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Restaurants, bars, nightclubs disregarding health protocols

The government has levied fines and taken remedial action against several restaurants, bars and nightclubs that breached public health protocols over the recent holiday period.

“Investigations have been conducted and a number of these businesses have been placed under additional scrutiny by the Environmental Health Division and the Social Distancing Task Force,” Health Minister Carvin Malone said. 

He appealed to persons who visited these places and developed symptoms of COVID-19 including fever, respiratory symptoms, cough, cold, loss of smell or taste or any symptoms associated with COVID-19 to call 468-2274 and 468-4936, or email [email protected] to schedule a test. 

Workers invited as ‘family members’

Minister Malone reported that the government has also become aware that a number of persons are utilising the entry procedures to import exotic dancers and other persons for employment into the territory under the guise of being family members or friends.

“These flagrant episodes of disregard for public safety and the protocols that have been established to ensure protection of lives and livelihoods during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic will not be tolerated,” the Health Minister warned.

He said persons should note that the government recently instituted a number of fines and penalties and expanded the categories of officers designated to administer tickets.

The Minister said the Social Distancing Task Force will also continue to make unannounced visits and will hold persons and businesses accountable.

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25 Comments

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  1. BS! says:

    “He appealed to persons who visited these places …” Which places? It sure would be helpful if we knew that.

    Like 23
    Dislike 2
  2. Pandora's Box says:

    Naturally it is always, and only this group of wicked businesses (not to say they aren’t part of it) – but it could never be about Government departments, churches, gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, or just about EVERYONE else out there! But always you go after the same group over and over again like you are a set of Saints that can do no wrong. At what point does Joe and Jane Public have to take some responsibility for their actions?

    Like 7
    Dislike 9
  3. 1st district says:

    Excuses for another lock down!!

    Like 5
    Dislike 11
  4. concerned citizen says:

    You all always have blows for these people every time they try to look out for the best interest of this country. Some of you are so ignorant.

    Like 12
    Dislike 6
  5. The world in importing vaccines & respirators during COVID says:

    whilst the BVI is importing prostitutes and exotic dancers. Well done BVI!

    Like 26
  6. Bob says:

    Has anyone ever gone to check the exotic dancers for a work permit?

    Like 28
  7. I kno says:

    If it is one thing we are good at, it is turning a blind eye for our friends and our financers. Strip clubs, whore houses,public and private. Drive by sex,hotel sex,old building sex,docked boats sex,and in the bush sex. They are too busy covering up for charges.

    Like 17
    Dislike 2
  8. Really says:

    WTF were the SD squad not out on NYE? Its not like all the bars and resturants with parties didnt advertise the events for weeeeks beforehand.
    Its all BS.

    Like 20
    Dislike 1
  9. Trans says:

    NEED TO SHUT DOWN THE W***es FOR HIRE/WORKING THE POLE CLUBS DOWN.

  10. TruthSayer says:

    I find that to single bars, nightclubs and restaurants is hypocritical. The example of breaking covid-19 protocols was set by the Government of the British Virgin islands when it held Christmas in the City and when the Premier held his party on the festival grounds. Both events lacked social distancing and non-mask wearing. The Government need to lead by example. if you set protocols, you should adhere to them at all times.

    Like 16
    Dislike 3
    • Lol says:

      The belonger doesn’t get the virus if he smokes weed, drinks, bush tea, and doesn’t eat meat.

      I heard it from a government official directly.

      Like 6
      Dislike 2
  11. Hate to say it says:

    THE PEOPLE THAT IS FOLLOWING PROTOCOLS AND DOING EVERYTHING TO PROTECT AND KEEP THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY SAFE, CONTINUE TO DO SO. THE ONES THAT DON’T, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO DIG A MASS GRAVE AND DROP THEM IN AS FAST AS THEY DROP. I USE TO FEEL SORRY FOR THE ONES THAT REFUSE TO FOLLOW PROTOCOLS BUT NOW I DON’T.

  12. Mr. Health Minister says:

    PLEASE CLOSE DOWN THE STRIP CLUBS AND BARS FOR A WHILE. THE ABOVE MENTIONED IS NON ESSENTIAL. IF YOU DRINK, JUST GO TO THE LIQUOR STORE AND BUY WHAT YOU LIKE TO DRINK AND DRINK AT HOME. THE STRIP CLUBS IS MORE LIKELY WHERE THE VIRUS IS. I SAW SOMETHING ON FACE BOOK WHERE A CERTAIN GUY WAS CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY AND A NASTY LOOKING STRIPPER WAS BENDING DOWN LOOKING LIKE SHE WAS GIVING THE DUDE A B*** J**.

    • Yep says:

      SURE DID, THE GUY WITH ALL THOSE KIDS THAT RUN AROUND HERE LIKE HE IS THE KING OF THE BVI. ONLY A NASTY DISGUSTING MAN WOULD ALLOW SOMETHING DIRTY AND NASTY LOOKING LIKE THAT TO TOUCH THEM THEN YOU TAKE THE GERMS TO YOUR KIDS.

  13. BLIND EYE says:

    Why the health minister acting as though he doesn’t know what is happening. I too was shocked to see the amount of events taking place from Christmas until New Year. Villa parties seem to be the I thing now. The social distancing task force is not working. These persons are not out at night patrolling. Besides would you go into an establishment and fine them with all those hoodlums there? No! The BVI is a joke and we will not get better because we are friends with the politicians who has no boundaries.

  14. Agree says:

    Close down the bars and clubs
    Before we all suffer. They
    Had a Chance and Blew it. Once vaccine
    Comes and has proven safe and
    Effective reopen them. If not
    Close schools. You cannot have it all
    As you risk losing it all

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
    • Voter says:

      This suggestion is too extreme. Prosecute the law breakers and leave the law abiding business persons to continue providing for their families.. The alternative is not a good one!!!

  15. Mr. Minister says:

    That is why you should have had your force out there enforcing the laws of the protocal.

  16. I think says:

    Those places do have signs up but its the patrons who were not adhering to it. I also think they bars etc workers did not want to say anything to the patrons because we know when they get two drinks in their head how they does behave. The law enforcers should have been around to make sure these people adhere to the rules in place.

    • @I Think says:

      You are absolutely correct! The law enforcers are cowards and that’s why we are having problems. They want to put the entire responsibility on the shoulders of business owners and their employees which is not fair. The task force and other officers need to patrol and do their damn jobs instead of hiding behind the business people. The law clearly states that individuals are required to follow certain protocols and if clear instructions are visible at the establishments and people are not adhering, then deal with them. The business place needs to ensure that their employees are using proper safety wear, i.e. masks etc., have sanitizer in stock, have running water and do not overcrowd their establishment. You cannot expect employees to monitor every single patron like a little child while trying to carry out their job.

  17. smh says:

    those places are not the only places that are breaching protocols…..call it like it is… stop singling out the fun stuff… talk bour hair salons… talk about supermarkets…. talk about everything if u going talk about the resturants and bars

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