Further delays in reopening seaports reflects poorly on BVI
Opposition Leader Marlon Penn said the constant ‘false starts’ for the reopening of the BVI’s seaports stem from the Fahie administration’s lack of planning and reflects poorly on BVI.
Yesterday, the BVI Ports Authority announced that the reopening of the Road Town Ferry Terminal to international traffic was again deferred; this time to April 15.
Among the reasons given was the insufficient number of medical personnel available to screen incoming visitors. Another reason outlined was the rise in COVID-19 cases in Caribbean countries from which tourist travel to the BVI.
In a press release Thursday morning, Penn said: “The government first announced a reopening date for our seaports of December 8. The reopening was delayed to January 21, and then a further delay of March 1 was announced. However, as the March 1 deadline is drawing near, we are now receiving reports that the reopening has a further delay of April 15.”
“To date, we have not received any updates or any information on the progress, processes and/or logistics of how the reopening of the ports will be managed; leaving us to infer that a reopening in the near future may not be forthcoming,” the Opposition Leader
further said.
Penn also bemoaned the effects this extended closure of local seaports is having on the sister islands of Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, and Virgin Gorda — all of which are heavily dependent on tourism.
“We continue to see the disturbing effects these delays have on business owners who have had to make the unfortunate decision to close their doors or operate at minimal capacity; such as Quito’s, Top of the Baths and others,” Penn said.
He also stated that the extended closure of the seaports is causing damage to the territory’s global reputation.
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Well, that does it! I am cancelling my trip to the BVI. Hello USVI. Here I come. BVI, you will continue to miss out on tourism dollars. So sad.
Ndp did a poor job after Irma. Vip doing a better job with corona. How many people die after Irma? A lot die from stress. How many people die from corona. This clown talking pure fkrey. He can’t follow a simple delay imagine the devil get in. All you don’t forget ndp listen to ndp only. Just pure fkrey.
You all keep going back in time just keep it up
I blame witchcraft, evil cats, and potholes
we must remember that this administration has been doing an excellent job to keep us the people safe. while the other Caribbean countries daily are loving their love ones due covid-19. Instead of looking as delay in a negative light. Let Thank God for first and the administration for the vision in keeping us safe.
You fake Christian..we have been robbed from our freedom, our businesses have been decimated , our children have been taken out of school – now tell me about your blessings Fake Prophet..
What does safety mean when you can’t buy groceries?
Money not important you say? Say that to the supermarkets selling food.
It sounds like you are financially secure, sadly we have many people from all walks of life here in the bvi who are struggling while the usvi are having one of their best seasons ever and keeping covid under control.
Huge amount of our bvi business is now in the usvi.
Its embarrassing how we have messed all our tourists around they bring revenue and food to the table, extending port opening dates many times is just a confirmation that we are flying blind.
PLEASE, at least let private ferrys check in to bvi and bring something to the island, surely it cant be that difficult.
yours a struggling crewed charter employee.
Raise your hand if you’re in total shock that the Ferry is not opening. The Foy is a bad joke for the Territory. Let’s wait to announce on Thursday that you’re not opening Monday. Well we all knew this was coming. Just more verification of incompetence. No problem in keeping it closed. Just grow a pair and step up like a man and announce it weeks before. Not 3 days before.
It absolutely reflects poorly on the Fahie administration, NOT on the BVI. You’re going through a period of terrible management, that’s all. Those of us who love the BVI know that this isn’t the will of the people. Stay strong and get rid of that crook.
Where is the Governor in all of this mess this is ridiculous now man
IT REFLECTS VERY POORLY ON THE BVI. WHY NOT ASK THE GOVERNOR OF ST.THOMAS FOR SOME ADVISE ON HOW HE MANAGE TO OPEN HIS COUNTY. IT IS TIME TO STOP BLAMING EVERYTHING ON COVID. WE APPRECIATE AND WELCOME THE TOURIST THAT IS VACATIONING ON ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN AND HELPING PEOPLE TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE. DOWN TO THE COCONUT WATER MAN AND THE TEE SHIRT VENDORS IS DOING PRETTY DECENT.
ST THOMAS CAN’T STOP FLIGHTS FROM COMING IN ONLY THE FAA CAN SHUT DOWN AN AIRPORT SO THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LIFE WITH IT. WE HAVE NO CASES AND 1 DEATH CAN YOU SAY THAT ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES OR ISLANDS INTHE CARIBBEAN NO YOU CANT. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT. WHEN ITS OUR TURN TO REAP THE BENEFITS WE WILL.
Time to escort the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OUT. OUR TOURIST INDUSTRY HAS FLATLINED. NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN. GET EVERYONE AROUND THE TABLE AND COME UP WITH A PLAN AND NO ONE IS LEAVING THE TABLE UNTILL A UNANIMOUS PLAN IS SET
IN PLACE. I AM QUITE SURE IF A PENNY IS MISSING FROM THE BANKS TALLY UP AT THE END OF THE DAY, EVERYONE HAVE TO SIT AND FIND OUT WHERE THE MISSING PENNY IS.
All of the industry leaders, Hotel, Charter Yachts, Retailers have all sent in plans and protocols to adhere to for their sectors and its falling on deaf ears. They are just not ready to open up as they are scared of COVID. Its not going anywhere the best we can do is to take the vaccine and protect ourselves and our family.
The government were asked if they could accommodate 2500 people arriving on the 1st week of december and the answer was yes we are ready. once they closed the ferry port this dropped to 250 people. As too expensive to fly in to BVI $500 per person from St Thomas or PR.
So then the people with vested interest get the accurate date of the people the charter yachts are expecting and you say your ready you had better be ready and not lie to the people. Totally unacceptable.
This government is doing what they want and getting away with it because the opposition is very weak,, Mark is useless, Frazer wants to jump ship, Mitch is all about Mitch,, Only Marlon putting up a fight,,We have to thank God for the Governor or this government will take all our money then kill us,,, they wicked and heartless
We tried. We really tried to get there and support the economy. This would make the 6th time we need to rebook everything. It’s not about the expense of complying, it is the unknown whim of the government. Saving the population from Covid is admirable. The ensuing economic depression being foisted upon the public is unconscionable. Ministers and directors need to suspend their pay and live as everyone else does. Then they will truly balance the needs of the people.
BLAME ALL HEALTWORKERS AND CITIZENS/LOCALS WHO DO NOT WANT TO BE VACCINATED. GOODLUCK.
UNLESS 80% ARE VACCINATED, DO NOT OPEN THE PORT.
Stop talking crap. Open up the Ports in a controlled way. For the persons who don’t want to be vaccinated that’s their choice. You all cannot be forcing this on people like it’s their fault. Open up the Ports in a controlled manner. Being vaccinated doesn’t totally protect you, you still have to follow protocols. Open up the Ports.
Another sad day in the BVI. The excuses the ports provided are so elementary. A 2 year old would have come up with something better. This is what happens when you put people in positions they are not qualified for. Get better leadership at the Ports, better yet higher from outside if you need to, but put someone in charge of the Ports who understands business. Our livelihood is at stake. Fire all these Boards NOW. They have failed the country miserably. Premier, the chickens roosting.
even getting the mega yachts back would have been a start. They are loving Grenada, Grenadines, SXM, St Barth, Antigua right now. such small numbers and hardly difficult to quarantine on. fair enough the cruise ship need to be held off for some time.
If we don’t even take steps to vaccinate, which would allow us to open up and leap from the back of the pack to the front, what hope do we have?
as other say, experienced professionals have submitted risk management proposals which have been refused because of politics, xenophobia and racism instead of seen for what they are; emotionally and financially invested people try to help and do what’s good for the BVI
Why did they bother rebranding the ports and rolling out new uniforms for immigration when they are not intending on opening up even in a controlled way. There are so many ways to open up slowly and carefully but this government doesn’t give two hoots about local business, or people starving. Get off the campaign trail Fahie and your ministers, and start governing properly. What a joke this administration is.
I don’t want to believe this but I am beginning to. I am starting to think that this government has some master plan to close down all businesses and then create some state controlled North Korea like communist regime.
If you check the new business bill and their actions in doing their best to bankrupt the tourist industry you might think so.
Lates casualty: Bananakeet closed and up for lease.
Them need to get their nonfunctioning, not RELEVANT, dolly house self out!!
How can we go on without jobs and money? Still people without the first stimulus $$. No money for months and months and months. People are suffering badly. And they are keeping borders closed and adding more tax/expenses to people already suffering badly.
We are about to have more people on the streets begging and some suffering from depression,stress as yet again they can’t feed their families and pay their rent . We have been patient we have spent our last to prepare our small locally own business ready for yet another opening and once again no opening. What are we to do the bills are piling our children want s to quit school because the online learning experience has died and going to school once a week is not helping. What were we to do Lord ??? we need your help this is too much to bear.