Mr. Speaker, it is my duty to update the people of the Virgin Islands on the phased reopening of schools.  During my statement on the reopening of schools on Tuesday, 25th August, 2020, I announced that our phased plan to reopen schools was derailed due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the Territory.  I also stated that this decision would be reviewed in the weeks that followed.  Since then we have had dozens of active cases.  Through the leadership of the Minister of Health and the HEOC team and the cooperation of the public, we have been able to contain this latest outbreak of the Corona Virus, and for this we give all thanks to God!  But we are not out of the woods yet, and, Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and adhere to the various health and social distancing guidelines as we continue in our efforts to combat the virus.

Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to update this Honourable House and the Territory on the activities of the Social Security Board.

Mister Speaker, as the Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, I have responsibility for the appointment of a Tribunal under the Labour Code, 2010 (No. 4 of 2010) as part of the mechanism for the settlement of labour disputes.

FOURTEENTH SITTING OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
PREMIER AND MINISTER OF FINANCE 
HONOURABLE ANDREW A. FAHIE

TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2020

I wish to update this honourable House on my participation in three recent virtual United Nations meetings that took place against the backdrop of COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to update this Honourable House on the launch of the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) COVID-19 grant programme payments to assist Micro, Small and Medium sized Enterprises (MSMEs) specifically in the food services sector including restaurants, cafés and food vans.

Mister Speaker, I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update on the many Outstanding Invoices that I have been faced with settling since taking office since March 2019.

Mister Speaker I am pleased to give account of the achievements in health care at the British Virgin Islands Health Services Authority over the last twelve months.

Mister Speaker thank you for yet another opportunity, to inform the public about the work that is happening in the Territory in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mister Speaker, I am pleased to be able to make a statement today on the Scholarship Programme which is administered through the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture. Despite the trying and unprecedented times the Territory is facing today, the Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to providing the financial support necessary for its people to have access to tertiary education.