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VI could implement COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements- Hon Malone

- 2nd shipment of vaccines from UK arrives
Travellers to the Virgin Islands (VI) could soon be required to show proof of inoculation through a passport specifically for COVID-19, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has said. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The Virgin Islands welcomed 12,000 units of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which represents shipment number two, from the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Assisting with the offloading of the precious cargo is Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: GIS/Facebook
The Virgin Islands welcomed 12,000 units of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which represents shipment number two, from the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Assisting with the offloading of the precious cargo is Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: GIS/Facebook
A vaccine passport could allow vaccinated EU citizens to travel more easily in Europe by summer, according to a proposal from the European Commission released on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Photo: Getty Images
A vaccine passport could allow vaccinated EU citizens to travel more easily in Europe by summer, according to a proposal from the European Commission released on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Photo: Getty Images
TRELLIS BAY, Tortola, VI- Travellers to the Virgin Islands (VI) could soon be required to show proof of inoculation through a passport specifically for COVID-19, Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone (AL) has said.

Honourable Malone’s remarks came as the territory welcomed 12,000 units of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, which represents shipment number two, from the United Kingdom (UK) on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

“There are some countries around the world that are already requiring the vaccine passport, and that will then help to relax the quarantine in those areas, so we are looking at this, it is a moving target, as far as we are concerned and we are going to follow World Health Organisation (WHO), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), all of our agencies. It is critical that we continue to follow the science, follow the institutions who are best geared to give us the information required,” he said.

Several countries, including European countries such as Poland, Denmark, Spain and Greece, as well as China, Russia and Singapore, are now introducing exemptions for travellers who hold vaccine certificates.

EU proposes vaccine passport mechanism

A vaccine passport could allow vaccinated EU citizens to travel more easily in Europe by summer, according to a proposal from the European Commission released on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. A certificate could allow vaccinated EU citizens to travel more easily in Europe by summer, according to a proposal from the European Commission released on Wednesday.

The "Digital Green Certificate" would vouch for vaccination, COVID-19 test results, and whether the carrier has recovered from COVID-19.

It is the 27-nation bloc's version of an idea for vaccine passports, which many countries are mulling as a potential exit strategy from the coronavirus pandemic.

To go forward, European Commission's proposal would need to be approved by European Parliament and its 27 member states.

The certificate would be valid across the 27 EU members, and could also include Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland, European officials said.

HEOC pushing for more vaccinations

In the meantime, now that the second shipment of the vaccines is here, vaccinations will be ramped up, the minister said.

“We had a meeting with the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) today, and they have advised us that we want to make sure that the two doses are in and we were saying 70 per cent of the adult population, but they are saying we want to push it to 85 and 90 per cent, but we will strive for 100 per cent.”

He further said: “But once we get to the herd immunity, we will then be able to look into the masks, the distancing and so forth, but we are not out of the woods as it relates to what we have been reading, whether it is in Canada, the United States, Europe, all over the Caribbean.”

He added that if residents take the vaccine, “we can look in terms of opening up the economy, opening up whatever we have to do. We have to make sure that we do whatever is critical to keep the protocols moving.”

32 Responses to “VI could implement COVID-19 vaccine passport requirements- Hon Malone”

  • Holder Mychief (18/03/2021, 08:25) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    It wouldn’t surprise me if some of the stores in the BVI introduce a requirement to prove that you have Ben vaccinated before you are allowed into the store.
    • good idea (18/03/2021, 10:00) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
      :) I hope so
    • Concerned (18/03/2021, 12:55) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
      It is rather concerning that the minister would mandate the taking of a vaccine that has been halted in several countries over the world for causing serious health problems. I am over 65 years old and I can assure you that any such breach of my human and constitutional rights would be challenged in the appropriate courts. Vaccination is necessary, but let us have choices that do not carry this significant health risk...Cuban, Russian, Chinese and other vaccines are also on the market let us have access to them also.
  • BigBoxOfCornflakes (18/03/2021, 08:36) Like (33) Dislike (1) Reply

    Y'all need to stay away from the media. People are trying to cope with so much and it's one headline after another. Jeeze. Give us a chance to breathe!

    • Informed (18/03/2021, 09:04) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
      It’s their duty to keep us informed and our duty to remain informed. If you want to forfeit that right, you can log off.
  • Clueless (18/03/2021, 09:02) Like (26) Dislike (9) Reply
    So why he don't want to halt this particular brand vaccine like the rest of the world?
    • trrefdrfds (18/03/2021, 09:56) Like (9) Dislike (7) Reply
      The EU are in a war over vaccines with the UK. and Asra Zeneca, they need to halt the vaccines till they get more as they only recieved 40% of what they ordered due to faults at both factories in the EU, they then tried to get the UKs vaccines.
      Out of 17 million people 22 had blood clots and that number is in line with the normal occurence of blood clots that happens in the population. Now the UK has done over 25 million vaccines with no problems so the facts are there.
  • BEWARE - Voice of the Last Days - (18/03/2021, 09:21) Like (32) Dislike (6) Reply
    What is it with BVI? Are we just following blindly every thing being said and done in the outer world. What passport does BVI need for Covid. CHildren born here cannot get BVI passport but now you talking about Covid passport?

    How many cases of Covid is in BVI? Now the same EU put a hold of vacination, the same vaccines that is being dumped in BVI, because of the side effect and blood clot. As far as I am concerned we should not even have 14 day quarantine, once a person pressure and other statistics are negative they should be free to enter BVI, our ports should be opened and tests be done at the port when people enter. How long oh Go will be BVI remain under lockdown of our ports, Sea and Air?? Oh Lord, How Long???
    • Read between the lines (18/03/2021, 12:58) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
      The vaccine comes from the UK - the UK have not stopped rolling out the vaccine - they have now done nearly 50% of their population. Their death toll has fallen by 70% in the past 6 weeks. They are reopening over the next few weeks because they now have protection. The European regulator and WHO have said there is no issue with the vaccine. The countries that have stopped have only paused it and some are already resuming it. Why would we be the dumping ground?? Thats so ludicrous I can only think there are other motives for writing such nonsense. And what does a covid passport that is a health mechanism aimed to protect residents have anything to do with a BVI passport?
  • facts (18/03/2021, 09:27) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    I awaiting on the Johnson and Johnson
  • street (18/03/2021, 09:34) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    Boss u try go sit down with that nonsense
  • #wakeup! (18/03/2021, 09:49) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
    The common man needs to give these Govts a rude awakening. The only reason that the vaccine manufacturer knows how effective the vaccine is, is because everyone in the test did not take the vaccine. Why do nations think it's a good idea to have their whole population vaccinated? Especially because this is a world wide trial.
  • omg (18/03/2021, 10:00) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mark of the Beast.
  • tretretrete (18/03/2021, 10:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    U all in for a rude awakening......think that last song was loud it will be fire behind that to all that exists
  • Peaches (18/03/2021, 10:25) Like (19) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's all a coming together of nations for the One World Order. Jesus is our only hope. I will NOT take that vaccine. Do what you all want, this is my body, my right. God is my helper, I will NOT fear what man will do unto me. Praise God!
  • carrot bay man (18/03/2021, 11:12) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    That should be the policy,if you can provide that you have bin vaccinated,and a negative test , you should be let in the country,without having to quarantine.
    • hmm (18/03/2021, 13:29) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      If only the vaccine prevented you from 1. Catching covid, and 2. Spreading it
  • done (18/03/2021, 11:28) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Tyranny!
    • One term Government. (18/03/2021, 12:15) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      Everything the outside world say and do, we glad to follow. At the same time refusing to listen to your own educated people.. How many Passport one will need to travel... This idea is so dumb just like our leaders .. Simply get a vaccine ID.. With a photo and country vaccinated type of vaccine, date of vaccine, that can easily fits into ones purse or wallet...

  • @@hmmm (18/03/2021, 12:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Imagine it was one of our minister's in that situation..we the people got to take AWARENESS of these things ...wow
  • Definitely (18/03/2021, 13:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I one to cross over .....
  • trrefdrfds (18/03/2021, 13:13) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    One time government yessa I to agree ....crossing over see u mr hon .m .penn
  • U is the down fall (18/03/2021, 14:26) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of the people party ....mr minister
  • robocop (18/03/2021, 15:25) Like (5) Dislike (20) Reply
    I am just waiting 6 months before the claims of racism after all the expats have been vaccinated and can travel while the locals haven't had their shots or are getting sick. Some people are their own worst enemies and happily follow the clowns on social media rather than take the advice of medically trained professionals.
    • you are robocop right? (19/03/2021, 04:26) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      you sound very stup*d to say the least. I personally don't want to travel if this going to be the only way to do so.
  • biden (19/03/2021, 03:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Biden is saying 100 million vaccinated
    And he warns don’t get relaxed

    But u uo here sharing misinformation about this vac
    What u really saying ?
    If the entire population is vaccinated
    You looking to relax the mask etc ?
    Stupes
  • Listen (19/03/2021, 08:36) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI gonna restrict itself into invisibility!!
    • lets go BVI (19/03/2021, 11:42) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/03/18/gibraltar-vaccine-coronavirus/

      As of yesterday update of the AZ vaccine was resumed in those countries that paused it last week. Politics!!!

      Come on - what are your alternatives? Why do you dismiss the vaccine but have no other solutions? Great - we have no cases. That is definitely a huge positive. But it is also making us think we don't need a vaccine when it is the only safe way to reopen. get over your fears. President of Tanzania died yesterday after refusing the vaccine and stating that they didnt have it. Well the reports are that he did. How many more deaths will it take?
  • @Robocop (19/03/2021, 12:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Stop choking the cock let them crow ......for u late already
  • Mr need (19/03/2021, 12:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    A vaccine for bad mind and greed


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