The initiative was circulated on social media yesterday, April 28, 2021, after it appeared on Honourable Malone’s social media page.

“61 more jabs and the BVI will reach the 10,000 mark today so let’s make this interesting,” he wrote.

He then said there was an offer of ‘free lunch’ with a maximum of $20 for the first 61 persons who showed up for their first dose of the vaccine “on any island or yacht within the BVI.”

“WhatsApp your name and photo, taking your first jab to 441-0332. The first 61 photos received will be entitled to free lunch at a restaurant of your choice anywhere in the BVI ($20 limit).”

The minister, during a Facebook live forum to discuss the Waste Management Strategy that is proposing to reform the way waste is being managed in the territory, addressed the issue briefly.

“In terms of the vaccine, I will be giving a full statement tomorrow at the House of Assembly, but just to give you a summary, we were able to receive 34,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Today we actually threw out a challenge because we know that we are close to the 10,000 mark. The Virgin Gorda figures are not in as yet, but without the Virgin Gorda figures we have 10,034 first time doses, 617 second doses so a total of 10,651. So we have been able to meet our goal in terms of the 10,000.

“This was not as some has speculated a bribe to get anyone. We have to reopen our economy, we have to make sure that all is done in terms of following the protocols, and this is the science that is offered to us in terms of how we get through this, but I say congratulations to all those who did the right thing. They went, and they got themselves vaccinated voluntarily; we don’t support any mandatory of this,” he added.

The 'jab and dine' initiative was circulated on social media yesterday, April 28, 2021, after it appeared on Honourable Carvin Malone’s social media page.

COVID-19 cases stand at 2

Meanwhile, the health minister disclosed that recorded COVID-19 cases in the VI have been reduced.

“I would just like to praise persons as to where we are as it relates to COVID-19 infrastructure. We still have 194 cases total, there were no new cases that we would report; in fact, we have two additional recoveries, so the total active cases are now down to two. We have 191 recoveries, and we have one untimely death.”

Hon Malone reminded residents to continue to be vigilant in observing all of the COVID-19 protocols.