Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

'This is hard but your turn will come soon enough', Premier tells grounded businesses

'This is hard but your turn will come soon enough', Premier tells grounded businesses

As the British Virgin Islands enters its first phase of internal reopening following weeks of a daily 24-hour lockdown, Premier Andrew Fahie is urging business owners who have not yet received approval to operate tp be patient and understanding.

In a late-evening address to the nation on Sunday, April 26, the Premier said every business will eventually get their opportunity.

But until that time comes, they are reminded not to take any chances, despite any temptation.

“Do not go down that road. Your turn will come soon enough – and it will be sooner once we are all working together and abiding with the rules,” the Premier stated. “Let us not be too hasty to push the envelope with COVID-19. This is a phased reopening. We have to start with some businesses and then expand in a systematic way, over time, based on the progress that we make and based on how the international situation evolves. For some whose businesses are not yet cleared for opening, I know it must be difficult.”

“I look forward to a successful first phase of the reopening of business, and the timely graduation to Phase Two in the not-too-distant future,” he continued.


Wearing a protective mask outdoors mandatory

In the meantime, the Premier is imploring residents to be vigilant and adapt to what he termed as the ‘new regular’.

And while noting the daily 6 am and 1 pm window that is now being allowed so residents can leave home to access food, banks and other pre-approved essential services, Premier Fahie said residents must remember that the territory, is ‘not out of the woods yet’.

“That is why we are proceeding in a cautious manner - reopening in phases. We must remain vigilant. We must strictly uphold the guidelines and the protocols that have been laid out for us. These rules were not decided upon by guess. They are informed by scientific data [and] research conducted by qualified professionals and approved by the relevant international bodies,” he stated.

The leader of government business further said the rules are designed to reduce the possibility of other persons in the BVI contracting and spreading the virus.

“Remember, you must wear a face mask that properly covers the nose and mouth area when you leave your home to conduct your business. Please maintain social distancing of six feet apart. Use the hand-washing and sanitising stations that are provided. Wash your hands for 20 seconds and sanitise frequently. While you are all outside, please hold each other accountable to safe practices,” the Premier pleaded.


Beaches are closed!

He also reminded residents that all beaches are closed ‘until further notice’.

He further reiterated that social gatherings must not exceed 20 persons, and if utilising public transportations such as the ferries, taxis and buses, social distancing protocols must be upheld.

“I must urge you to adhere to all the guidelines and regulations because deviating from them can undo all the progress we have made. Let us continue to further limit the impact of COVID-19 on the territory and on all of us. Let us continue to work together because this is the only way to overcome COVID-19,” Fahie said.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×