The Road Town Jetty would be opened to international visitors from January 21, 2021, instead of December 8, 2020. Photo: VINO/File

While describing the decision to defer the reopening of the Territory’s seaports to January 21, 2021, as hard, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) said the decision was necessary in the face of the gaps that are being experienced at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TBLIA) on Beef Island. Photo: Facebook

Until the seaports reopen, visitors to the Virgin Islands would have to book their flights to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. Photo: VINO/File

Addressing the public via a live forum last night, Monday, December 7, 2020, he said, the reopening of the airport was used as a gauge to determine whether or not the territory could move ahead with the planned reopening of the seaport.

However, “Given the lessons learned from the first week of our borders through the TBLIA, we recognise that there is even more work to be done at the seaports as we heighten and increase our health and safety protocols through the port of entry.”

High numbers exceeded expectations 

Premier Fahie mentioned that the number of visitors to the territory since the reopening on December 1, “far exceed[ed]” their projection.

As such, “we see an opportunity to further strengthen our seaports to successfully balance lives and livelihoods. We want the teams there to be fully equipped as we COVID-19 proof the territory. So today, given all those factors cabinet held an emergency meeting today and decided on the following to ensure on the safety of all. First of Cabinet deferred and is deferring the December 8, 2020, opening to the territory to marine traffic from international visitors including via the Road Town Ferry Terminal and private charter vessels unless previously approved because there were some areas that were previously approved, those will still be allowed.” 

He said Cabinet agreed to the new target date of January 21, 2021, for the reopening of the Road Town terminal only to incoming international visitors until all performance objectives for reopening are met.

“So that would give us some time for us to make sure that all the measures and the protocols and all the areas that need in terms of facilities is completed; it has already started, but it gives us more time to complete,” he explained.

'Lots more work to do'

Furthermore, he said, it was also decided that all visitors will enter the territory via the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport up until January 21, 2021.

“Lastly cabinet approved today that additionally, we requested that the Health Emergency Operating Centre (HEOC) team review the list for approved sites for safe quarantine mooring and provide any updated recommendations by December 9, 2020,” he added.

The Premier further said, the announcement “does not mean that we are not allowing visitors to come, what cabinet is saying is that we have a lot more work to do to ensure the safety of residents coming through the seaports.”

He said, for visitors who have already booked their travel through the seaport, they took that into consideration and had ‘fruitful discussions’ with two airlines who would be adjusting their schedule to facilitate these persons who would otherwise be stranded due to the change of plans in St Thomas. They will be flown to the Beef Island-based airport for processing.

Until the seaports reopen, visitors would now have to book their flights to the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport, Premier Fahie emphasised.