Mandatory quarantine is now free for all persons returning to the British Virgin Islands until October 1ST, 2020.
The announcement was made today by Health Minister, Honorable Carvin Malone who said “persons who return to the BVI and opt to quarantine “ït was deemed to be prudent to look at what amount would be sustainable to persons who may wish to privately quarantine in their own homes, and those who basically would in fact be using government’s facilities.”
“So until September 30th, if you’re using a government facility — no matter your Immigration status or anything — then it will be free to everyone in the government facilities. If you wish to use private facilities, then there is where the $3,500 would come in, no matter the particular Immigration status,” the Minister said.
The highly subsidized fees will benefit both nationals and non-nationals being repatriated to the BVI following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Minister Malone further reiterated that this amnesty will only run for a short period. He said “after September 30th — and you go to October 1st — then there would be an imposed $2,500 for work permit holders and others who may wish to come after because most of the people would have already come in between now and the end of September”
It was initially announced that returnees will be mandated to pay a sum of $6,048 but this was met with contention.
That was followed by Government’s decision to refuse the re-entry of non-nationals on the premise that locals should be afforded first preference with current employment opportunities.
However, many past legislators and community activists spoke out against it, suggesting that a “blanket approach” could socially fracture the community and have far-reaching economic ramifications.
These decisions have now been revised to allow to re-entry of both nationals and non-nationals who are gainfully employed or have legal status in the British Virgin Islands.