Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Restrictions to The Baths lifted!

Restrictions to The Baths lifted!

Director of the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) Dr Cassander P. Titley– O’Neal has disclosed that the restrictions to The Baths to accommodate cruise ship guests have been lifted on the request of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration.

According to an advisory from NPTVI on June 30, 2021, effective Thursday, July 1, 2021, in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, to avoid overcrowding, maintain ‘travel bubbles’, and allow for social distancing to be observed, there will be a limit on the number of persons allowed to visit National Parks at a given time.

“On days when cruise ships are in port, The Greater Baths National Park will be closed to Residents and other Non-Cruise Ship guests between 9:00am and 2:00pm. The park will reopen once the necessary cleaning and sanitisation procedures have been undertaken,” the advisory stated.

According to reports, guests of hotels and yachts were denied access to The Baths this morning, July 1, 2021, which prompted Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) and a few other residents of Virgin Gorda to lead a public protest on the decision.

Director of the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) Dr Cassander P. Titley– O’Neal, left, has disclosed that the restrictions to The Baths to accommodate cruise ship guests have been lifted on the request of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration. Minister Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), right, suggested that the decision there should have never been a restriction in place since the request was already rejected by Cabinet.


‘All beaches public’


The handful of protestors argued that all beaches are public by law and that it is not right to favour the cruise line sector of the tourism industry and make other sectors like the hotels, villas, and charter boats suffer by making The Baths off-limits to them.

Hours after, Dr Titley– O’Neal issued a press release in which she stated that the decision to reserve The Baths for cruise ship guests during a certain time of the day was not made ‘lightly’ and was done to protect all parties concerned, bearing in mind the COVID-19 risks.

The NPTVI said its advisory was by no means intended to upset or alienate anyone from visiting The Baths but 'it was truly a matter of protecting all parties concerned.'


Decision was not taken lightly- NPTVI Director


She said the testing of a shift system of the Greater Baths National Park or any National Park closure carried out in accordance with the Virgin Islands National Parks Act 2006, Part VII Section 49.1. and Virgin Islands National Parks Regulations 2008, Part II Section 3.1, is never a decision that is taken lightly as it is always done as a last resort, having exhausted all other measures.

“Be it unsafe trails, or infrastructure, inclement weather to prevent drownings or any other type of terrestrial or marine incidents, the health and safety of our National Park guests and team members is paramount and crucial to our operation and will never be taken lightly under my Directorship.”

According to an advisory from NPTVI on June 30, 2021, effective Thursday, July 1, 2021, in compliance with COVID-19 protocols, to avoid overcrowding, maintain ‘travel bubbles’, and allow for social distancing to be observed, there will be a limit on the number of persons allowed to visit National Parks at a given time.


‘We shall comply’


Dr Titley-O’Neal also said the NPTVI has been asked by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration “to retract the advisory intend to maintain travel bubbles by implementing a staggered National Park visitation, and we shall comply.”

She said the NPTVI implores all Belongers, Residents, and Tourists alike to continue to practice social distancing, wear a mask, sanitise and continue to adhere to all COVID-19 protocols, while visiting the Greater Baths and all other National Parks as the number of cases in the Territory continue to rise.

“Our advisory was by no means intended to upset or alienate anyone, it was truly a matter of protecting all parties concerned.”

Cabinet had rejected request by cruise company- Dr Vincent O. Wheatley


Meanwhile, Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9), in a press release, said the request to put restrictions to The Baths was previously rejected by Cabinet.

“I wish to assure the public that the information that was on the flyer was a request made by a cruise company which was brought to Cabinet and denied. All beaches are public and should always be accessible to the public.

“This decision was made before the first cruise ship arrived and all members of Government were aware of this decision. As a Government, we will continue to make decisions that will keep a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods.”

According to Hon Wheatley, the Government of the Virgin Islands will continue to safeguard lives as it reboots and revitalises the economy.

The Virgin Islands received its first passenger cruise ship for well over a year today, July 1, 2021.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×