Addressing the reopening ceremony at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island on November 30, 2020, Mr Smith said this is evident in the changes that have taken place at the airport ahead of the reopening of the territory, today, December 1, 2020, to international travellers.

Elevating to global standards

He said the BVIAA is striving to meet global standards and to be on par with ‘every international airport in the world.’

He explained: “There are a number of services that we are putting into play; we have the new commercially important persons (CIP) room, we have a new website and the platforms that we are putting in place are based on high technology and low touch.

Our new website gives travellers detailed travel protocols; you would be able to purchase lounge access, you would be able to purchase service and those of you that want to be all members to sharing the experience with us whenever you travel we have a special part of that page that is geared specifically for you.”

“We want everyone to feel and to understand that the BVIAA is moving. We are progressing, we are moving, we are innovating, and we are delivering, most importantly,” he pointed out.

Mr Smith said persons utilising the airport’s washroom facility would also notice a change.

“You can go into the bathroom, do your business and you wouldn’t have to touch anything because we are serious about keeping the pandemic at bay and the BVIAA will not and cannot be a breeding ground for COVID-19.”

On the eve of the reopening of the territory on December 1, 2020, Acting Managing Director of the BVI Airport Authority (BVIAA) Mr Clive Smith said the authority is playing its part in keeping the Novel Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19, at bay.

Welcome centre '2nd to none'

He continued: “To help to illustrate how serious we are about moving the airport forward and fighting this global pandemic, we have built a welcome centre second to none. Complete with four testing stations, a sitting area capable of holding 70 people socially distanced, we are prepared and we are ready to propel you into this global fight against COVID-19.”

Smith said they broke ground for the centre on October 28, 2020, and as of yesterday, the building was 98 per cent complete.

“So in one month, we were able to build a foundation, put up the walls, put on a roof and get the building ready for the opening tomorrow. That is not an easy feat, and it was done with our people, our fellow Caribbean brothers. The guys as we speak are out there putting on the final pieces, and that is a testament of who we are and what we as a people are capable of,” he remarked.