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‘VI handled COVID-19 all on its own’– Premier Fahie

- said delay in seaports re-opening is to get systems 100% correct
Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, was at the time speaking during a December 7, 2020, update on the reopening of the VI’s borders, alongside Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL). Photo: GIS/Facebook
The Virgin Islands was one of the first Overseas Territories to get a certified COVID-19 testing laboratory. Photo: VINO/File
The Virgin Islands was one of the first Overseas Territories to get a certified COVID-19 testing laboratory. Photo: VINO/File
The United Kingdom, through Governor Agustus J. U. Jaspert, had refused to offer COVID-19 financial assistance to the Virgin Islands when requested. It instead told the VI to use its own funds first. Photo: VINO/File
The United Kingdom, through Governor Agustus J. U. Jaspert, had refused to offer COVID-19 financial assistance to the Virgin Islands when requested. It instead told the VI to use its own funds first. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A, Fahie (R1) has reminded that the territory has handled the entire COVID-19 pandemic on its own, without any financial help from the United Kingdom (UK), and this he says the territory should be proud of.

“We have done all of this… on our own, as people of the BVI we have a lot to be proud of we know that when we started and we asked for funds we were told, the UK said through their representative here 'exhaust all your funding that you can, whether it be Social Security or whether it be the reserves.'”

Premier Fahie was at the time speaking during a December 7, 2020, update on the reopening of the VI’s borders, alongside Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL).

VI taxpayers helped to fund COVID-19 initiatives

“We are to this point because of the people of the Virgin Islands and their taxpayers, which we're accountable for, and I need to make this point because we are one of the territories that moved very swiftly to get our own testing lab and have it certified,” he said.

He said having a lab is taken for granted; however, local testing was the first step to allow the territory to move to other levels of the re-opening, which he says was all part of a grand plan to make sure the government kept the VI safe.

Premier Fahie added; however, that he knows it would be tough for some persons to hear the reopening of the seaports has been delayed.

“I apologise for that part but I do not apologise for doing whatever is necessary, with my government members supporting me, to make sure that we put everything in place humanly possible to keep the people of Virgin Islands safe and our visitors safe,” he said.

Premier Fahie said re-reopening through the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport also allows for a certain level of control that cannot be guaranteed in the marine sector at this time.

“We will be working feverishly to make sure that we ready our seaports where persons will be coming into that level and standard of the airport," he added.

23 Responses to “‘VI handled COVID-19 all on its own’– Premier Fahie”

  • hmm (09/12/2020, 12:30) Like (23) Dislike (6) Reply
    "If you ever feel STUPID, just remember, there are people depriving themselves of oxygen, to protect themselves from a VIRUS they're going to inject themselves with later."
    • JAMIN (09/12/2020, 15:41) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      Fahie needs to understand that
      he is not responsible for
      the taxpayers as he claimed
      in the piece.
      He is accountable TO them.
      • @JAMIN (09/12/2020, 23:14) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
        Exactly, HE KEEP FORGETTING THAT HE IS EMPLOYED BY THE PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE IS HIS BOSS. ALMOST 2 YEARS IN OFFICE AND IS STILL ON PROBATION.
    • @LOL (09/12/2020, 15:43) Like (5) Dislike (6) Reply
      Speaking of STUPID, nobody’s “depriving themselves of oxygen”.
      Also, the vaccines are made with killed virus, not live virus. Vaccines allow the body’s immune system to create antibodies to a virus without getting the illness a live virus causes.
    • lmao (09/12/2020, 23:20) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      If you ever feel stupid, consider timing. Timing is everything! Before the injection, they are vulnerable, after the injection they are not. VACINE is what it's called and timing makes the difference!!!
  • Ho ho ho (09/12/2020, 12:32) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    If covid was as bad as they say it is.. The homeless would be dropping like flies. They are over amplifying the test to provide positive results.
    • Noo (09/12/2020, 13:05) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
      muts and strays dont die from heartworm, or even a bone lodged in its throat. Skip a treatment once and see how fast your home dog dies from heartworm. Homeless people immune system been covid ready
    • @Ho ho ho (09/12/2020, 16:30) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
      You know why the homeless is not getting the virus? HOMELESS PEOPLE IS NOT EVIL, THEY SIMPLY FELL ON HARD TIMES AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE UNIVERSE IS PROTECTING THEM. TELL ME, HOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PUT TOGETHER A CARE BAG IE.. A BAR OF SOAP, A TOOTH BRUSH, A MASK, DEODORANT AND HAND SANITIZER. I KNOW I HAVE.
  • and (09/12/2020, 12:58) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply

    Them #$%&* sheep fraid of independence hmmmm..some niggas just love to and feel secure only wen a collar round there neak ...no wonder the foot dont mean nothing to them on it either....#@$%&* house slave

  • Citizen (09/12/2020, 13:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Too early to say “handled well”, actual drama begins 2 weeks later , not out of woods yet!
  • and (09/12/2020, 13:41) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    what a mess you have made not of closing down and keeping people safe but of the reopening you have been planning since June.
  • Give God thanks (09/12/2020, 14:25) Like (10) Dislike (8) Reply
    Don’t take full credit Hon. Give God all the thanks. After wisdom you did what you had to do.
  • Really... (09/12/2020, 15:22) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    So, the tests provided by the UK don't count.
    • To Really (09/12/2020, 16:23) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
      Everyone know the UK only run come and help because they were looking bad internationally.
    • resident (09/12/2020, 20:25) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      And the Royal Navy ship to reduce the people smuggling, which is how we got our last spike.
  • Make sure (09/12/2020, 17:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    YOU PUBLICLY MENTIONED YOUR RIGHT HAND MAN CARVIN WHO IS THE BRAINS BEHIND FIGHTING COVID IN TORTOLA. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERN CARVIN IS DOING A GOOD JOB. FOR THE RECORD, I AM NOT RELATED TO CARVIN NOR DO I KNOW HIM ON A PERSONAL BASIS.
  • W*F (09/12/2020, 17:57) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    But we didn't really... did we? A lot of our testing kits, lab equipment and training came from the UK. We needed one of their navy ships to keep our border safe as was demonstrated by the imported cases of COVID immediately prior. It has gone and we still haven't installed any Radar or other equipment. Our economy is screwed thanks to the way this has been administrated, so is that what we did "all on our own"?
  • Truth Sayer (09/12/2020, 18:53) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Premier please stop the lies and tell the people the truth. BVI got help from the UK with testing kits because the Government did not have sufficient; the UK also helped with medical supplies; and the UK would also have had to grant BVI permission to bring in the Cuban doctors. I am sure there were more help given from the UK from what I listed. So the Premier needs to keep quiet because the people have the facts.
  • please (09/12/2020, 21:16) Like (1) Dislike (9) Reply

    Please Premier - don’t expect anything from this incompetent manchild rac**t big** governor. He’s only here to insult us, take selfies on w... only yachts, hire only w.... in his office (that WE pay for), & live in opulence in his WHITE house with only b...... servants (that WE pay for).

    Please just investigate him, his ALL WHITE office & Maverick Mick.

    And get them gone, off our necks finally.

  • JRD (09/12/2020, 21:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    So nice to hear this from the leader it hurts to think that the one man gang is still alive Mr PM I hope the governor will reply to this statement that you have said
  • Rubber Duck (10/12/2020, 06:32) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes congratulations , the government managed to screw it up completely without any help.
  • Hmmm (10/12/2020, 07:36) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    So father God didn't have any hand or help in it? Just asking for a friend.


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