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Cruise ships requesting vaccinated taxi drivers, businesses - Premier

Premier Andrew A. Fahie said the government will not be making the rules regarding cruise ship policies on vaccination, rather, the industry will determine. Photo: Facebook/File
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has indicated that the cruise ships coming to the territory in June 2021, will be communing will fully vaccinated passengers and crews and as such, will only be supporting businesses and taxi drivers that are vaccinated. Photo: HoA/Youtube
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has indicated that the cruise ships coming to the territory in June 2021, will be communing will fully vaccinated passengers and crews and as such, will only be supporting businesses and taxi drivers that are vaccinated. Photo: HoA/Youtube
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has indicated that the cruise ships coming to the territory in June 2021, will be coming with fully vaccinated passengers and crews and, as such, will only be supporting businesses and taxi drivers that are vaccinated.

“There are persons already asking, tourists… when I come, I want to be able to go in a taxi where the taxi operator is vaccinated,” he said during the April 10, 2021, edition of ‘ZOEJ Says” live-streamed on Facebook.

Cruise industry crafting their own policies on vaccination 

Hon Fahie said the government will not be making the rules regarding cruise ships' policies on vaccination, rather, the industry will determine.

“So, the industry will demand what happens, not the government, because when you have a tourist come off the cruise ship and then demanding that they only go in a taxi that is vaccinated, you can’t bring them to the Premier to complain,” Hon Fahie said.

“Do not shoot the messenger,” Hon Fahie further went on to say in highlighting that tourists will have the say on who they want to hire.

“The cruise ships that we agreed to are coming fully vaccinating, the crews are coming for this stuff that created their own bubble… and they are already saying that they want to go in stores where they could be assured that the storekeepers and employees are vaccinated, they want to be with taxis that are vaccinated,” he said.

Vaccination is still a choice - Premier Fahie 

Regarding vaccination, the Premier assured that while everyone has choices; however, those choices will have consequences.

“Now this is not to bully anyone to take the vaccine, but everywhere in the world recognizes that this now is one of the best opportunities we have to reopen the economy,” he said.

Hon Fahie related that the VI has followed all the protocols and the science and now the territory will move towards re-opening on June 2021, with credit going to Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) and team for their support.

43 Responses to “Cruise ships requesting vaccinated taxi drivers, businesses - Premier”

  • ReX FeRal (13/04/2021, 10:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow
  • island man (13/04/2021, 10:29) Like (58) Dislike (13) Reply
    makes sense to me. you all want vaccinated tourists too right?
  • Rubber Duck (13/04/2021, 10:35) Like (28) Dislike (16) Reply
    All tourists will demand that all staff in establishments they patronize, hotels, restaurants, boats etc be vaccinated.

    It is people’s choice whether to vaccinate but be aware that not vaccinating may cost you your job.
    • @Rubber (13/04/2021, 11:16) Like (30) Dislike (22) Reply
      Pure rubbish, by October everyone will be happy to get over the nonsense and return to normalcy. People get sick all the time and that's what hospitals and doctors are for. I'm all for vaccination but it's time to rebuild economies globally and deal with the issues as the arise. Locking down, closing down, panicking isn't helping anyone.
      • Rubber Duck (13/04/2021, 13:13) Like (13) Dislike (10) Reply
        Dream on. In October the backward nations who have refused to or are incapable of vaccinating will still be rife with Covid. As of today the equivalent of the entire population of BVI dies every two days. That is twice the rate it was a year ago.
        • @Rubber (13/04/2021, 14:28) Like (24) Dislike (5) Reply
          So what if it's rife with COVID once people are vaccinated. Again you type so much you don't even know what you are saying. The vaccine does not stop you from getting COVID, it reduces your chance of getting a SEVERE bout of COVID, big difference. Everywhere in the world will be rife with COVID but with global vaccinations reaching a certain point what will be the reason for keeping count aside from continuing keeping people in a panicked state. You cannot stop a virus so the ultimate aim is to reduce the severities, not stop people from getting it all together.
          • @@Rubber (13/04/2021, 15:11) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
            Please get it right. It greatly reduces your chances of getting COVID period (by 79% for the Astra Zeneca vaccine). It ELIMINATES your chances of getting severe COVID (100% for the Astra Zeneca vaccine).... The unvaccinated have a much higher risk of catching COVID and spreading COVID. That is a FACT.
            • Oh Please (15/04/2021, 23:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
              @@@rubber:Your news is old. What you’re saying was the first report when these vaccines were coming on stream. The latest is that they would not prevent you from contracting nor transmitting only the severity of if you contract it. Get it straight.
          • Rubber Duck (13/04/2021, 15:41) Like (4) Dislike (17) Reply
            Wrong. Vaccination reduces your chance of catching Covid at all by average 8o-95% But read the attached and see that the chance of catching it after vaccination are very very low in reality. It reduces your chance of being severely ill or dying by as near to 100% as doesn’t matter. If you do t catch it you can’t transmit it


            https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/can-you-spread-covid-after-receiving-vaccine/2478894/

            • @rubber duck (14/04/2021, 06:23) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
              You didn't understand the thread you posted. That 80-95% is the chance of the vaccine suppressing the symptoms. You aren't taking the vaccine to protect others.....It's just to protect yourself from the symptoms. So if someone is fully vaccinated and coming in to the BVI why are they demanding that we are fully vaccinated? Think about that for a minute. They have not found a way to stop the virus so they have focused on managing the affects of the virus on us. You posted the link and still was lost on what you read and that's the way they designed it to be. Mix the truth with lies to be deceitful.
  • Lee Quan (13/04/2021, 10:37) Like (26) Dislike (48) Reply
    Glad to hear. Get on board the program or get left out.
  • musa (13/04/2021, 10:47) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    great new we need to open up so it come with responsibility
  • Servant of the Most High God in Christ Jesus (13/04/2021, 11:27) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Fair and balance demand. Two hands do a better job washing each other.
  • 1st District (13/04/2021, 11:42) Like (126) Dislike (17) Reply

    If the vaccine is so good and you take it why worry about the UNVAXED. OH, BUT THEN IT'S THE VAXED PEOPLE CAN INFECT THE UNVAXED. WHAT KIND AH SH** IS THAT!

    • @1st District (13/04/2021, 12:27) Like (14) Dislike (39) Reply
      Just stay home and chill, while the vaxers go about their business and live life.
    • Genuine Q (13/04/2021, 12:59) Like (16) Dislike (73) Reply
      The guests and their carriers, who have a responsibility to them, are stating a preference...some ppl in their party (ie children) may not be able to get vaccinated - why should they be put at risk?
      Let them make a choice as we are also able to.
  • No where (13/04/2021, 12:17) Like (68) Dislike (10) Reply
    In the world any country is fully vaccinated
    So u telling me these cruise shippers going shopping etc only where it vaccinated ?
    Utter non sense.
    Another bull S is why u worried u vaccinated?
    They think they can call the shot on out life/health/choices ?
    They don’t even spend money very cheap.....
  • hummm (13/04/2021, 13:14) Like (93) Dislike (6) Reply
    This is just another way to force people to take the vaccine.
  • 007 (13/04/2021, 13:15) Like (17) Dislike (21) Reply
    Indeed you are right. Why worry about the unvaccinated. Let them die. Get rid of the stupid people.
    • @007 (14/04/2021, 09:17) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      So if there are people who are Asymptomatic and the intention of the vaccine is to make those who take it Asymptomatic is there a need for them to still vaccinate? Oh...you never thought about that right there. You're soooo smart
  • BVIslander (13/04/2021, 13:42) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
    The cruise ships only doing that to buffer their liability...don't fool yourselves..guests are not asking for this....it's the cruise companies that don't want to be sued....where does that leave us...how much do we really make off these cruise ships?? how about raising some cruising fees because these cruise ships are well known for trying to offer their guests everything and the kitchen sink on these cruises and just leave us with the crumbs to collect
  • Aboard (13/04/2021, 14:29) Like (28) Dislike (4) Reply
    Cruise ship people can just stay on board while at the dock in the unvaccinated BVI. The only cruise ship money will just be paid to the government.
    • absurd (14/04/2021, 11:28) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      @ Aboard: No one is coming to the BVi on a cruise ship if they can’t get off. What would be the point of coming? The question really is why should they want to come to the BVIs at all. Cruise ships are a big monopoly. They decide where they go. If BVIs can’t provide what they think their customers want, pretty much on their own terms, they’ll go somewhere else. Last thing they need is for crew or passengers to get COVID at some destination that seems sketchy on its pandemic management policies. IMHO, the smart move is to get everyone vaccinated ASAP so you can be at the front of the line in choices of destinations, and bet the tourism economy rolling.
  • KLMA (13/04/2021, 14:43) Like (125) Dislike (29) Reply
    All of you who are against the vaccine and taking bull crap about they think they can call the shot on our life/health/choices, they are not calling any shot on you our health choices if you don't agree with them no problem you just wont be able to work in that industry, Just remember the choice is yours. I am sure that some of you are the ones begging for the place to open up but you want it your way.
    • @KLMA (14/04/2021, 06:32) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
      You have been so easy to con. You don't even understand how the vaccine works just by your comment. Our body doesn't belong to the government nor the cruise lines and nobody. Go back and research again and you'll see that you missed something. If your vaccine so good then don't wear masks and see
  • Potential Visitor (13/04/2021, 14:47) Like (6) Dislike (15) Reply
    I am fully vaccinated and being my mode of transportation will be via taxi service, I would prefer that the taxi operators be vaccinated as well and wear a mask. I will also be wearing a mask.
    • @Potential Visitor (14/04/2021, 09:23) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
      So your vaccination doesn't protect you from being around someone that's not vaccinated? Sounds to me like you really don't trust the vaccine after all. I don't either so don't try to force it on me
  • hi (13/04/2021, 15:01) Like (7) Dislike (8) Reply
    Cruise ship passengers say jump so we got to do it? We must make a decision that can permanently affect us so they can walk around and be discriminate with their dollar for couple hours?
  • I wonder (13/04/2021, 15:26) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Will they also demand that local customers cant be using the same shops/restaurants at the same time with them too?
  • Dondada (13/04/2021, 16:11) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Since only RESIDENTS support our business throughout think and thin its best to put up a sign says RESIDENTS ONLY shop here. The BVI RESIDENTS supported all the businesses here rather vaccinated or unvaccinated.
  • U all broke (13/04/2021, 16:27) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
    Take the damxxn thing and keep things moving... Feed your family..
    • @ U All broke (17/04/2021, 10:53) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      That's to show you how stupid people does be...You rather say people broke and they must be force to take sumn that is not good for them...Look How Money Going Bring People To Them Death...You Will Die From All Those Different Vaccines They Making For You Guys And Then They Will Take The Money You Wanted To Bury Yuh Ass...
  • lodger (13/04/2021, 18:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ITS ONLY ONE CRUISE SHIP MAKING A VISIT ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS UNTIL AUGUST ONLY.
  • plain and simple (13/04/2021, 18:57) Like (6) Dislike (10) Reply
    GET VACCINATED OR MAKE UP TO BE WITHOUT A JOB.
    • @ plain and simple (17/04/2021, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      HAVE FAITH IN GOD OR HAVE YOUR MIND MAKE UP TO BE WITH THE devil....
  • goid (14/04/2021, 09:30) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    no v no job...with service industry period.. you can't tell private employers what to do
    • @ goid (17/04/2021, 11:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      And Them Could Tell The Private Hospitals To Give People FREE VACCINES!!! BUT IF YOU HAD TO DO A KIDNEY SURGERY YOUR BILL WOULD OF NEVER BEEN FOR FREE
  • wd (14/04/2021, 13:36) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    @KLMA I wish you and many others like you understood why you need to take the vaccine I am sure you know all about how it works, Its stupid people like you who want the place to open but not doing what you should. I don’t have to research more than I did; the media and all the bull sh@T about Bill Gates have you people with low IQ behaving like they know everything. As time goes on I wish you luck in finding a job.
    • Linda (17/04/2021, 17:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ wd, my GOD! Who died and made you everyone’s leader ? HITLER? Stick your poison where the sun don’t shine. Even when you get the shot, you can still get the virus even if it will lessen the virus if you catch it. Every person is different. My nephew received the shot, 2 weeks later, now as we speak, he got a blood clot in his lung and is on a ventilator fighting for his life in the USA. You take the damn shot and stop trying to bully people. It’s everyone’s personal choice, NOT YOURS!!!
  • premier (16/04/2021, 12:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thar's the problem right there..The B.V.I depend too much on tourism instead they come up with other ways to bring in income to the country, have to depend on US to get food etc...Grow Ayo Own Foods Help Ayo Country but yet ayo want to go independant...The government along with their system have the country suffering...The B.V.I is capable of doing better than this sh**


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