People wear masks at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) out of concern over the coronavirus on January 31, 2020 in New York City. As the Virgin Islands intensifies efforts to prevent the 2019 Novel Coronavirus from reaching its shores and spreading, a decision has been made to suspend the VISA exemption for Chinese nationals entering the Territory. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), in a statement delivered at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on February 20, 2020, said the Ministry of Health and Social Development has adapted a multifold approach to reduce the risk of the possible impact of COVID-19 on the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO/File

Cabinet has decided that the ‘Order made by the Cabinet on 5th July, 2018 and, gazetted on the said date, exempting Chinese nationals from the requirements of a visa be suspended until such time that the Minister responsible for Immigration declares that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is contained’. Photo: VINO/File

This decision was made when Cabinet met on Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at the Premier's Conference Room of the Ralph T. O'Neal Administration Building.

At the end of 2019 a new strain of coronavirus was detected in Wuhan City, China and later named coronavirus disease 2019 (or COVID-19) by the World Health Organisation (WHO).  On January 30, 2020 the WHO declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

According to CNN on February 20, 2020, at least 2,244 people are now dead from the virus, with all but 11 of those deaths in mainland China. The total number of infected worldwide stands at over 76,000.

During the Cabinet meeting chaired by His Excellency the Governor Augustus J. U.  Jaspert and attended by all Members, Cabinet “Decided that the Order made by the Cabinet on 5th July, 2018 and, gazetted on the said date, exempting Chinese nationals from the requirements of a visa be suspended until such time that the Minister responsible for Immigration declares that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is contained.

Travel advisories

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), in a statement delivered at the Fifth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on February 20, 2020, said it is important to note that due to the incubation period of the virus, there are no systems of checks, devices or protocols that can offer absolute protection.

“The Ministry therefore strongly recommends that BVI residents avoid all non-essential travel to China and to other countries affected by the COVID-19.”

Affected countries in addition to China include Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, France, The UK, South Korea, Vietnam, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan and the USA.

Currently, there is no specific treatment or anti-viral drug available for COVID-19. Supportive treatment is provided based on the patient’s clinical condition.

“Although several organisations are currently working on a COVID-19 vaccine, it is quite possible that the vaccine might not be ready in time to combat this epidemic. As such, the Ministry of Health and Social Development continues to closely monitor the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by this virus,” Hon Malone said.

Measures to include quarantine

The Health Minister added that despite the continued belief, based on risk assessments, that the Territory remains at low risk for transmission, “in light of the accelerated rate of reported cases and the need to alleviate the apprehension of residents within the Territory, enhanced measures are being taken to minimise the risk to the residents of the British Virgin Islands.”

He added that the Ministry of Health and Social Development has adapted a multifold approach to reduce the risk of the possible impact of COVID-19:

This includes activating the Quarantine Authority to better provide on-going support to the COVID-19 response.

“Going forward there will be increased screening at all Ports-of-Entry to detect probable cases and distribute material to all arriving passengers. Port officials will monitor travellers, and those with symptoms compatible with COVID-19 infection will be referred to the BVI Health Services Authority for evaluation.”

Hon Malone added that all arriving passengers who have travelled to China and other affected countries within the last 14 days are to be given a Travel Health Alert Notice, and be subject to health surveillance and isolation.

“Through intense inquiry by Immigration officers they will be required to fill out a questionnaire about their travel, possible signs and symptoms and contact information. Persons showing signs and symptoms or a respiratory infection with travel history from an affected country will be quarantined and subjected to further screening and testing.”

Hon Malone noted too that the use of thermal imaging technology will be implemented at the ports to facilitate detection of cases and that non-contact hand-held thermometers will be used to check passengers’ temperature to determine if they have a fever.

“Enhanced monitoring and surveillance will assist the Ministry with tracking disease trends, forecasting spread, investigating cases and ensuring that the public, including travelers, get the right information about what to do if they become ill.”