The US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico — both territories of the United States (US) — have relaxed their COVID-19 protocols in recent weeks in accordance with changes made on the US mainland.

“One thing I have learned with leadership is that you do have to look and see what’s happening around you, but you also have to weigh it against your own situations,” the Premier said at a recent press briefing when asked about lifting restrictions locally.

“We have learned to live and work with COVID-19, but we also have to bear in mind that it’s not over,“ he added.

Premier Fahie argued that, as a small territory faced with many challenges, his government has to continue to move towards what is in the best interest of the territory overall.

He further pointed out that the BVI has already adjusted many COVID-19 restrictions and said only a few measures remain in place at the moment
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According to the Premier, he would not completely disband all COVID measures without an analysis from the Ministry of Health and the Chief Medical Officer.

He continued to urge people to become vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and to take their booster shots so that his government might be able to mitigate against the virus and be able to lift more restrictive measures currently in place.

“With that in mind, the Minister of Health and his team will keep you updated with that. I won’t steal their thunder there but all I’ll say is that we’ll proceed and move with haste, but yet take our time,” Premier Fahie stated.