Minister for Health Carvin Malone made that announcement during Tuesday’s media update where he said Cabinet had agreed to those measures recently.

“The COVID-19: Quarantine Exemption Protocols, outlines risk mitigation measures for persons recommended for exemption from quarantine requirements such as aviation, maritime and medical personnel, diplomats and other essential personnel including the judiciary,” Malone stated.

Persons employed in service of the Commonwealth and inter-regional Caribbean organisations, and exceptional essential persons who are approved either by the health minister or the governor will also be exempted from the mandatory requirement, the minister further said.

Testing and self-isolation still required

Despite the exemption, Malone said the aforementioned group of persons will still undergo the necessary COVID-19 testings and follow some of the other established protocols.

“When entering the Virgin Islands, while these groups are exempt from mandatory quarantine, they must register on the BVI GatewayTravel Application, practice self-isolation, and adhere to the various testing requirements outlined in the Quarantine Exemption Protocols,” he stated.

Maximum gathering sizes extended

In the meantime, Minister Malone also said Cabinet had decided to increase the maximum number of persons allowed to gather in public places.

He said the maximum number of persons for all general gatherings have now been increased from 50 persons to 100. He added that the maximum size allowed for outdoor events, graduation and wedding ceremonies, faith-based services and funerals can now be up to 200 persons.

Malone added that persons seeking to host gatherings larger than the maximum allowed quantity will have to seek approval by him as the Health Minister through an application process.

Those applications must be sent to the Ministry of Health & Social Development.