Health Minister Carvin Malone said the location of these additional mooring sites will be decided and made available to the public soon.

“That concern was raised today (Monday, December 7) and we are taking that into full considerations. I think there were two to three additional sites which are deemed to be safe sites that we have actually looked at because there is a cold front that is due by Friday … So when there is a cold front coming, you can almost bet that there are going to be swells; making it unsafe for most or some of the anchorages,” Malone said during a media conference with Premier Andrew Fahie this week.

He added: “We have actually approved those to be looked at and they will be brought to Cabinet on Wednesday so that we can make a formal announcement as to these additional safe sites during the time when the swells and dangerous waters [are happening. We ant to ensure] that if you’re going to sleep, you will have to have a safe enough anchorage.”

14 mooring sites presently approved

Cabinet had previously announced 14 approved mooring sites across the territory for persons quarantining on approved vessels to anchor or dock. These include Benures Bay, Soldier Bay, South Bay, Spring Bay, White Bay, Hallovers Bay and Valley Trunk Bay.

Long Bay, Malone Bay, George Dog, Lee Bay, Muskmelon Bay, Pomato Point (West) and Manchioneel Bay are also included.

Vessels are allowed restricted movement in the territorial waters but are only permitted to land at these sites once they have received a negative COVID-19 test result upon arrival in the territory.

Vessels are to be anchored or docked by 6 pm daily at an approved mooring site until 5 am the next day.