Effective Wednesday, June 15, residents will no longer be mandated to wear masks in public and day-trippers will no longer be required to provide a negative test upon entry into the British Virgin Islands.
This was confirmed by the Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon Penn during a COVID-19 update today Monday, June 13.
He said Cabinet met on Wednesday, June 8, and decided to further ease the COVID-19 restrictions in the territory following a meeting with the Health Emergency Operations Centre.
“With effect from the 15th of June 2022, the wearing of face masks or face coverings, whether indoors or outdoors, will no longer be mandated by law, but will be allowed as a matter of choice in public spaces,” he stated.
Establishments can institute mask policy
Penn also disclosed that despite the removal of the mask mandate, businesses will have the authority to institute a mask-wearing policy if they please.
He said, “Even as this mask mandate is being lifted, any private establishment or service provider may institute its own policy mask-wearing. The same will apply to the Public Sector, and the Deputy Governor will develop a policy on the areas where mask-wearing will still be required, such as in agencies providing health and social care, border protection services, and other front-facing departments where the risk of exposure is higher.”
Category of people strongly encouraged to wear masks
The health minister also strongly encouraged a select category of individuals to wear a mask or face covering.
These include persons who are positive for COVID-19, close contacts of positive cases and persons in a mass gathering or in communal transportation.
BVI Gateway Portal no longer required
Meanwhile, Minister Penn also informed the public that regardless of vaccination status, all persons traveling to the territory effective Wednesday will no longer be required to register for entry clearance on the BVI Gateway Travel Portal.
Tourists will also no longer be required to show proof of travel insurance.
Day trippers
Penn also had exciting news for day-trippers, revealing that they will no longer be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test to enter the BVI.
He said, “Day-trippers – meaning travelers who had been away from the Territory for less than 24 hours, or persons remaining in the territory for less than 24 hours – will no longer need to present a COVID-19 test result upon arrival.”
Minister Penn however informed the public that all other travelers entering the territory – regardless of vaccination status – will still be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result no older than 48-hours.