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 Facebook page stated “On days when cruise ships are in port, The Greater Baths National Park will be closed to residents and other non-cruise ship guests between 9am-2pm. The park will reopen once the necessary cleaning and sanitization procedures have been undertaken.”
Minister Wheatley has since responded, strongly dismissing the claims.
“Despite many requests by Cruise Lines to have beaches open only to them, the Government of the Virgin Islands has never and will never agree to this as all beaches are public. This decision was made a long time ago and all Government members were made aware of it.”
MINISTER SHOCKED AT FLYER RELEASED BY NATIONAL PARKS TRUST
The Minister expressed disappointment in the flyer being circulated to indicate otherwise.
“I find it quite unfortunate that a flyer should come out saying differently. Despite all efforts to have it corrected in a timely manner, the debacle was allowed to escalate no doubt causing great harm to our reputation. The matter has since being rectified by the relevant Department. In such difficult and uncertain times we all have to work together for the betterment of the BVI.”
Honourable Wheatley said, “As a Government, we will continue to make decisions that will keep a balance between protecting lives and livelihoods.”
Residents are perplexed as to why the messaging sent out by the overseeing minister and the National Parks Trust is not cohesive.
One resident said “There is a serious need for more synergy and communication.”