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Gov’t committed to taking ‘decisive actions’ to safeguard VI- Hon Malone

- following brief lockdown of JvD
Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has said Government will continue to take decisive actions to safeguard the Virgin Islands people against this deadly disease. Photo: GIS/File
With no positive test results for COVID-19 following island wide testing on Jost van Dyke (JvD) the quarantine measure put in place on the island was lifted yesterday, July 25, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
With no positive test results for COVID-19 following island wide testing on Jost van Dyke (JvD) the quarantine measure put in place on the island was lifted yesterday, July 25, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- With no positive test results for COVID-19 following island wide testing on Jost van Dyke (JvD) and the subsequent decision yesterday, July 25, 2020, to lift the quarantine measure put in place, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Carvin Malone (AL) has expressed deep appreciation to the people of JvD for their “understanding and cooperation” with this Public Health measure, despite the many inconveniences caused.

The lockdown measure was put in place on July 21, 2020, after a positive case detected in St Vincent and the Grenadines with links to Jost van Dyke. 

In a statement, on July 25, 2020, Hon Malone said he was happy to report that the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) had concluded its testing of all close contacts, the vast majority of persons residing on the island, as well as several recent visitors to JvD and all test results were negative for COVID-19. 

He said 335 persons on Jost van Dyke, 20 on Tortola and 3 on Virgin Gorda were tested for coronavirus.

“I rejoice with the entire Territory that no evidence of active person-to-person transmission of the COVID-19 virus has been detected on Jost van Dyke or throughout the Virgin Islands after widespread screening and testing.”

‘Decisive actions’

Hon Malone added that these results “may, understandably, give rise to concerns about the necessity of the approach that was taken to safeguard the health of persons who could possibly have been exposed to the virus. 

“On the other hand, if positive cases had been detected, the concern may have been that we should have acted sooner, or more aggressively.”

The Health Minister said as countries continue to grapple with the biggest international crisis in generations, he wanted to again assure the Virgin Islands of Government’s commitment to carefully consider the serious risks posed to its small community with its unique social and economic vulnerabilities, and take decisive actions to safeguard our people against this deadly disease.

“We do not take this responsibility lightly.”

Hon Malone also encouraged everyone throughout the Territory to continue to adhere to all Public Health measures being implemented to keep them and their community safe from COVID-19.

“Please remain vigilant regarding the onset of flu-like symptoms, and use the Medical Hotline 852-7650 to set up an appointment for testing if you develop symptoms or have recently been exposed to the virus.

“With your help, we can mitigate the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our lives and livelihoods,” Hon Malone said.

9 Responses to “Gov’t committed to taking ‘decisive actions’ to safeguard VI- Hon Malone”

  • watching (26/07/2020, 08:48) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    Do what you gotta do
  • (26/07/2020, 09:13) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    Let all the Island people that was on the blogs take that. It just shows how much you guys envy BVI no case . Got on the blogs talking a bunch of negativity way before an investigation and tests were even carried out. If this doesn’t show the BVI people how wicked and envious those island people are , then I do not know what will. They were so convinced without any testing being done that the so called vincy got infected on our shores ( that is if she or he really was infected). They are out to tarnish the good work our GOV here is doing. The rest of the Caribbean Gov should take note. We are guided by a God fearing premier. God will not lead us into destruction. He is in control . Thanks be to God!.. Thanks be to GOD! Keep up the good work Hon. premier and team! GOD will see us through safely. Amen.
    • Vibornandraise (26/07/2020, 16:31) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don't speak for all VI landers when you spout the words Island People, the VI is a group of very small Islands stop with the Ignorance, and this goes for both VIlanders and those from the other Caribbean Islands ignorance shouldn't be tolerated.
  • Tourism Man (26/07/2020, 09:24) Like (4) Dislike (37) Reply
    Leadership at it's best. Thank you BVI Government.
    • set up (26/07/2020, 12:11) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      I was the blogger. The first one to say, its a set up... Common sense.. They are trying to pay the BVI back for what they see as bad treatment of their people....
  • Ignorace is Popular (26/07/2020, 12:04) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is so so Sad to see how quick our govt jump to make such drastic decision to shut a whole Island down on one Test.. That kind of action required two or three tests... A Female Doctor came on the news and said the mask we wear are not good for us,... Before the mask we hardly put our hands in our face now we are wearing the mask our hands are in our faces more than 100 times a day....The hand is what will pick up the bacteria in 97% of the time and trasfer it to the body, so the regular sanitizing and washing of hands is waay more effective way than the mask.....U may say how about sneezing or driplets from the mouth, those 98% of the time will end up on a surface that we end up touching.. Hence the Dr says frequent washing and sanitizing of hands are more effective ways to prevent the catching of the desease......Too much intelligence eliminate common sense....So she is right.. "Ignorance is Popular"..
    • Fear kills (26/07/2020, 12:17) Like (57) Dislike (2) Reply
      Open the place up the Borders and control it... Stop living in fear.. Fear has consume you....Tell a black person they are going to die and you will get them to drink poison to stay alive, that's how much they fraid death, . U can easily used death to control and enslave them.. ..
  • check it out (26/07/2020, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Government needs to fully investigate this matter and if the evidence gathered purports that it was a hoax I say put the individual on the "STOP LIST" from entering the BVI ever again.

    A lot of unnecessary resources were lost because of some one's ineptness or maliciousness. Therefore, 'Peter should pay for Paul' or 'the innocent will suffer for the guilty.'

    Go ahead and give me all the thumbs down as you wish.
  • asking for a freind (26/07/2020, 17:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    who is that shadow behind the minister?


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