Residents urged to report travellers who leave quarantine
Health Minister Carvin Malone is urging residents to assist in maintaining public safety by reporting travellers who leave quarantine areas without approval.
The Health Minister’s appeal comes just a day after he told the territory a traveller who tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival in the BVI, left the quarantine area without approval and put at least 16 persons at risk of contracting the virus.
“We are going to make sure that persons understand that if you see something, you have to say something! We cannot afford for any of these persons deemed positive to be out there partying on boats in the harbour, partying here, partying there. It works if everyone will do there part,” Minister Malone said.
Malone also said taxi operators have a role to play in ensuring travellers abide by quarantine protocols. He urged those who transport guests from the airport to quarantine facilities to ensure they take them directly to the entrance of quarantine facilities as promised.
“You cannot drop them [travellers] at the mouth of a driveway for them to take their own bags and walk the rest of the way. It is not the way it is supposed to work. As I mentioned before, $2.5 million spent on security so that is unsustainable in terms of making sure that this is done. We cannot put a security guard at every door,” Malone explained.
Following the recent breach of quarantine protocols by the tourist who tested positive for COVID-19, Premier Andrew Fahie said he will be lobbying to have the maximum fine for breaches increased to $20,000.
The Premier scolded the actions of the tourist, adding that such actions could have easily reversed the many months of progress made by residents who have complied with the COVID-19 measures.
“We are going to make sure that persons understand that if you see something, you have to say something! We cannot afford for any of these persons deemed positive to be out there partying on boats in the harbour, partying here, partying there. It works if everyone will do there part,” Minister Malone said.
Malone also said taxi operators have a role to play in ensuring travellers abide by quarantine protocols. He urged those who transport guests from the airport to quarantine facilities to ensure they take them directly to the entrance of quarantine facilities as promised.
“You cannot drop them [travellers] at the mouth of a driveway for them to take their own bags and walk the rest of the way. It is not the way it is supposed to work. As I mentioned before, $2.5 million spent on security so that is unsustainable in terms of making sure that this is done. We cannot put a security guard at every door,” Malone explained.
Following the recent breach of quarantine protocols by the tourist who tested positive for COVID-19, Premier Andrew Fahie said he will be lobbying to have the maximum fine for breaches increased to $20,000.
The Premier scolded the actions of the tourist, adding that such actions could have easily reversed the many months of progress made by residents who have complied with the COVID-19 measures.
