Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Curfew Lifted, But Health Minister Wary Of Increase COVID-19 Risks

Curfew Lifted, But Health Minister Wary Of Increase COVID-19 Risks

The Government has lifted the curfew imposed on the Territory as part of new measures aimed at returning to normalcy, but Health Minister, Hon. Carvin Malone has warned of increased risks posed by COVID-19.
"I am pleased to report that after careful consideration by Cabinet, the curfew has now been fully lifted and our agencies are progressing towards implementing the second phase of the Restricted Border Re-opening Plan," Hon. Malone stated last evening during a live update.

The Territory has faced varying forms of curfew restrictions since march, including full lockdown. In the past few weeks, the Government has faced increasing calls for the curfew to be lifted given the low number of cases of COVID-19 in the Territory.

According to the Health Minister, over 1,757 persons have been tested at the Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital laboratory. He stated that the case count in the BVI remains relatively low. To date, a total of nine cases have been recorded, eight of whom are now recovered and one person has died.

"With each new step towards restoring normalcy to our daily lives comes increased risks of detection and a spike in infections. I’m aware that there exist the ever present fear of returning to lockdowns and other movement restrictions to curb transmission. We have seen this reversal play out in countries great and small, despite their best efforts to manage the spread of the virus and live and work with COVID-19," Hon. Malone warned.

He stated that for local authorities, managing these risks primarily involves ongoing efforts to build the capacity of the health system to prevent, detect, contain and manage the spread of the virus while carefully balancing social and economic considerations.

The Minister highlighted the presence of a contingent of Medical Professionals from Cuba and that the Ministry of Health and the BVI Health Services Authority have been working with the support of various partners to enhance Health Services Infrastructure and associated equipment.

He stated that work is underway at the Major Peebles Wing to improve primary health care delivery in an environment which meets the “New Regular” standards. Construction on the ground floor is progressing through a joint venture between Quality Construction and KM Construction. A timeline of 3-months is projected and works are on schedule with no delays expected.

"Works are also programmed to enhance the laboratory infrastructure and procure equipment to allow the laboratory to effectively deliver clinical and public health functions as well as meet physical and equipment accreditation requirements. Additional works will provide the appropriate infrastructure and equipment to serve as an effective out-patient clinic in the "New Regular" and to convert the facility to a stand-alone isolation unit for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases that would otherwise surpass the capacity of the existing Hospital," Hon. Malone explained.

He stated that bids were issued on 17 July 2020 for these two projects with submission by 14 August 2020; however, the submission deadline was extended to 24 August 2020 to allow for additional contractors to respond given the low number of responses. The timeline for the award of contracts is projected to be the second week of September 2020.

"While these investments in health infrastructure, personnel, equipment and supplies are vital components of our Strategy, the most crucial element is the behaviours and practices that each of us engage in to keep ourselves and others safe," the Minister shared.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×