Long before the onset of Covid-19, BVI residents have always complained of experiencing shipping stress including delayed, lost or stolen packages along with hefty shipping costs to get products to the Virgin Islands.
As Covid-19 cases continue to spike worldwide, BVI residents are being warned of shipping delays as international offices are severely impacted by Covid-19, with employees contracting the virus.
One company namely Tortola Express has issued a statement to its clients notifying of delays due to Covid-19 cases.
Tortola Express in a Facebook post said, “Dear patrons. We’re sad to inform you that a crazy wave of COVID has struck our Miami team. This started the week before Christmas with a few cases disrupting the week’s operations with many out for testing and safety isolations. Unfortunately, now about half of our Miami team are currently positive despite considerable efforts to distance and separate the team.”
Slower than usual week
The shipping company further stated, “Unfortunately, this means that Miami processing might be slower than usual this week. We are very sorry in advance for the inconveniences and are doing our best to mitigate the problem.”
Our newsroom reached out to other shipping companies namely SNS Shipping and Ezone.
Byron “Chucky” Hodge of SNS Shipping Company said it is business as usual for his company and his Miami office has not been affected by the Covid-19 situation. However, Hodge did say, “shipping delays are due to a high level of passengers coming to the Virgin Islands and as a result cargo is being bumped off.”
Ezone representatives were unavailable for a comment.
More to come as the story develops.