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Tourism businesses must be 'Gold Seal Certified' to receive visitors- Premier Fahie

- in addition to approval from Environmental Health Department
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has said tourism businesses must be certified to receive visitors from December 1, 2020. Photo: Facebook
When the Territory opens up to international visitors via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on December 1, 2020, only those tourism businesses that have met certain criteria will be allowed to receive those visitors. Photo: VINO/File
When the Territory opens up to international visitors via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on December 1, 2020, only those tourism businesses that have met certain criteria will be allowed to receive those visitors. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- When the Territory opens up to international visitors via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on December 1, 2020, only those tourism businesses that have met certain criteria will be allowed to receive those visitors.

“Included in the approved policy for the reopening of the tourism industry is that tourism businesses must be certified to receive visitors,” Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who holds the portfolio for tourism, stated tonight, October 26, 2020, in an address to the Territory regarding the phased reopening of the tourist industry.

He said hotels, accommodations, restaurant operations and other industry amenities that are critical services in the tourist industry have been advised how they can create a safe environment for workers and guests.

Gold Seal Certification

He said the criteria for receiving permission to operate include that tourism businesses must be BVI Tourist Board-H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Gold Seal Certified.

According to the Premier, HLSCC’s Culinary and Hospitality Studies Department has designed a programme to prepare workers to re-enter the tourism industry with health and safety at its core in the “New Regular” of living and working with COVID-19.

“Participants must attend all online sessions of the programme to be eligible to receive internationally recognised certification.”

The Premier added that businesses must also be certified by the Environmental Health Department, and must obtain permission for reopening from the Premier’s Office, through the BVI Tourist Board, based on having achieved the necessary certification.

Mandatory temperature testing for tourists

“In order to facilitate efficient and effective contact tracing, all businesses would be required to check the temperature and record the name and contact details of all visitors to their establishments,” Premier Fahie said.

Tourists will also be required to meet strict requirements for entry.

Further, Premier Fahie said no tourist testing positive for COVID-19 will be allowed in the Territory.

22 Responses to “Tourism businesses must be 'Gold Seal Certified' to receive visitors- Premier Fahie”

  • waste of time (26/10/2020, 21:54) Like (54) Dislike (3) Reply
    No need for approval, there won’t be any tourists with those protocols...
  • More Info (26/10/2020, 22:08) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Forgive me if I have missed this but... Does this mean that all employees must have this gold seal certificate for the business to open? Clarity needed!
  • Man after God's own heart. (26/10/2020, 22:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Gold Seal Certified." Rather than righteousness seal. Base on what I understand our Premier said, in according to his speech at HLSCC, it sound to me the Covid-19 free adults can visit the strip tease night clubs, immoral as they are, in advertising their highly thrilling, orgy organs, to the whoever will may come. I have no personal hate in my heart against our Hon. Premier. I do believe the in many cases, he means well, but needs, like all of us do, to follow God's leading, like we all sometimes do. Father, the power of Your Holy Spirit invested in me, I lift Premier Andrew before You. May by You love power he will willingly run closer to You. So that You will be able to show him the many commofladge ditches the enemy of good has planted in ours, he including, path. Bless him greatly nowand in the future to come, in Jesus righteous name. Amen.
  • Winky (26/10/2020, 23:05) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
    We now finished for long time. Aint no money in hotel here . We need the boats back.
  • BVILOVE (27/10/2020, 02:40) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    They really started a BVILOVE campaign and then came up with this?

    I suggest they spend some more money and relaunch the BVIBROKE campaign.
  • Hotelier (27/10/2020, 04:38) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    State control of everything with Covid as the excuse. Say goodbye to the tourist industry for years.
  • thank you (27/10/2020, 06:07) Like (5) Dislike (19) Reply
    Thank you for keeping us safe.
  • Albert (27/10/2020, 07:04) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    For a country that largely relies on yachting not even a damn mention !!
  • tretretrete (27/10/2020, 07:19) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope he gave the last at CCHA credit for coming up wth the Gold seal. After the ladies in tourism tried to hijack the idea like it was theirs. Bottomline no tourists coming. Epic Fail
  • GG (27/10/2020, 07:43) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Now what scrubisland is going to do with all there staffs now , tourism industries gone to the dogs
  • lmao (27/10/2020, 08:04) Like (2) Dislike (15) Reply
    I am sorry to say but BVI people are ignorant as hell! Good job premier. Continue to keep us safe and protect our borders. Seems like these ignorant BVI landers do not understand that covid is still a clear and present danger! I see noting wrong with the plan. He is not doing anything different from other Islands/ countries who are trying to open safely. You cannot take money with you to the grave and the tourism industry is not dead. Tourist will return . Good job premier. Please don’t listen to the noise. In my opinion you are more lenient than most countries and yet they cry . What a nation of ungrateful . Ignorant people . That must be the hardest part about your job. Dealing with the ignorant people who have no idea . I commend you Premier.
    • SijAzdem (27/10/2020, 12:13) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
      Who are the primary beneficiaries of the tourist industries kn the VI. From my vantage point is is the expats and th e y are the ones who are always and forever whining about the Almighty dollar and the shortcomings of the VI. A dollar means more to them th as n their lives. Live and let live for heaven sake.
      • islandgirlz (27/10/2020, 14:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        the main beneficiaries of the tourist industry is the sister islands you bigots don't remember exists.
  • VG Resident (27/10/2020, 09:41) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    NO, NO, NO this is insanity at its best. No one wants to put up- with this and I predict you will not have to worry about 90 persons showing up at the airport. I will be surprised if 9 persons show in a day.
  • hmm (27/10/2020, 09:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Tourists go ALL OVER, so what constitutes a 'tourist business'??
  • Hmm (27/10/2020, 11:08) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Supermarkets and bars and lots of other businesses fall under this catagory did they already get their seals????
  • Tourism Man (27/10/2020, 11:47) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Everybody is underestimating the the tourist that comes to the BVI. I worked in the industry long enough to know that Tourist make strategic decision about where to go and one the major factor in that decision is health care system in the destination. I think tourist will feel comfortable and safe in BVI of the various standards we know have in place. From what I can tell, We want the tourism business but we don't want to do the work to keep everyone safe. By the way it seems as if every Caribbean destination have almost the same standards as us. People need to get with the program.
  • thank you tourism man (27/10/2020, 16:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what you saying is right the tourists will also like to know that they are safe also there are other Caribbean countries doing this 4days quarantine then test again and 24h to wait for results the same protocol and a monater I just don't know what's the fuss this is aslo done in barbados
  • rewrsdffds (28/10/2020, 09:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    So if the tourist have to go through all those protocals why does the businesses have to go through soo much again. Remember the tourists will already be covid free when they do reach the businesses so how can they spread it and how will businesses spread corona when their staff are covid free.


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