Mister Speaker, thank you for this opportunity to say a few words in celebration of the over 10,000 residents of the Virgin Islands that have heeded the call to be vaccinated against the deadly virus that causes COVID-19.

Mister Speaker, I wish to speak about the decision by this Government to start the process of reviewing the salaries of public officers.

Mister Speaker, throughout this pandemic, the people of the Virgin Islands have time and time again shown their resilience.

Mister Speaker, I wish to speak now on the appointment of members of the Recovery and Development Agency.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting held on 21st April, 2021, which was held at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room. 

People of the Virgin Islands, I am making this statement in my capacity as Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands and Head of the Legislative branch in reference to the continued delay and refusal of the Office of the Governor and the Secretary of State, the Right Honourable Dominic Raab’s refusal to assent to the following bills, which were duly passed in the House of Assembly:

1. Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) (Amendment) Act; and
2. Disaster Management Act, 2021

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me the opportunity to address this Honourable House. To all Honourable Members I say good day and God's Blessings. And to the wider national community who are following these proceedings virtually, I greet you in BVILOVE.

The HEOC [Health Emergency Operation Centre] presented an update on the COVID-19 situation, including vaccination coverage, along with various considerations for modifying the border entry requirements for travelers who have been fully vaccinated.

His Excellency, the Governor Mr. John J. Rankin, CMG, chaired the Meeting held on 31st March at the Financial Services Commission’s Conference Room.

Mister Speaker, I am grateful for this opportunity to share in this Honourable House and with the entire community, updates on education and progress over the last month as we approach the final term of the 2020/2021 school year.  Many costly adjustments had to be made in all schools in the Territory to ensure safety and to instill the COVID-19 protocols established by the Ministry of Health, which includes social distancing, extra wash stations for the washing of hands and classrooms equipped with sanitisation stations for students.  Hybrid/online learning was implemented and has been utilised for the last two terms while we sought to ensure that the best possible pedagogical practices were enforced.