Press Release

Ministry of Health & Social Development
Release Date:
Wednesday, 7 October 2020 - 6:20pm

Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone has reported no active cases of COVID-19 and Cabinet’s decision to impose a new curfew from 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m.

Honourable Malone made the announcements during an official COVID-19 Update this evening explaining that the Imposition of a Curfew (No. 35) Order, 2020 will come into effect on October 8 for a period of 14 days and will be subject to the requirements in the Public Health (COVID-19 Control and Suppression Measures) (No.8) Order, 2020.

He also stated the Cabinet decided to allow all businesses to re-open under this curfew, inclusive of bars and nightclubs provided that they pass inspection and be certified by the Social Distancing Task Force and the Environmental Health Division in order to operate.

“Bars and nightclubs owners are currently in conversations with the department and a date and time for inspections would be agreed,” said Honourable Malone.

The Social Distancing Task Force began full operations on October 5 and comprises of a team of 43 officers under the supervision of the Environmental Health Division.

Honourable Malone stated that all members of the Social Distancing Task Force have been trained, legally empowered and deployed to perform the very important duties of educating, monitoring and enforcing public health measures alongside the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. 

Honourable Malone also acknowledged the hard work that resulted in the containment of the recent outbreak while warning residents that the BVI is not COVID-19 free.

“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our public health and community health teams. I also thank the entire community for your continued compliance and cooperation with the various movement restrictions and public health measures that have been put in place for our protection. The fact that we have no positive cases on record today does not mean that the BVI is ‘COVID-19 Free’,” said Honourable Malone.

He explained that the cluster of 53 cases that represented 75 percent of all detected cases were discovered between August 14 and September 8 and that the final case has now recovered.

As of October 7, the total number of persons tested at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital stands at 5193, the total number of recoveries is 70, the total number of COVID-19 cases recorded is 71 and one (1) death.

Persons who are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19 are reminded not to visit any healthcare facility but are encouraged to contact the Medical Hotline at 852-7650 for an assessment and an appointment for COVID-19 testing. Common symptoms include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, or difficulty breathing.

Author

Adrianna J. Soverall

Ministry of Health and Social Development
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
Email: ministryofhealth@gov.vg
Telephone: 1(284)468-2272 or 2174