Two barred from entry at Beef Island Airport
At the TB Lettsome International Airport on Wednesday, June 3. (BVI News photos)
Two women who had a pre-booked flights into the territory have been denied entry at the TB Lettsome International Airport.
BVI News understands that the incident occurred last Tuesday, August 4 — more than 24 hours after government officially announced the indefinite ban on the re-entry of work permit holders and permit exemption holders.
Sources close to the reported incident told BVI News the women — one of whom travelled from St Vincent and the Grenadines — were employed to the public service.
Our news centre’s attempts to get information on the circumstances surrounding the incident have been futile up to publication time. However, Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn confirmed the incident on Saturday.
“Yes, I know about it but I don’t wish to comment on it,” he said when questioned.
And when further pressed to give details on the matter, Penn stated: “Yes, it happened but I don’t wish to put anything [regarding the circumstances] on the official record.”
In the meantime, Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley who was also present when Penn was being questioned said: “We have a policy right now where we are only allowing nationals to come into the country. So maybe they were non-nationals, I don’t know. Maybe they were caught in that policy, I don’t know. I didn’t hear about it.”
The government issued the ban late Sunday, August 2 and according to Premier Andrew Fahie, there were several reasons for the ban including the unwillingness of expatriates to pay the cost of being quarantined for a mandatory two-week period.
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This is totally ridiculous. Anyway we voted for them. I have never seen such incompetence and poor planning for anything in all my life. All we have is a government that has positioned their close friends and family to get whatever they can get.
Who is ‘we voted for them’?? I didn’t. Not surprised by what’s happening here, the virus just exposed them faster. A bunch of incompetent brain dead politicians whose failed policies will be the end of this place called home. And yes, I am a multi generational BVIslander who can call a spade, a spade.
In Trinidad when they set a law its been excecuted whether a day before or 2 weeks before…
You talking the rubbish
The incompetence is breathtaking. Arriving passengers are not allowed into the terminal. They are lined up at a booth on the tarmac to have their temperatures taken. There is no roof and no shade. The bozo taking the temperatures with a forehead reader is shocked that they are mostly above 100. The surface temperature on your brow is going to be high after you stand in the August overhead sun for a while. Hello.
Only in BVI
It happened. I cried. What will happen to their money. All arrangements and tickets were made and bought before the law announced. This a message to all xpats professionals. Such disrespect….We at the Airport were saying they already here just let them stay…. wasn’t a good thing.
Since the law had gone into effect they should not have been allow to fly to the V.I. The passengers too should have check at least on the day before traveling as the Covid situation is very fluid.
Dem no love them country me love mine would’nt be hurting my head to come back .only if i had small chfildren that needed me .car note bank note rent .sooooò.
The irony behind it is they(the passengers) were 2 Nurses attached to the BVI Health Services Authority one of them here for over 15 years which would have made her ‘exempt.’ All I can say is something went wrong.
A very sad day in the BVI.
The only thing flourishing is ignorance dressed up in suits.
If they were allowed to stay everyone else would flock In and expect the same. They decided to take a chance because they know the BVI is not serious about anything and often fails at enforcing laws.
so will she have a job to come back to?
Those two women full well knew what the law is. They are just a set of aggressive people who think they are entitled.
I do not think this would be happening under the NDP.
Under the NDP thousands would have died.
NDP didnot put much policies in place thats why I didnot voted for them …
One of the policies that NDP was looking at was 5 -10years work permit just like the Caymans ..We would not be in this mess right now —less jobs even before Covid—-
Thats why this Government has been pressured to find/impliment jobs as soon as they took office.
The BVI needs to stop Natralization !!! its too small of a territory !!!
You will loss your Natures Little Secret!!!
If you just sray out why try to come to make yourself look foolish
Just wow
The VIP government has shown their true colors now. Everything they do is create strife between expats and locals and to make expats feel like they don’t belong here. It’s the way they say things and do them. It shows really who they are. So, who are the real dividers now? 7% tax on money transfers, locking out work permit holders and exempt workers from the country, telling expat workers to go home.
I hope that people are really paying attention. These are the real dividers.
Qualified professipnals around the Caribbean please take note. Stay home. Don’t get used and abused.
Concern
Smh. So her employer government has locked out their employee they entered into a contractual agreement with smh. How does this make any practical business sense. Just simply tell the people you don’t want them in their country and done. If everyone has to quarantine upon entry what really is the problem? Give the business owners and work permit holders options to choose their quarantine provider make all the arrangements and enter. I bet their bill will be way less that the government cronies of 6k.
Business persons and expats do not run the BVI or any other country. The government sets the rules of the land.
You really cannot be that slow. If for example, BVIHSA arranges with treasure isle to have all their staff who are locked out quarantine at the facility as a statutory body they are responsible for the fees. This in turn allows the hotel staff and workers to make revenue and they can come to an agreement on the fee. Meanwhile how many quarantine facilities are government using Maria’s and lambert. So only two facilities should eat? While all the others stay close give me a break. Are we really trying to boost the internal economy or only for a select few with political affliction. We really locked out essential workers, nurses in a pandemic?? With the hospital already grossly short staff? Y’all cannot be serious!!! Nah man BVI our leaders already smoking their marijuana cause anyone who think this makes sense is just as ridiculous ??♀️??♀️
The security fee might be way cheaper than what government is paying.
If she is employed by government and has a contract, I would say let the lawsuits begin. They put quarantine procedures in place and it looks like they don’t trust their own systems!? What kind of inept monkeys running the show buddy??
Bro, Please don’t shame monkeys by comparing with these headless politicians
Vip needs to be gone asap
IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE DOING THE SAME THING THE BVI IS DOING, WHY NOT KICK UP BACK HOME. I HAVE NO PROBLEM IN WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
No other country is discriminating between different kinds of residents. Is the UK kicking out work permit holders, the USA?
No. Only the Backward Virgin Islands.
Please go check your sources again
It is truly shameful the way bvi landers treat foreigners as long as they are black. Never heard that kind of treatment dished out towards whites, especially if they have money to throw around. It is shameful, and no, I am not racist. I pray all foreigners can find the courage to leave, go to their respective home countries and build your own island paradise.
The US does NOT have work permit holders. If you all can’t abide by what the government is doing, it’s simple go back home to what your leaders are doing. Nothing positive to say but you all don’t want to leave. Explain that to me please.
Yes they do check your facts
In most cases, foreign nationals wishing to work in the United States will be required to apply for a U.S. work visa. There are many U.S. work visas available, and applicants must determine which ones they are eligible, and how to apply correctly and prepare documentation
Concern
The backward bvi feeding u. Thats the problem here we accomodate for so long we never get thank u all we get is name calling and discriminating words. But still not catching the plane.
I can bet you my life that if the Governor was involved this incompetence will not happen..The white Governor would have find away to resolve this without the pain and the hurt…
Go let the white governor help you. He is not in charge!
In Bermuda they ask for a clear Covid test when they board the plane to go there. They then charge 75 bucks for a check at the airport in Bermuda. The passenger has to go to where they are staying and stay there until they get the all clear within 1 day. On day 3 and 7 they get checked in town and again the results are fast and emailed to the person if clear. So simple.
Of course our government here is too stupid to organise that. Bermuda is making it a selling point that people can go there to be safe but we here have our economy going down the shitter simply because our “leader” says what Bermuda does cannot be done.
He’s a complete waste of space.
Only when the wind blow is when you see fowl behind. I hope everybody seeing the behind of the Premier and the VIP. And their behind ain’t look too good from what I seeing. Their tricks and deception has caught up with them. They are the ones who have been sowing division in the country and putting people against one another for their own benefit. It is now showing itself in the decisions that they have been making.
If fowl bottom hafe show in wind to protect it chickens, then leh wind blow pun ee. Chickens safety and protection of the next generation first. The laws of nature.
I don’t think the Premiere knew of this.
He would have resolved it differently. It was just a week before he was at beef island posing with a million anti social Cuban nurses saying how badly we need them. If he knew they would have never gotten sent back..
School children say premier behind all this stupidness but likes to hide and give the impression it’s not he decision……….a d*****or in de makin !!!!!!!!
AYO WERE AFRAID OF RONNIE, FRASER AND MYRON
In the meantime, Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley who was also present when Penn was being questioned said: “We have a policy right now where we are only allowing nationals to come into the country. So maybe they were non-nationals, I don’t know….
Really Mr. Minister. You DO NOT KNOW? You are not in that position to NOT KNOW. This is past disgusting now.
He doesn’t know about that but he was quick to jump in Maddox about a simple ice cream parlor worker. How is it that he doesn’t know about this pressing issue but he could be on Facebook within minutes to respond to Maddox? COVID came for a reason and it’s to save us from the VIP, now we can see that they made a lot of noise during campaign and we fell for the nonsense, no plans at all for this Territory!
Another one term m**-m**.
Old people say when u hurt innocent pepple so badly so they had to cry, those tears will curse you…..Those nurses cried. Just thinking of the hurt and pain they must have felt.. Im crying myself…I heard they all knew a head of time before the law past…Why wait until they land to send them back…They already hear…Lord look wickedness…
Those nurses too disrespectful and trying to circumvent the law. If they cannot come in, WHAT ARE THEY COMING IN FOR?
Ayo put them in … TEK that !!! From Day one i keep telling my husband that THAT V*****t will be the DEATH of this country. He will be the next Trump !!! And what do u know !!!! Lookey Here
Is what im reading really happen….im reading but im not believing..Somebody please tell me that the rediculous evilous thing im reading did not happen….I heard it on the Streets also,didnt quite understand it,, Health blaming immigration. Immigration blaming health.. While the innocent workers suffer in.. pain….Lord have mercy on us..
…………and the Premier hiding in de bush as if he don’t know what’s going on. Marlon get your team ready as the next election will an easy win for you and your party.
We sending Brown Bomber back west with he rookies
I born here, but the recent happenings make me SHAME to be from here !!!
For the survival of the BVI, the government has to do what it has to do! No work, take your children and return home with dignity.
Everybody want do what they want to do in this country. The BVI is not a Cowboy Town where anything goes. Follow to rules!!!!
Like Hitlers people did.
So how ***ica medical doctors are coming in all the time
they are ridiculous . I will stay at my home and sue them for breach of contract and wrongful dismissal . A policy cannot supersede the law. There is a lot breach that are going on. The international court of justice can be contacted .
yall are soo sickening!! If the USA or the UK tell non nationals they have to leave, I bet you nobody would kick up. The BVI is for BVIslanders, especially during this time. Why you wanna come?, stay in your country and wait til you can come back. Working and living in the BVI is a privilege not a right!! Humble thy selves.
Racists all sound like you. I wonder why?
Are your countrymen doing the likewise? Im reading the news everyday….let the BVI do whats best for there country Sir/Madam.
The surgeon with a list of patients for operation and other patients under his care is also locked out.
So why bring in Cuban nurses and you already have nurses locked out on a contract? Hmmm…… Mr minister u said Covid is here to stay don’t you think the healthcare system will need them eventually. 9 Cuban nurses wouldn’t be enough when the covid ready to take over. Your own nationals that lived in the USA for 15 and 20 yrs that will bring the covid. Wait little!!
@ Rules , they came in on Saturday, the BAN came on stream on Sunday. Think again.
EVERY GOVERNMENT WHEREVER THEY ARE LOOK OUT FOR THEIR OWN PEOPLE. When hurricane Irma and Maria destroy here, were they not other countries that send for their people to get them out of here, how many exprats and other flew out to get back to their homes. Come on. When things don’t go your way, the Government is the WORST, if these borders were open, only GOD himself could have saved us, for thousands would be dead. When the government order the stuff from the USA, WHAT HAPPENED????? They tried to stop the shipment because they were making sure that stuff stayed in the country right! It’s hard YESSSSSSSS we get it, I am not working and neither is my spouse, yes I have children, but I’m not going to sit here feeling sorry for myself, blaming the Government. They are not the ones who created this dreadful virus. STOP IT!! I get down on my knees morning, noon and night praying for the BVI, praying for guidance among other things. They are the ones in control, pray for them. Alot of you when this is all over well eat your words. You should be a shame. Instead of calling down the Government and you’re unhappy, you have a CHOICE, sad to say. I have to live with whatever decisions they make, like it or not, this is my home. We will always have problems with whichever Government is in, because things ALWAYS have to go the way we see it…..WRONG. HOW MANY OF you WHEN you PRAY TO GOD for something and he doesn’t answer when you want, do you curse him, do you start calling him fake, and call him a dictatorship God? Nooooooo, sometimes what we think is good for us is not always so.
GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF ALL OF THIS.
So they can’t find me.
I changed my address by moving, got a new cell phone, and closed my bank account.
I’ll hang until a new job pops up and then I’ll start over. Meantime, I work odd jobs and construction for cash.
Flying low and under the radar.
It’s clearly to see here that the time for ALL foreigners is up in the BVI. Regardless of for how long, how much, or what you have contributed to the country. They want you out. Period. Let’s just hope the country is not experiencing another Irma like disaster, because there will no help coming in anymore and you will be on your own. In a few years this country is going to be like St.Croix, if things go well…..
If money is involved, them expats will still come in after any hurricane. Money rule.
were they cuban?
Would it not be sensible for employers to submit applications to Labour seeking permission for their work permit holders to return. The employer would need to show that the position held by the work permit holder was still required and show any payments made to the employee since they have been blocked from the territory. There is little point in work permit holders flooding back into the territory if they don’t actually have a job to come back to. Put the onus on the employers, who are responsible for the work permit holders while in the territory. This way legitimate employers can continue with their business
I read with awe the commends made and total disrespect for the Premier, the government and the people of these Virgin Islands and I think this practice should stop now. If you cannot abide by the rules and regulations of any country you should know what to do, I lived in other countries and not one day did I complain because I knew what was expected of me or else I leave. On the note of the two nurses. The port is open to BVI Islanders and Belongers who had to apply and wait for permission before entering. we did not complain we did what we were suppose to do. The port is not open to work permit holders therefore they should not be allowed to enter the country. The question is therefore did these nursed apply through the ministry for permission to enter the territory if no the right thing was done. The Government of the Virgin Islands is doing a good job.
This is the point. They were granted approval by the ministry and denied entry by immigration. It’s clear to see government agencies are not communicating with each other hence everyone blaming the other. How is it some expats are allowed in but essential workers at Peebles are being denied ? Make it make sense? And if we believe for one second that no non nationals have been allowed entry we are fooling ourself. A few have entered it is clearly who you know but how are you turning away nurses at the hospital in the middle of a pandemic foolishness!!!
This country will be just fine. God is still on the throne
If there is no work for two nurses that have work permits and have worked here for years, why did we allow 30 health care workers from Cuba in and house them???
This has not been approved by cabinet so this is not legal. Dictators.
Some expats are coming in yet they still calling down the BVI Government and its people and complaining they hate expats. Expats just sticking around to terrorize the BVIslanders.
It is the worse Government, the 9 district rep, is worse than Tru**, will do anything say anything for the chance to be in the news.
The fat one from Tola, well….he should take some time to take his pants from between his a**, instead he just understood the benefits of power! who would have knoown, Since they come in power, there has been nothing but division. That is because theydo not understand Leadership, they are power hungry! One term they should all get.
While I don’t know the full story as to why this happened, all the negativity and comparison isn’t really necessary. No one is saying that the VIP Government is perfect ( none was) (Only Jesus Christ is perfect), but Lord! Why does everything have to be a big blow up? Let us take some time to really understand that the entire world is in a disarray and every country is doing what they have to do (whether it pleases or displeases the people living there.). Please, please, let’s pray for godly wisdom for our leaders. Lashing out and speaking negative isn’t the answer and won’t solve any of the problems.
I am sure everywhere need medical personnel. The nurses can get jobs at home while they wait until they can come back to the BVI. laws must be adhered to by all.
The airline should have received a fine for bringing them to the BVI knowing full well they are not allowed at this time.