A team of medical professionals from the Republic of Cuba will arrive in the Virgin Islands on Friday; this is an update from Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie.

Premier Fahie said that initially the team was expected to arrive in the Territory on Thursday, July 23. However, the new date of arrival will be Friday, July 24.

 “Friday will be an historic day for the people and Territory of the Virgin Islands as the team comprised of 22 medical professionals including internist doctors, emergency response doctors, intensive care specialist and nurses, and those trained in infectious diseases arrive in the Territory to augment the capacity of the team of health care professionals currently at the BVI Health Services Authority.

“We requested the assistance from the Republic of Cuba in an effort to ensure that the Territory is able to manage any situation that may occur as we continue the cautious phased re-opening of our borders,” Premier Fahie said.

In a statement during the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, Premier Fahie said the team will spend a period of three months.

The Premier said that his Government is committed to ensuring that preventative measures are put in place to allow the BVI to remain in a state of preparedness and mitigation.

“We anticipate that this effort will assist the Territory in opening up with a greater sense of confidence in the fact that adequate specialised treatment capacity will now be available in the Territory.”

Premier Fahie added that the Virgin Islands has a long history of sending persons with serious medical conditions overseas for treatment. He further stated that “in the COVID-19 Era, we must re-think the added risk to BVI patients as they travel abroad for treatment, to places where the spread of the disease is on the rise.”

The Republic of Cuba has a long history of supporting other countries in dealing with infectious diseases. The Premier expressed his gratitude that the Territory’s request was honoured by Cuba in a “spirit of humanitarianism and solidarity with the people of the Virgin Islands”.

The medical team of professionals will be quarantined for 14-days upon arrival to the Virgin Islands in line with the protocol for persons entering the Territory.

The Virgin Islands is currently in Phase One of the Controlled Border Re-entry. The timing of the arrival of the medical professionals is pertinent to the reopening of the borders to non-nationals in the future.