The spike in recent COVID-19 cases continues to negatively impact the territory’s economy, with the most recent instance being the cancellation of cruise ship Celebrity Summit which was set to berth in the BVI on Thursday.
The cancellation was confirmed by the BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) on Monday July 12, via a media release.
The BVIPA said the ship was scheduled to call to the Cruise Pier on Thursday July 15, but the alarming number of COVID cases in the BVI resulted in the ship cancelling its call for safety reasons.
“As a result of the high numbers of active Covid-19 cases within the territory the organizations involved agreed that it was in the best interest for all to cancel the call to port. Our cruise guests, crew and community’s safety and well-being are always our top priorities,” the BVIPA stated.
The Ports Authority also assured residents that once the BVI regains low COVID recordings, the cruise ship will recommence its calls to the territory.
“The BVIPA remains hopeful that once the Territory’s cases are controlled that the ship will be able resume its calls in keeping with the original schedule. As we continue working on our cruise comeback, we will continue to update the public and announce returning cruises,” the BVIPA added.
Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the BVI has only managed to receive one passenger cruise ship, which was on July 1, 2021.