The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that the official Opening and Dedication Ceremony of the New Peebles Hospital will be held Wednesday, December 17 at the Hospital Grounds.

Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton is extending an invitation to all residents of the Virgin Islands to share in celebrating the tremendous accomplishment for the healthcare system of the Virgin Islands.

The Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School will resume classes tomorrow, December 5.

The school was closed earlier today when a backed up sewerage pipe seeped through manholes and unto the compound.

The water and sewerage department along with maintenance officials from the Department of Education were contacted and the situation was rectified.

An intensive cleanup of the affected areas was undertaken by Corea’s Cleaning Services.

The Environmental Health Division is reminding all food vendors, volunteers, or persons assisting in the sale of food and drinks during the Christmas in Spanish Town celebrations on December 12 to 14, that they must possess a valid food handler’s certificate.

Food handlers’ classes are scheduled on Virgin Gorda for December 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Flax Building, Government Complex.

Three persons will receive the BVI Badge of Honour for their outstanding contribution to the development of the Virgin Islands.

   His Excellency the Governor, John S. Duncan, OBE after consultation with the Premier, Dr. the Hon D. Orlando Smith, OBE and the Leader of the Opposition, Hon R. T. O’ Neal, OBE accepted the recommendation of the BVI Honours Committee that Mrs. Marlene Penn-Trotman, Mr. Clarence Cecil Thomas and Mr. Reynell V.Frazer be awarded at an Investiture Ceremony to be held in their honour at Government House on December 9.

In an effort to better accommodate the surge of travelers to the Territory during the peak tourist season, the Government of the Virgin Islands is advising the public that the operating hours at two ports of entry will be extended effective December 1, 2014 until April 30, 2015.

By the end of this week, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) will know whether its National Disaster Management Programme (NDMP), led by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), has met the required standards and can be considered for accreditation from the United States based Emergency Management Accreditation Programme (EMAP).

Nine persons have beaten the odds and earned their Secondary Education School Leaving Certificates as part of the Alternative Secondary Education Programme (ASEP) Graduation Exercise for the Class of 2014.

In an effort to reinforce youth participation in rejuvenating the culture of the Virgin Islands, the Social Development Department is hosting the Clash of the Carolers: School Choir Christmas Sing Out.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE is looking forward to another strong year from the tourism sector, as Government of the Virgin Islands continues with its focused and strategic efforts in the further development of the sector.

Government is forging ahead in its drive to transform its website to make it the central point of access to the services that its ministries, departments and units provide to the public.