Tourists can ‘swim around their boats’ during 4-day quarantine

Virgin Islands Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie said during the first 4-day mandatory quarantine period after tourists arrive in the Virgin Islands (VI), they can swim but they will not be allowed to intermingle with the public.

The Premier was at the time speaking during the debate of the ‘COVID-19 Control and Suppression (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2020’ at the Third Sitting of the Third Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) at the Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, on Wednesday, November 25, 2020.

“I’m hearing persons trying to push me that they have persons coming on boats and they want them to go here and allow them to go there, they can't spend 4 days on the both alone... Swim around the boat!” Hon Fahie said.

Urging tourists to jump in the sea and pass time while under quarantine, he further said, “If you have a bubble area make sure it doesn't involve getting in contact with anybody and if we aren’t sure about that, let's reassess it.”

Gov’t won’t put public at risk for ‘lawless people’ – Premier

The Leader of Government Business reiterated that he, nor his administration will buckle to pressure from businesses and persons seeking permission to flout COVID-19 health guidelines put in place for the reopening of VI’s tourism sector.

“I cannot put the majority of the people's lives in the Virgin islands at risk for a few lawless people or some person who just want to make the money and still don’t be fair to their employees, I will not do it!” he said.

As part of the December 1, 2020, entry protocols, all travellers arriving in VI, inclusive of citizens, Belongers, permanent residents and work permit holders, will be required to pay just $175 per person in associated costs and undergo a mandator 4-day quarantine.

The $175 inclusive cost will cover a traveller app, monitoring bracelet and two COVID-19 tests once on VI soil, as part of major adjustments to the re-opening strategy.

#COVID-19 #Covid

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