HEOC to advise Cabinet on protocol adjustments today
Health Minister Carvin Malone has said the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) is expected to offer recommendations today for adjustments on the territory’s existing health protocols.
Malone stated that the territory “will be opening up while others are closing down”.
The minister gave that indication in response to a local resident’s Facebook post about government’s plan for the territory’s fight against COVID-19.
“We the people of the VI tired of this nonsense. This doesn’t make sense. People are out of work or taking a severe impact on revenues,” the resident said in a Facebook post which garnered more than 100 responses and elicited a comment from Malone.
Previously, Premier Andrew Fahie said the government’s plan is for persons to get vaccinated. Since then, he has continued to urge vigilance and vaccination as tools against the spread of COVID-19.
At its peak, more than 1,600 persons had contracted COVID-19 at one stage, while there have been more than 30 COVID-related deaths, health officials said.
Health officials were also struggling to meet the demands of testing and treatment during the outbreak, and had placed calls for volunteers and retired nurses to assist.
But hundreds of businesses have been shuttered for weeks since the BVI government instituted a series of curfew orders to help combat community spread of the coronavirus which started in late June.
In the most recent curfew order that will run from August 6 to August 20, all restaurants and other similar businesses can only offer take-out service.
All hairdressing salons, barbershops, gyms, bars, clubs, entertainment establishments, waxing studios, spas and massage parlours must remain closed through to August 18, 2021.
Thanks for your patience
But a palpable frustration has seeped into several quarters, with persons, including those directly impacted by the curfew and unable to earn any monies for the last few weeks seeking answers.
Several pointed out that the BVI is at the peak of its hurricane season and hundreds are unprepared given the lack of earnings in recent weeks.
Others said the beginning of the new school year is weeks away but there’s been no indication from government on what format – whether online or in-person schooling – the new school year will take.
In his response, Malone said: “Thanks for your patience but you must admit that 1,604 active cases; 35 deaths; hospital to capacity; uncooperative night lifers … I don’t give a darn persons will call for action. We’re getting hit from all directions.“
According to the Health Minister, decisions will continue to be based in science and professional advice.
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Shouldn’t they have advised you before you extended the curfew again?
35 deaths !?
It is breathtaking disrespect to the dead and the living that no figures are published as to infections, hospitalizations and deaths. Malone thinks it’s ok just to casually drop these figures out on whatever “ radio show “ he happens to be on.
It gets more like some third world disaster every day.
now at 37
Adjustments for what!!! Businesses spent time and money to adhere to protocols, all govt need to do is ENFORCE THEM!!!!!!!
@nonsense a thats the problem businesses quick to cry out fowl and blame government when they the owners and workers not enforcing the protocol now who feeling it not you to owner and workers stop allow persons to enter your business without following the rules simple either they do or they dont enter. Start protecting your investment.
The recent deaths from COVID-19 are extremely concerning as to how deadly this virus is. The protocols are in place and SOME people are adhearing to them. COVID is not going away anytime soon. We need to open up and be stringent on the protocols to make the economy work. The government is closing business but no compensation to them. So many job losses and so little revenue being spent in the restaturants, Supermarkets, etc. We need to live alongside COVID and prevent the deaths.
If you want to keep putting us under curfew start fining the people breaching the protocols and then we will be a strong place again. You have the power just dont keep expecting business to keep closing and you do nothing to help. How can a facebook post be the reason a government changes their policy. It shows they are out of touch with the people and how much they are hurting.
Then again, this is a Government that announces it’s policies via Facebook!!!
Living with Covid will require serious thought and a vaccine strategy – in short – political leadership. No evidence of this so far. Unfortunately our leaders are bereft of ideas, caught in the headlights of the pandemic, lurching blindly from one quickfix to the next, now hosing more money at consultants, to whom they hope to outsource responsibility. This is a national disgrace.
I realize that the government is asking us to be vigilant and yes we are vigilant.Always remember that there is two sides to everything.Good or bad,right or wrong,live or die.Since only one side of the vaccination is being pushed,what happened to the adverse side if the vaccines that is taken place right now in the BVI? The Heath Ministry have not spoken or put up any warning about potential adverse reactions. People all over the BVI are experiencing them but are affraid to speak.Please whoever is incharge, be transparent and honest and dont put your people in harms way.The one true God,the creater of all things is watching.Before making desions,put GOOD over evil.
Open up the Country.. These young Athletes are allow to work and make millions while displaying their talents to the world.. Much respect to Japan, never bow or bend from all the pressure to cancel……
The big question if the freedom to choose. COVID IS HERE TO STAY, it is not going anywhere. So you choose what direction you will go.
1) Vaccinate and protect yourself from severe infection and death even nay-sayers warn about side effects which I have not seen severe enough in the billions of vaccines given worldwide to be concerned about.
2) Live healthy, exercise and adhere to protocols and self-isolate.
Whatever you chose you will live with the consequences. But it is time to move on and not cripple the life of others with your decision.