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RVIPF rolls out new measures to ward off COVID-19 | Things the public should know

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force has implemented several precautionary measures to safeguard police officers from contracting COVID-19 while in the line of duty.

These include a temporary measure in which members of the public must refrain from physically going to any local police station.

The public, instead, is asked to dial 311 to file a police report or 911 for an emergency. They must also alert the dispatcher if anyone within their residence is being quarantined or isolated for COVID-19, or if they are displaying any symptoms of the virus.

To further protect officers, when responding to a report, they will meet individuals outside of their homes or place of business and may ask a series of health-related questions which must be answered.

Measures taken during traffic stops

The RVIPF also outlined measures which will be applied during traffic stops on public roadways.

Officers will now be communicating to motorists at a safe distance during traffic stops, and persons are asked not to exit their vehicles unless asked to do so by an officer.

Additionally, officers will be taking photographs of licenses and identification cards during stops to limit contact with motorists while gathering information.

Equipment and Training for Officers

As for other measures, Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews told BVI News in a recent over-the-phone interview that “all front-line officers have been given personal protection equipment including gloves, sanitizers and masks and the Ministry of Health held special workshops for officers to be briefed on the risks, myths and realities of COVID-19”.

He also said that despite the long hours endured by police officers during the pandemic, which could have an impact on their morale, they continue to execute their jobs to the best of their ability.

“My observations are that they remain focused, motivated and committed to keep the territory safe and to enforce the necessary curfew requirements,” Matthews said.

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17 Comments

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  1. Very good says:

    Also, all officers should wear a mask and gloves at all times.

    Like 15
    Dislike 2
  2. Jokes says:

    What a bunch of RUBBISH! We just start following nonsense from around the world without questioning how stupid most of it is.

    Like 7
    Dislike 35
  3. Rubber Duck says:

    Figures from abroad show that unless you are already very sick you are very unlikely to die of covid19. In the UK Monday there were over 700 deaths but only 29 of those did not have a known serious illness. Overweight people do seem to suffer more.

    Best not catch it but do not be too fearful that you are a goner if you do.

    Like 4
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    • Jane says:

      Rubber Duck: please do not try and diminish the risk here. Healthcare workers are dying in large numbers from their increased exposure, delivery truck drivers and shop staff are also now starting to die off. Children and teenagers are dying, young adults are dying, people in their 30s and 40s and 50s are dying. They may be statistically outliers but the reality is that all of us face a risk of death here. If the hospital is overwhelmed then we will have no care and we will be dying at home in our beds.

      Like 3
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      • Rubber Duck says:

        The gutter media will have people scared to death. It’s not fatal in every case as the 3 mild symptom cases in BVI prove.

        Like 4
        Dislike 3
      • Caribbean Girl says:

        We are all dying every day that goes by. Nothing more certain than that, except paying taxes. We won’t be on this plane for ever. Is better to go without suffering from any disease and old age. But again, many die of complications with diabetes, heart conditions, hypertension complications and many other causes. Let’s be real. Why is the fear?

      • well sah says:

        Where did all these ppl died you fool
        When 1600 people died in the USA yesterday and just 10 people died today ain’t something wrong lol
        It’s clear you and few others are the one who got they head stuck up the media Hole
        Damn use your own brain and understanding. But listen to your wealthy rich white daddy

  4. The Reaper says:

    Monkey see Monkey do…We running from this Virus ? but it’s here .Out from last year.They wasn’t taking it seriously,Now we catching Hell.We all suffering right now.This lock down s**t ,Am roll out my New Measures Plan….Catch Me if U Can

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  5. Click says:

    They also need infrared laser termometers equipment to take your temperature

    • Jane says:

      No they dont. Estimates are 20% of people show no symptoms ever, and during the first week or so of infection most people have no symptoms either.

      Everyone should assume that they have this and they’re contagious and should stay the f*** home.

  6. Rubber Duck says:

    50% have no symptoms and in 85% of cases the symptoms are nothing or mild.

    But it is dangerous to a minority.

  7. Eagle eye says:

    They are the yones mixing up between all kinds of people so we need to protect ourselves from them.

  8. Resident says:

    The flu kills more people every year in the states, covid is not as serious as the media makes it seem

  9. Zagred Smith says:

    Covid is a hoax, the real danger is 5g

  10. Observant says:

    Mr.mathews, I hope you advise your officers well because, everytime they touch someone’s license while conducting their stop and search they should change their glove. If they don’t, then they could be spreading the virus even more.

  11. Observant says:

    History

    H1N1 was first detected in April 2009 in a 10-year-old girl in California. It was declared a global pandemic in June 2009 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and was finally over in August 2010.

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that swine flu infected nearly 61 million people in the United States and caused 12,469 deaths. Worldwide, up to 575,400 people died from pande

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