The Minister was at the time speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community meeting on Jost van Dyke when he disclosed details of his earlier announcement.

“It's important to realise that most of the cost for quarantine is as a result of the 14-days required. We are examining having that time frame reduced to 7 days,” Hon Malone said.

As part of steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the territory, the VI government had resorted to the use of contracted security officers to strengthen its quarantine efforts, after it was found that individuals were breaking quarantine and putting the VI population at risk.

While the plans are not yet concrete, Hon Carvin Maline said personnel at the Health Emergency Operation Centre (HEOC) will first have to meet with Cabinet to discuss the requirements to get things going.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL) today, October 22, 2020, revealed that government of the Virgin Islands (VI) is considering reducing the 14-day mandatory quarantine requirement to enter the territory, to just 7 days as a cost reduction measure.

Less need for security officers - Hon Malone

However, the Minister revealed that a new approach would lessen the need for physical security.

“With more modern track and tracing efforts we're going to be able to move away from the physical security to one that will have more electronic security so by so doing, the cost will be able to be reduced.”

While the plans are not yet concrete, Hon Malone said personnel at the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) will first have to meet with Cabinet to discuss the requirements to get things going.

“Come next week members of the HEOC will be coming into Cabinet in order to discuss the protocols that will be required, to move the quarantine period from 14 days down to 7 days,” he said.