Season’s Greetings, from my family to yours, I am Vincent Wheatley, Representative for the Ninth District and Minister responsible for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration for the Government of the Virgin Islands. On behalf of myself and my Ministry, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe, enjoyable and peaceful Holiday Season. 

At this festive time of the year when many of our notable traditions come to life: the making of local goodies such as tarts, sweet breads, potato pudding, guava berry liqueur and many others to celebrate and share with family and friends; warm Christmas feelings punctuates many homes, business places, shops and houses of worship.

I give very warm Christmas greetings to the people of the 7^th district and the wider Territory of the Virgin Islands as well as those who work within my ministry of Education, Culture, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Youth Affairs and Sports, and the wider Government. 

We are once again in the most joyous season of Christmas when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This week, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in BVI. There are festive songs on the radio, trees going up in homes across the Territory and many will have been ice-skating at VISAR’s Winter Wonderland. 

On the 22nd December, 2020 Senior Magistrate Tamia Richards sentenced Anthony Angol.  Angol was found guilty on December 14, 2020 for the two (2) offences that were before the Court. The offences were:

On Sunday, 20^th December, 2020 a native of the Dominican Republic travelled to the BVI and was subsequently refused entry by Immigration at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. The passenger was then transported to Wyndham Tortola (Lambert Beach Resort) where he was expected to quarantine and await the scheduled departure from the Territory on Monday, 21^st December, 2020.

Your elected Virgin Islands Government continues to take initiative and exercise leadership in putting measures in place to strengthen the good governance framework of our Territory.

I extend Seasons Greetings to everyone in the Virgin Islands; throughout the region and the World. I am pleased to bring you the status report on the COVID-19 situation and response in the British Virgin Islands and the decisions of Cabinet following this week’s meeting.

I would like to provide an update on the status of the Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Amendment Bill and the Cannabis Licensing Bill.