Today’s sitting will mark the first for 2021, as legislators continue to navigate an unpredictable world with COVID-19 on the agenda and the protection of the territory being the key goal.

During the final 2020 sitting on December 31, 2020, legislators passed the COVID-19 Control and Suppression Miscellaneous Provisions Amendment No. 3 Act 2020 which increases fines for those who flout the coronavirus guidelines, in addition to the passing of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (VI Amendment Act).

At the sitting, Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL), said the COVID-19 Control Act is important, given the continued prevalence of the pandemic and the need for strict enforcement of the quarantine order.

VI made several steps to protect territory – Hon Malone

“Mr Speaker, we have learnt of hospitals being overwhelmed by this global pandemic, we have learnt of persons laying in ambulances because there was no space in the institution of which to house them,” he said, noting that the Control Act will ensure the safety of the VI.

The Minister further said that over $45-50M has been redeployed from areas like re-construction of institutions toward the pandemic for food provisions, security, housing, transportation and those efforts cannot be retarded.

Meanwhile, Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) reached out to Attorney General, Hon Dawn J. Smith and President of the Bar Association, Kimberly K. Crabbe-Adams for some context of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (VI Amendment Act); however, no information was provided up to publication time.

Stream & Watch Live

Today's session will be carried live on the House of Assembly YouTube and Facebook page, along with live broadcasts on ZBVI 780 AM, CBN Radio 90.9 FM, CBN-Television and FLOW TV channel 101.