Cabinet approves re-opening of daycares, preschools, summer programmes

• 

Early childhood centres, daycare facilities as well as summer school programmes have been given the proverbial green light to reopen.

In a June 24 statement, Premier Andrew Fahie said Cabinet decided those facilities and programmes would be able to commence operations “subject to the inspection and approval by the Environmental Health Division and in alignment with the Education and Public Health guidelines for their safe operation”.

“As a government, we know that all of the decisions are not always popular. Many of them are tough, but I can assure you that they were made in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands,” the Premier said.

These latest decisions were made amid growing concerns about the state of early childhood education since the pandemic that caused all physical school campuses to close and shift to online classes.

Just a week ago, one parent started a public discussion when she posted on social media that online schooling has not been working for her child.

Play your part

In the meantime, Fahie urged the private sector and members of the public to continue to do its part to help prevent any potential spread of the coronavirus.

“Please continue to wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds. By doing so, you are contributing to keeping us safe and helping our economy. Please continue to remain six feet apart. By doing so, you are contributing to keeping us safe and helping our economy. And, please continue to wear a mask covering your nose and mouth. By doing so, you are contributing to keeping us safe and helping our economy,” he stated.

There are currently no known active cases of the coronavirus in the British Virgin Islands.