Premier Fahie said during a Live Update on Phase II Reopening of the Territory’s Borders that the Gold Seal COVID-19 Training has a total of 3,278 registered participants to date from across various subsectors of the tourism industry.

“We look forward to all persons being trained and certified,” he said.

The Premier added, “This is an important step as the Gold Seal certification will help us to establish controls in terms of ensuring that both visitors and residents are kept safe and are not put at risk.”

The Premier further stated that he is looking forward to the Virgin Islands being certified as a destination, inbound and domestic transport operators, hoteliers and restaurateurs being certified, among many other subsectors of the tourism industry.

The training courses are divided into three categories: Goal Seal COVID-19 training, Gold Seal Professional Training and Gold Seal COVID-19 Officer training.

The Culinary and Hospitality Studies Department team at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College has designed the Gold Seal certification programme with assistance from the Premier’s Office and BVI Tourist Board to prepare workers to re-enter the Tourism Industry with health and safety at its core in this New Regular of living and working with COVID-19.