'Ain't much you can do in 7 hours'– Resident
The Territory was on full lockdown for a month until Monday, April 27, 2020, because of the presence of the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19.
So far six persons have tested positive and one person has died from COVID-19.
Three persons tested positive have since recovered.
According to Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), the economy is fragile and could collapse as hundreds become unemployed and face unemployment prospects.
Nevertheless, he said the control measures are necessary to protect life.
"The National Flow of income must be given the opportunity to grow or we can have a collapsed economy, which means not enough internal activity to support growth. Therefore, creating a strong business environment is most important at this time, in this new regular.
"It is no doubt that the economy is at a fragile state. And, with the uncertainty of the virus, as the possibility of having asymptomatic persons on island, which can cause a tail spin, we have to be very careful, very careful, very careful over the next 14 days as we reopen internal business economy. As our economy reboots internally, business activity will reopen to suit," Premier Fahie noted in a statement on April 24, 2020.
While many persons are quite contented with the soft curfew, as they are aware of the danger of COVID-19 and the need to do all that is necessary to contain the virus, some are not pleased with the limited time allowed to access food supplies and essential services.
7 hours 'insufficient'
One resident, a lecturer at the H. L. Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), said the time is insufficient.
"The lifting of the curfew will not afford me sufficient time to achieve much; how many businesses in Road Town open before 8:00am? Businesses will also be required to close in time to allow their employees to get back home before 1:00 pm, according to the stipulated guidelines; which means that residents actually have four hours to take care of their business," he said.
He added: "Imagine the challenge if you live on a sister island?"
The lecturer said, luckily he ordered his supplies online through the local supermarkets and is working from home, so that eliminates the need to "join the long queues, which will inevitably be a major challenge for the next two weeks."
He continued: "I will need to find time; however, to fill out my prescription for my eye medication, and am hoping that it will not be a protracted wait at the pharmacy as it is anticipated to be at the main supermarkets and other grocery stores."
Expats will leave- VG resident
Virgin Gorda resident, John Milles said he too is not thrilled about the time given to residents to do business.
He said: "In seven hours, ain't much you can do. In seven hours, the government only talk about where that's going to be open for business, but they forgot to say how we are going to get sufficient funds to go to these business places. If we do go to work, it's only for five hours or less. When Social Security and other taxes come out of that pay, it's just enough to eat something."
He said, if this continues for much longer, expatriates will consider going back home.
"People will eventually move back to their country, and when people move back, the economy gonna be very low here, and landlords will feel the pain."
He also said it was pointless to catch a ferry from the sister islands to come to Tortola to conduct business as they would be competing with other residents to stand in lines and wait for their turn.
According to Virgin Gorda Transport, also known as Speedys, effective Monday, April 27, 2020, there will be no service on Sundays and the Beef Island trip is also out at this time.
The notice said there will be Virgin Gorda to Road Town trips from 7:00am, 8:00am and 11:30am.
The trips from Road Town to Virgin Gorda will be from 7:45am, 10:40am and at noon.
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62 Responses to “'Ain't much you can do in 7 hours'– Resident”
Prioritizing your day what’s very important from day. There’s a saying (early birds get the worms)
This decision causing more rushing, crowds and longer lines
8 hours 8am to 4pm would make a big difference, 1 hour to travel 8am - 9am and 3pm to 4pm. Businesses open 9am-3pm (6 hours).
7am to 5pm if you own a business so you could set up and close down properly, or if you have to use a ferry which operates between 8am and 4pm.
We have to remember that the action being taken by our government is for the good of every single one of us.
We have to remember that the action being taken by our government is for the good of every single one of us.
Thank God the decision was made for the good of all.