The most-read stories of 2020

The year 2020 was another active news year in which you, our valued readers, read, analysed, and commented on various issues impacting the BVI and the world.

Here’s a list of the top stories you enjoyed in 2020:

1. Residents ordering free groceries multiple times from the same household – 57,000 views

During the height of the COVID-19 territory-wide lockdown when the government was supplying welfare packages across the territory, some residents found a way to get more than the stipulated amount of grocery handouts.  

2. Norwegian says it may go out of business! BVI in danger of losing millions in recurrent revenue – 22,852 views

When Norwegian Cruise Line announced they might be going out of business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our readers found great interest in this issue as the cruise line is responsible for shuttling at least 4,000 or more passengers to the BVI on each call.

3. Man files lawsuit after losing land because of ‘faulty’ drug case – 20,025 views

This local man lost a parcel of land while he had an ongoing drug-related matter before court. His lawsuit to reclaim the market value of the lost property was unsuccessful.

4. All schools now permitted to allow face-to-face classes but in phases – 15,922 views

After several months of closure, the Ministry of Education gave the ‘green light’ in October for all schools to reopen for face-to-face classes using a phased approach. Those classes officially resumed on Monday, January 4, 2021.

5. USVI man smuggled into territory to spend lockdown with pregnant girlfriend, court hears – 13,951 views

After breaching curfew orders and entering the BVI illegally, a USVI resident told the court he was smuggled into the territory to spend the 14-day lockdown with his pregnant girlfriend.

6. One dead another hospitalised following boating accident off Guana Island – 13,685 views

At the start of 2020, a man succumbed to his injuries after a boating accident off Guana Island.

7. Work permit holders, exemption holders barred from entering indefinitely – 13,198 views

This story triggered mixed reactions from our readers. On the heels of the BVI’s ninth recorded COVID-19 case, work permit holders and work permit exemption holders were barred from entry into the territory at the time.

8. Two locals believed to be carrying COVID-19 land in BVI – 12,574 views

Panic ensued as two locals, travelling from Santo Domingo were rumoured to have COVID-19.

9. Authorities discussing BVI’s way forward following territory’s first COVID-19 death – 11,753 views

Public interest was sparked when the BVI lost a 52-year-old female to COVID-19 — the BVI’s only COVID-related death to date.

10. Cop arrested in largest drug bust in BVI history! – 11,513 views

Last November, the local and international spotlight was placed on the BVI when the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) seized more than 2,300 kilos of cocaine — the largest such seizure ever in the BVI or any UK overseas territory. Public interest in this incident heightened further when it was announced that a police officer was arrested in connection to the drug bust.