Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Wheatley Slams Penn For ‘Politicizing’ COVID-19

Wheatley Slams Penn For ‘Politicizing’ COVID-19

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour, Immigration and Social Security Hon. Vincent Wheatley has slammed Leader of the Opposition Hon. Marlon Penn for what he said is a politicizing of COVID-19 in the British Virgin Islands.
Hon. Penn, along with his Opposition colleagues recently called out the Hon. Andrew Fahie-led administration for their strict protocols for the reopening of the territory’s borders from December 1, to international travellers.

Speaking to the issue on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, while being interviewed on the Honestly Speaking Radio Programme by host Claude Skelton Cline, Hon. Wheatley said: “Hon. Marlon Penn could do better because he knows that politicizing it is not going to help anybody.”

Wheatley added: “He may gain some political points, but at what expense? At what expense? It’s not worth it. There are no points to be gained.”

Meanwhile, the minister reminded residents of the Territory that the virus is unprecedented.

“There is nobody to turn to; we are all in this together. There is no playbook! Everybody feels like they have the answer, ‘oh, you all should do this! oh, you all should do that!’ Everybody has tried all those things and have failed. One of the things the Premier is very adamant about is we are not going to open to close back down! We cannot afford that; it is more expensive to do that to reopen again a second time, so we have to be super, super cautious,” he remarked.

In the same breath, Minister Wheatley said he understands the frustration of the people.

“I understand the plight of persons who might have not worked for the last six months, businesses haven’t made money for the last eight months, that is the reality on the ground. That is not politics!”

He also reminded persons who seem to believe that the territory is all clear of the dreaded virus, that “we are not out of the woods, we are way, way in the woods still!”

There are currently no reported cases of COVID-19 in the Territory.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×