“I think it’s the only way you’re going to bring people close to doing the things they need to do, so I have no problems with that,” Hon Fraser had said in an Opposition a press conference on Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

Even as the Territory is on a 14-day 5:00 am -5:00 pm partial lockdown, there are now 38 active COVID-19 cases and Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) announced last evening August 30, 2020, that the Territory could move into another 14-day, 24/7 lockdown pending Cabinet approval.

He said the move was decided by a majority of legislators in the House of Assembly (HoA) at an emergency meeting, however, he did not say who objected or supported the plan.

Co-exist with virus – Hon Penn

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Hon Marlon A. Penn (R8), at Wednesday's Opposition press conference, had urged the Government to find a way to co-exist with COVID-19 and strike a balance between health and safety and the business community, in order to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the economy.

At that time the Territory had just 21 active COVID-19 cases, however, it remains unclear if Hon Penn voted for or against the 24/7 lockdown at yesterday's virtual HoA meeting.

Premier Fahie said Cabinet will decide on the lockdown by this afternoon, August 31, 2020, where a majority of the Cabinet members are already Members of the HoA and then an announcement will be made by the Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Carvin Malone (AL).

According to the Virgin Islands Constitution, Order 2017, the VI Cabinet consists of the Premier, four other Ministers and one ex officio member, namely the Attorney General and is Chaired by the Governor, a non-member.