Government Agencies and Cruise Tourism Sector Partners collaborate to support the Government’s COVID-19 vaccination programme and encourage their staff to get the jab.

Promoting a positive vaccination message, creating awareness of the benefits of the vaccination, and encouraging persons who work in the cruise tourism sector to get the vaccine is the goal of the Vaccinate to Participate programme. It is designed to ensure a healthy return to cruise for the Territory.

As the Territory gears up to accept its first fully vaccinated passenger ship, we must meet industry standards to safely resume this sector and as such Mr. Clive McCoy, Director of Tourism stated that “we’re encouraging all front-line tourism workers such as Tour Guides, Tour Operators, Taxi Drivers and hospitality workers to get vaccinated.”

Mrs. Oleanvine Maynard, Managing Director of the BVIPA said “Going back to the pre-pandemic cruise levels is an objective for the BVIPA, we want all local businesses to have the opportunity to participate in this industry and therefore we need to get vaccinated; it is as simple as that. I trust we can, and we will manage together,” she said.

 “To do our part to help reboot, reopen and revive our tourism economy, the healthy return to cruise depends on all of us to do our part “said Mr. Vance Lewis, CEO of the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.

This agency collaboration encourages persons to protect themselves, their families, coworkers, and the community by availing themselves of a measure that, as informed by the experts, will keep us and our cruise guests safe as well as permit the revitalisation of this sector. This is the aim of the Vaccinate to Participate programme.

ABOUT THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PORTS AUTHORITY

The BVI Ports Authority is the managing authority for all official Sea Ports within the British Virgin Islands inclusive of the 60ft wide, 1,312 ft. long cruise pier that can berth ships up to a maximum tonnage of 180,000 GRT. The BVIPA is responsible for the welcoming and safe arrival of seafaring passengers, as well as the reception, handling and security of cargo and sea based trade.

For more information, please visit www.bviports.org