Health Minister Carvin Malone announced this news during a live COVID-19 media update on social media Wednesday evening, October 7.

Malone reported that the only positive COVID-19 case that had remained has now recovered; bringing the total recoveries in the territory to 70, with one death.

He said: “Let me be candid! The fact that we have no positive cases on record today does not mean that the BVI is ‘COVID-19 free’.”

Bars can open once certified

Malone said the recoveries have prompted Cabinet to make a number of decisions that will help to facilitate the continued reopening of the BVI.

“Cabinet decided to allow all businesses to reopen, inclusive of bars and nightclubs, provided that those businesses pass inspection by the Social Distancing Monitoring Protocols and are certified by the Environmental Health Division in order to operate their businesses,” he said.

“Bars and nightclubs owners are currently in conversations with the Department and a date and time for inspections would be agreed,” the minister added.

Malone also said Cabinet decided to continue the present restrictions on the movement of vessels in the territory; limiting them to a 6 pm curfew while ferries can operate up until the midnight curfew time.

Malone said that the new curfew will run from 12 am to 5 am curfew for 14 days, starting from October 8 until October 22.