Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

Gov Jaspert allegedly refuses 14-day quarantine on return from COVID infected UK!

Gov Jaspert allegedly refuses 14-day quarantine on return from COVID infected UK!

In another move that demonstrates the controversial Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert aka 'Gus' is reckless, his disregard for the rule of law and his normal blatant violations of the Virgin Islands (VI) constitution, even with a few days left on the job, he is allegedly refusing to comply with COVID-19 policies.

Following a new strain of COVID-19 found in the United Kingdom (UK), the Cabinet of the VI agreed that anyone under the approved categories coming from the UK must go through a 14-day quarantine.

Mr Jaspert just returned to Tortola last evening, January 7, 2021, from the UK where he spent his Christmas holidays.

The protocols do not apply to Governor Jaspert?


Sources in the Governor’s office familiar with the issues; however, have told our newsroom that Mr Jaspert is demanding that he only stays “4 days in quarantine”, which is a violation of the Territory’s protocol.

The Officer noted that the outgoing Jaspert can potentially expose staff of the Governor’s Office and other civil servants to COVID-19, even if his PCR test shows negative after the 4 days.

Efforts to get a response from the Governor's Office proved futile up to time of publication.

14-day mandatory quarantine in effect- Hon Malone


Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone (AL), when asked when the 14-day travel requirement for persons with a UK travel history would be effective, said "now in effect".

Hon subsequently released a statement today, January 8, 2021, in the quarantine requirement.

He said the United Kingdom in the protection of its very own citizens has implemented strict curfews and protocols aimed at containing the spread of this new strain which has resulted in lives being affected.

"We have seen where countries surrounding the United Kingdom have closed their borders and have implemented measures to curtail immigration to and from the United Kingdom.

"We have seen where in the Caribbean; a number of countries have already placed bans on visitors coming from the United Kingdom," Hon Malone stated, adding that if we are to protect our citizens, we have to implement whatever measure is required in order to further protect visitors and residents.

"As a result of what is happening globally with this new strain of COVID-19, as a Cabinet, on 7 January, 2021, we decided that effective immediately, all persons approved to travel to the BVI originating or transiting through the Dominican Republic or the United Kingdom are required to undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine on arrival provided they undergo a five-day rt-PCR testing regimen, prior to arrival, and on days 0, 7 and 14.

"We decided in light of the new strain of COVID-19 prevalent in the United Kingdom (UK), to implement a travel ban effective Monday, 11th January, 2021 of persons travelling from the UK to the British Virgin Islands except for Nationals, Belongers, Residents, work permit holders, persons permitted to reside in the Territory, diplomats and persons employed by Government and Statutory agencies."

VI Gov't will not 'endanger' lives


Hon Malone emphasised that the 14-day quarantine for any one coming from the United Kingdom is important "so that we do not endanger the lives and livelihood of the people of the Virgin Islands who is looking to this Government to keep them safe."

He noted that anyone coming from the United Kingdom is required to present a negative COVID-19 test result prior to entry in the Territory of the Virgin Islands.

"Persons are subject to the necessary fourteen (14) day quarantine requirement once arriving in the Territory from the United Kingdom, which is considered a high-risk country.

"In this regard, persons will also be subject to follow-up testing upon arrival in the Virgin Islands, as well as a quarantine exit test at the end of the fourteen (14) day quarantine period."

Everyone must adhere to protocols-Premier Fahie


Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) when contacted on the matter said the Government of the Virgin Islands expects that anyone in authority would adhere to the protocols approved by the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands.

"This is important to protect the safety of the people of the Virgin Islands.

"Together, we have worked very hard to get this Territory to this phase we are at and we will continue to take all precautionary measures to keep us all safe," Premier Fahie said.

Trump-like Governor


Many residents see this behaviour as having no regard for the rule of law or the lives of the people of the VI. One resident, who did not want her name to be used for this article, claimed “it seems like we have another Donald Trump-like person on our hands”.

Many in the political class had wished for the governor not to return; however, some noted he seems like a Donald Trump unwilling to demit office, even as he has become the most unpopular and controversial figure in the VI social and political space.

Some in the media profession have blasted him over the last year for his meaningless press conferences and interfering in the work of the local democratically elected government.

Many residents were concerned that Mr Jaspert, who is a UK civil servant appointed through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, spent over $90,000 on a top of the line Range Rover using taxpayers funds in the middle of a pandemic last year.

His critics have frowned on the spending, nothing that the Territory gets little to nothing from the UK.

Unpopular Governor


Mr Jaspert, who has become unpopular for saying that the Virgin Islands should not expect any reparations for the evil acts of slavery and has defended the keep of names of landmarks named after perpetrators of slavery, torture, murder, rape, plunder and genocide, came to the Virgin Islands in 2017 and had requested an extension for an additional year.

The UK appointed Governor was also accused of interfering with the legislative branch earlier this year when he tried to dictate to the House of Assembly (HoA) to meet so he would not miss the deadline for the laying of the BVI Airways Report in the HoA.

Veteran legislator Honourable Julian Fraser RA (R3) subsequently brought a motion to the HoA seeking to have the Governor reprimanded for the delay of the report; however, the motion was defeated.

Antagonistic Augustus


Meanwhile, Governor Jaspert has also infuriated Government and elected members of the House of Assembly over his reported attempts to cause a strain in the relationship between the elected Government and the electorates.

He also drew backlash when he brought unsubstantiated claims to the public that there were victimisation and irregularities in the civil service.

Further, Premier Fahie suggested in the House of Assembly (HoA) on January 5, 2021, that the Governer has been attempting to bully his government and threatening to not assent to legislation he is not in favour of.

Further, both Government and Opposition legislators at the same HoA sitting were united on the view that the powers of the Governor needs to be limited.

Governor Jaspert will be recalled early this year.

A new Governor for the Virgin Islands has already been announced.


Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie suggested in the House of Assembly (HoA) on January 5, 2021, that the Governer has been attempting to bully his government and threatening to not assent to legislation he is not in favour of.


Hon Malone emphasised that the 14-day quarantine for anyone coming from the United Kingdom is important, 'so that we do not endanger the lives and livelihood of the people of the Virgin Islands who is looking to this Government to keep them safe.'


Both Government and Opposition legislators at the House of Assembly sitting of January 5, 2021, were united on the view that the powers of the Governor needs to be limited.


Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
×