BEACHES TO REMAIN OPEN TO PUBLIC SAYS MINISTER! DEBUNKS FLYER SENT OUT BY NATIONAL PARKS TRUST TO GIVE TOURISTS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS

Minister for Natural Resources, Labor and Immigration, Honorable Vincent Wheatley has announced that beaches will remain open to the BVI public despite requests from a cruise company to have it open only to their passengers and a flyer circulating from the National Parks Trust that suggests otherwise. The flyer posted to the National Parks Trust … Continued

GOVERNOR URGING RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED FOLLOWING SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES

Following the plight of positive COVID-19 cases in the British Virgin Islands Governor John Rankin is urging residents to rise beyond their fears and get vaccinated. Governor Ranking made the statement on Wednesday June 30, after the territory COVID-19 positive active cases had risen from 13 to 49 cases. He said, “I am speaking to … Continued

BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM IN RVIPF FRUSTRATING NEW TOP COP

Commissioner of Police Mark Collins has said that the bureaucratic structure within the Royal Virgin Islands Police is very frustrating and needs to be reviewed. Commissioner Collins was speaking during the Commission of Inquiry (COI) where he revealed that the bureaucratic nature of the force is stalling a number of initiatives that are urgently needed … Continued

REDUCTION IN THE $35 BVI GATEWAY APPLICATION FEE FOR FULLY VACCINATED PERSONS BEING DISCUSSED – PREMIER FAHIE

Premier Andrew Fahie has hinted at a further reduction in the BVI Gateway fee for vaccinated persons in the near future. The premier made the statement during a recent tourism media conference after questions on the topic was posed by 284 Media. The current fee for vaccinated persons is $35, a reduction from the previous … Continued

TROPICAL STORM ELSA FORMS IN THE ATLANTIC, TS WARNING ISSUED FOR BARBADOS, ST. LUCIA, MARTINIQUE; IN USVI, WIND AND RAINFALL A POSSIBILITY

VI CONSORTIUM The rapidly growing weather system in the Atlantic has developed into Tropical Storm Elsa as it barrels toward the Windward Islands and southern Leeward Islands. A tropical storm warning has been issued for St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Martinique by the National Hurricane Center, and N.H.C. said in its … Continued

49% OF MONIES PAID IN FARMERS STIMULUS GRANT PROGRAMME RECEIVED BY UNREGISTERED FARMERS – AUDITOR GENERAL

Approximately 49 percent of the monies paid out in the Farmers Stimulus Grant Programme which totaled more than $1.4 million was awarded to persons who were not registered in the Agriculture Database of Registered Farmers.  This is according to an audit report submitted by the Auditor General Sonia Webster in the ongoing Commission of Inquiry … Continued

49 CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED & MORE EXPECTED AS BVI SEES SURGE

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is urging the community to take precautions following a significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the Territory. Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronald Georges confirmed that there are currently 49 confirmed cases with more cases expected as contact tracing continues. “The team lead by National Epidemiologist Ms. Harmonie … Continued

BVI RECEIVES STRONG BACKING AT UN DECOLONIZATION MEETING

The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has received strong backing by the United Nations (UN) Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) regarding the self-governance of the Territory and its right to self-determination at the recently concluded session of the C-24 at UN Headquarters from 14th – 25th June 2021. In addressing the question of the British Virgin … Continued