BY THE LEADER OF OUR MAJESTY’S LOYAL OPPOSITION AND DISTRICT 8 REPRESENTATIVE
One of the greatest impacts of Covid 19 on our Territory, has been its impact on Small Businesses and our Economy. This in no way diminishes its impact to the now dozens of Covid positive Virgin Islanders and residents, the passing of our fallen sister, and the shared experiences of their families who have and are still experiencing the devasting health impacts of Covid firsthand.
Like you, I remain extremely concerned about the rise in positive cases of Covid 19 in our Territory. We find ourselves in a tough situation where we must balance concerns of public safety and health which are paramount; with economic decisions which will inevitably determine our trajectory as we navigate what are new and unchartered waters.
While there is no predetermined course of action or handbook for our present situation, I am glad that the Government heeded our many calls to not shut down our Territory completely lest we find that those consequences are even more unmanageable.
While we enjoyed returning to some semblance of normalcy, for a short period under the previous curfew period, we are now where we are, and we respect the decision taken by The Government.
Small Businesses
The new curfew order has created limited hours of work for the majority of our residents, which will place many at an even greater financial disadvantage. l urge the government to give the highest priority to supporting our small businesses and to concentrate on fixing our economy. And by fixing our economy, I am not talking about pretty charts on social media.
Our response to COVID, that is the initial 24hr lock down, and the further ongoing restrictions have taken a serious toll on our businesses’ ability, to make money, pay their employees, and pay their bills.
Across our Territory, many businesses have closed their doors, some temporarily, and others permanently. Many have tried to stay afloat and support their employees with their own personal finances.
Many are still awaiting the promised financial stimulus, either from the Employee Income Support Programme or the Business Support Programme. I know this to be true because many persons and businesses have complained to me personally.
To this end, as a strong advocate for the business community,
- I challenge the Government and its agencies to become more efficient; and ensure that our businesses receive their much needed financial help immediately! It has been far too long!
- I admonish the Government to consult with and engage the business community. We need not detract from the incremental gains they have made post lockdown.
Use this opportunity to understand their needs. Let them tell you what areas they need support in. Let them tell you what hours work best for their businesses. Demand what health and safety protocols you need from them. Exact strong enforcement measures when they do not adhere. Develop a constructive partnership that will not only facilitate the continued viability of their business, but also help to ensure that they are able to deliver on the Territories health objectives.
- I demand that the process is not only efficient, but that it is fair and transparent, and that relevant information is reported and accounted for publicly.
It remains without question that our small business sector remains the life blood of our economy. If nothing else, COVID-19 is living proof to that statement. Therefore, the importance of keeping businesses open cannot be overstated.
I have said this before, but it is worth saying again, if businesses are not able to withstand the impact of COVID-19 and do not come out on the other side of this with their doors open, there will be less economic activity, less paychecks to employees, less contributions to Government’s coffers, less purchases in the economy, less monies circulating, and a sustained decline in our economy.
Taking Stock of our Finances and Economy
At this stage, of almost 6 months of COVID 19, it is imperative that the Government report to the people on the state of the economy. Among the existing mechanisms to monitor and measure the performance of the economy, as well as from all new programmes, we have a wealth of information available.
We need to understand how much our economy has diminished, we need to know how many jobs have been lost, we need to know how many businesses have been closed, we need to know how much our revenues have declined, we need to know how much money we have spent; and the list goes on. And if there are any silver linings, we need to know this too.
More importantly, it is incumbent that we work collectively. Use this empirical data to better manage our finances and
- Implement necessary budget corrections;
- Find ways to cut costs (even if only temporarily);
- Set new priorities for spending;
- Devise, develop and implement new realistic and achievable revenue streams; and
- Negotiate new borrowings and debt reform, to support priority and critical spending.
If there were ever a time that we needed total transparency and unity, it is now.
It is imperative that we work together to re-adjust the Territory’s wider economic course. This is why I have been championing for a longer-term economic plan for our Territory, especially given the realities of COVID-19 and our need to coexist with it, and not shut down and hide, from it. It is critical that in all our plans that our economy remains central. The preservation of life and health is impossible without the preservation and development of our economy.
While I commend the Government for its continued efforts to manage the ongoing crisis, I found it to be totally irresponsible for this administration to announce unsubstantiated information of almost 1,500 undocumented cases of COVID-19 in the public space. A comment that has engender fear and induced panic, in BVI residents.
Additionally, the reported high numbers can create negative perceptions of our residents and the country as a whole…, not only regionally but on the international stage. These perceptions bring into question our ability to mange the virus and create an unavoidable stigma as it relates to the territory as a whole.
I implore, our Minsiter of Health, to ensure our hard working health officials have the necessary support, resources and test kits…, to administer mass testing throughout the entire territory and ascertain accurate data on the territory’s COVID-19 circumstance, based on evidence and, not speculation…. although these suggestions may seem miniscule, they will bring much needed comfort to our population and renewed confidence in our economy.
COVID Recovery Planning
Let me finish by reemphasizing the necessity for the Government to put in place a long term sustainable Covid recovery plan, which among its key focuses is the regrowth and development of the business sector.
I have previously offered a number of suggestions, some specific to sub sectors, others relative to financial stimulus, and other support. The ideas are boundless — from me, other members of the opposition, the business community, the general public, other countries and nations. We just need to commit to the process and apply the resources to achieve it.
Indeed, having a Plan of Action in managing COVID 19, a crisis by its very nature engenders fear. Fear about the unknown, fear about the future whether at a personal level or at the national level.
It is human to be fearful about our wellbeing or the wellbeing of our families and our Territory. It is also human to seek solutions that will reduce or fear and hasten the return of a sense of normalcy to our daily lives and livelihood.
As a community, we must collectively seek to find a strategy to guide and manage such crises with the fundamental objective of rebuilding our collective confidence in the future. The management of crises is essentially a confidence building exercise at its most fundamental level. The antidote for fear driven by a crisis is a well formulated plan of action.
The formulation and communication of a national plan is absolutely critical in fostering such confidence in our community. Our ability to lead and maintain the confidence of our community by creating a sustainable long term plan are the building blocks on which all efforts will be driven to ensure that we get safely out of the woods. And conversely without which we will forever remain deep in the woods, disabled by fear and uncertainty.
A clear and well-articulated national plan will help to restore confidence about the future, enhance our peace of mind, allow us at an individual and collective level to proceed in putting our own plans in place to rebuild our lives and our livelihoods; it will provide a clear road map for what we are to expect and how we are to react as we enter the various stages of this crisis, without panicking ourselves or creating panic in our community.
COVID19 is perhaps the biggest crisis that our territory has faced in its existence and it is inextricably linked to our economic survival. No strategy will succeed that does not face this reality. COVID19 has two powerful legs, one health and the other economic. They are joined at the hips, ignore either one and a national disaster will follow.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I leave you with the hope that this great Territory plans wisely, that we all work together fervently, and that we are restored as a healthy and prosperous Territory. I pray God’s Blessings on each of you and our Territory.