wide lockdown, the money that we have for rebooting the economy will have to be used instead for social support. And when that is over, we will not have any money left to reboot the economy," the Premier had said.

Restricted movement, closed borders 

So far, the new COVID-19 guidelines have placed emphasis on restricting the moment of people through a curfew, restricting gatherings and strict border protection to prevent the illegal movement of people into the Territory. 

Approved businesses and organisations operating during the curfew are also expected to play their part to ensure staff and customers follow all COVID-19 measures such as physical distancing, sanitisation and the wearing of face masks. 

Authorities have confirmed 47 COVID-19 cases, with some 38 active currently as of September 1, 2020.

The majority of new cases in August is believed to have originated from human smuggling.

23 Responses to “24hr lockdown if VI flouts new COVID-19 measures - Premier warns”

  • .... (03/09/2020, 13:05) Like (11) Dislike (10) Reply
    24 hour lock down, and I won't pay any more taxes for the year at least.
  • Lord have mercy (03/09/2020, 13:09) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    So, No responsibilify for the law enforcers to enforce the law. They must just go home n sleep and leave the young irresponsible people do what they want, , then the responsible people pay....This is just picking another fight with the Governor to prove who is boss. ..Stop it..
  • hmm (03/09/2020, 13:14) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    All talk lol....not gonna do a thing
  • Hm.. (03/09/2020, 13:14) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
    The big boss with the big stick has spoken.. Do or get a beaten. That's it. Do or get a whipping...The family Dad.
  • pockwood pond (03/09/2020, 13:18) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hon Fahie I like your style yes LOCKDOWN if people does not hear or listern sorry for what people have to say but you have to do what needs to be done it is not about you it is about the country and the people keep thight security on people got to follow the rules if the lockdown comes it is not your decision alone the governer is in this too Look what happen last night Premier if you gotto lock down lock down try your best to clean up the country from the virus clean out all the holes and get the country back on a good fotting We love you andrew We love you and may God continue to bless the bvi and you
  • Mr. Premier (03/09/2020, 13:51) Like (28) Dislike (3) Reply
    You are the COMMANDER IN CHIEF, PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN AND DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO!!! AND STOP EXPLAINING AND TRYING TO APPEASE. I KNOW MARLON PENN AND MITCH TURNBULL IS AGAINST GOING ON LOCK DOWN. FORGET ABOUT THOSE TWO, THEY TALK THE TALK BUT FAIL WHEN IT COMES TO TAKE THE WALK. If you have to put us on lock down until the animals adhere and comply to the protocols, put them back in the cages until they get and understand how SERIOUS THIS VIRUS IS. THE COLD WEATHER IS COMMING AND THE VIRUS IS GOING TO become more active.
  • Done Start (03/09/2020, 14:15) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    People out and about without masks and up to today not one police vehicle I saw.

  • UK Navy (03/09/2020, 14:21) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes we would have no need for lockdown if we had secure boarders. We could do controlled tourism and a functioning marine sector.
  • Andrew “NWO” Fahie ! (03/09/2020, 14:26) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    We ain’t out the woods yet ! Until we get that damn vaccine !
  • Eagle Eye (03/09/2020, 14:54) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Looks as if bill Gates increase their pay checks
    • 1st District (04/09/2020, 05:30) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      THE BEST THING I EVER HEAR SINCE THIS CORONA DEBACLE. laughing to Mars and back!!
  • Message from the king (03/09/2020, 15:11) Like (8) Dislike (7) Reply
    You can threaten all you want, bottom line is you know we can’t afford it. Stop bluffing, we should’ve been locked down and you know it, now we about killing people in curfew or being killed, however you look at it, bvi is lawless, arrogant and delusional.
  • Wise Down (03/09/2020, 15:21) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    Why cant there be serious penalties for persons who fail to adhere? fine them $2000 or lets start placing fines under license or permit renewals if you dont want to jail them.
  • HMMM (03/09/2020, 15:40) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply

    So you will lock it down till covid pass?. People life must go on you just protect yours. See if you could lock down for 2 years. 

  • Ghost (03/09/2020, 16:04) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Hon. Premier I agree with you.. sadly the innocent would have to suffer for the foolish and irresponsible. But something have to work to slow the spread.. simple
  • sunnydays (03/09/2020, 16:11) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    PEOPLE REMEMBER THE PROMISE GIVEN THE PARTY IS ABOUT BEING TRANSPARENT DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO.
    I AM IN CHARGE NOT YOU THE PEOPLE
    SHOUT YOUR MOUTH STAY IN YOUR HOUSE AND BE QUITE.
  • Don Quixote (03/09/2020, 17:01) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
    THE PREMIER IS RIGHT
  • M (03/09/2020, 18:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    My my people are so disrespectful in this place it's a sham no respect for God or man
  • These comments (03/09/2020, 18:39) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    Reading these comments make me sick. I feel like so many people are so lazy and don’t want to leave their homes. We all have our life to maintain. For those who don’t work for government, we still need to get paid somehow. A full lockdown is counter productive. The police here are soft. Gatherings are now ok in the rest of the whole. You are in the containment phase of the virus. You are protecting the people. You have don’t a great deal. Move forward. Let the people live their life. If a few deaths happen, so be it. They have been warned. Stop coming to the people so often. Move the country forward.
  • Old american nurse (03/09/2020, 19:28) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do upu really think we should take rhe vaccine People please be carefull about taking the vaccine ut sounds good but be carefull get good information on it before it comes on board


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