‘Persons & businesses breaking the rules’ - Premier Fahie
“I must point out that breaking the rules is breaking the law, and I would hate to see us reaching the point where hard measures become necessary or where we have to put in the reverse gear and re-institute the 24-hour lockdown, just because a handful of irresponsible persons insist on being stubborn and putting all of us in danger,” Premier Fahie mentioned in a statement this evening.
The Virgin Islands has had 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with one death, while three have some far recovered.
Some 199 persons are in quarantine.
The one-month lockdown was to prevent community spread of the virus and although the Government decided to begin allowing persons out for a limited amount of time to do business, they were to adhere to strict preventative measures.
No masks & unapproved businesses
According to Honourable Fahie, although official announcements were made and communication sent out, “we have heard about persons, albeit the minority, not wearing masks and businesses that are not on the Cabinet-approved list opening today.
“We have heard of instances of persons gathering in groups and not taking any precautions, and some taxis not ensuring their passengers were properly spaced apart.”
Premier Fahie emphasised that businesses and individuals will be held to account if they are caught breaching the orders.
“The BVI did not come out of 28 days of 24-hour lockdown just for a handful of persons to throw our progress away."
“We did not sacrifice our freedom to move about; we did not close our borders, shut down businesses, and ask persons to endure the economic fall-out as the world is currently experiencing; use our own tax dollars to keep us all safe; just for a handful of persons to throw our progress away.”
Unapproved businesses pose a danger
He added it is important to note that businesses on the approved list have gone through a process of being certified by the Environmental Health Division for receiving customers, therefore businesses not on the Cabinet-approved list would not have gone through the certification process.
“Those unauthorised businesses were not inspected and approved by the Health and Social Distancing Task Force to ensure that all the necessary measures for protecting your safety are in place.
“So people are in danger at those businesses,” he said.
Approved businesses
The businesses receiving Cabinet approval for reopening are Supermarkets, Bakeries, Fishers and Farmers, Pharmacies, Banks, Fuel Stations, Ferries (inter-island transportation only), Buses and Taxis (limited passengers), Construction companies, building and concrete supplies businesses; Laundromats, Home delivery services, Insurance, Legal and Financial Services that cannot be carried out remotely, Office supplies, Automotive parts and repairs, Manufacturers of hand sanitisers and PPEs, Water and ice production and deliveries, Emergency household and business repairs, as approved, Medical Establishments, Legal Establishments, Telecommunication companies, Hardware, cleaning and sanitisation stores.
All businesses are to operate between the hours of 6:00 am and 1:00 pm.
“If a business type not listed decides to open up without approval, you will be held responsible for your actions,” Premier Fahie warned.
He said the rules and protocols that have informed the Territory’s reopening strategy were devised by the local and international professionals in the public health field, working with scientific data and research.
“These rules and protocol are designed to keep us moving forward towards the eventual full reopening of the economy.
“Disobedience pushes us in the opposite direction.”
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38 Responses to “‘Persons & businesses breaking the rules’ - Premier Fahie”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a3WBL7ikFe8
I really understand that a lot of small businesses are hurting believe me I have one too but if you are going to allow one to get away with it then how the others going to feel? It does not help that the Premier is yet to come up with a solid plan to assist businesses in distress so they have no choice but to break the law and open.
Donkey say the World nah level.
I am waiting to see them enforce these laws but I would not hold my breath. Just another set of political pandering if you ask me. Anybody in need of a haircut?
I knew this would be the outcome.
Some ppl very stubborn and don’t care a dam n putting us who cares and being compliant at risk not fair at all.
Yes a few people may die from the virus. But people die from scooter accidents too, did you ban scooters?
People die every day from heart disease. Did you ban fried chicken? (Yes fried chicken is bad for you).
You don’t care the people die. As long as it’s not by Corona.
Let’s get back to life. Our mental health and economy depend on it.
Need proof ? https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/coronavirus/alert-1-guidance-for-certifying-covid-19-deaths.pdf