Three new positive COVID-19 cases and 3 new recoveries

Three new positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded in the British Virgin Islands while three patients have also recovered from the virus.

This is according to the latest statistics issued by the Minister for Health Carvin Malone in his live COVID-19 update on Wednesday, September 16.

During the minister’s speech which lasted approximately 17 minutes, he did not explicitly state that the territory had recorded new positive cases.

He only said: “The total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the territory now stands at 69. Sixty-four were on Tortola and five on the island of Anegada,” the minister stated.

During the minister’s previous update on September 11, he reported that the total number of cases at the time was 66.

BVI News contacted the health minister following today’s (September 16) live broadcast and he confirmed the three new cases.

Cabinet Decisions – increase in gathering sizes

In the meantime, Minister Malone also revealed a number of the Cabinet decisions to accompany the new 14-day 5 pm to 5 am curfew that came into effect today.

These decisions include the increase in public gathering sizes from 10 persons up to 30 while the maximum gathering size for faith-based organisations such as churches is 50.

It was decided that freight couriers and charter companies are now permitted to operate between the BVI and USVI subject to strict adherence of the established COVID-19 suppression measures and fortnightly tests.

In addition, domestic air travel services are once again allowed to operate between Tortola, Virgin Gorda and Anegada once in accordance with existing COVID-19 protocols.

Restricted movement of vessel

Malone who is also the Territorial At Large Representative further said restrictions are still in place for the movement of private and commercial vessels domestically.

These include fishing vessels, inter-island ferries, provisioning barges and other vessels in exceptional circumstances who must all seek approval by the governor who consults with the Agriculture and Fisheries minister.

The Cabinet also decided that a person is allowed to operate a vessel for the purpose of essential safety of maintenance repairs.