Minister of Health and Social Development, Hon. Carvin Malone, has announced that Virgin Islanders residing overseas will be able to return in one month’s time in a staggered approach.
The Minister said that, post-lockdown, the borders will remain closed to incoming passengers; however, BVI Citizens will have the opportunity to return after.
He said “after the 30 day period…we would then be able to look in terms of reintroducing our citizens and our belongers into the territory, but this will have to be done in a phased approach so that we can have the proper quarantined time so that we do not retard the progress that we’ve made”
This comes on the heels of many locals being locked out, in light of the Government’s sudden decision to close the borders on March 22nd at 11:59pm. As a result many persons were stuck in other countries, some in transit in the USVI with little to no notice of a border closure.
In one instance, Minister of Education, Natalio Wheatley, was forced to charter 4 students home from coronavirus-prone countries in the region. However, scores of residents complained about not being able to have their family home in such a crucial time.
There have been growing concerns on whether Government is legally allowed to lock out its citizens.