Local legislators want immediate lockdown! Cabinet to decide today

In light of the recent spike in coronavirus cases in the territory, most legislators in the House of Assembly are calling for a more stringent curfew order such as a 24-hour lockdown.

In a statement issued close to midnight] on Sunday, August 30, Premier Andrew Fahie said the public would be informed of a decision on the matter by today, August 31.

He said the decision will follow an informal meeting of the Cabinet.

“The House of Assembly (HOA) held an emergency informal meeting to discuss matters related to COVID-19. All Members of HOA were in attendance on the online meeting,” the Premier explained during his address.

“The meeting was fruitful and concluded with recommendations such as but not limited to an emergency meeting of Cabinet being held to consider options for a more stringent curfew order for the territory to assist in the containment of COVID-19. Other recommendations from the majority of members included but were not limited to the immediate implementation of a new 24-hour curfew of the territory for a minimum of 14 consecutive days,” he added.

More recommendations

In the meantime, Premier Fahie further said discussions were had surrounding using local expertise to temporarily fill any gap while affected police officers are in quarantine and recuperating.

“I thank the HOA members for the healthy discussions and recommendations. We are in this together. Given that HOA has a crucial role to play in managing the affairs of the people of the territory, I saw it fit to inform the public of what is being proposed. I, hereby, request of the public that you be in a state of readiness in the eventuality that Cabinet endorses the recommendations coming out of the informal meeting of the House of Assembly,” Fahie stated.

He continued: “I can assure you that whatever decisions Cabinet makes will be in the best interest and safety of the people of the Virgin Islands. Currently, Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Monday at 4 pm, after which the Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Carvin Malone, will officially inform the public of the decisions taken by Cabinet to combat COVID-19 in the territory.”

There are more than forty confirmed cases of the COVID-19 in the territory and the majority of those cases are active.