Greetings to all. Tuesday afternoon I convened a meeting of the National Emergency Operations Centre’s operations group so that Territory leadership, including myself and the Deputy Premier, could receive a full briefing on the expectations for Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 and strategise how to enact our final preparations for that system.

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) would like to notify the public of the following port closures occurring today, July 29th, 2020. 

.

The British Virgin Islands Ports Authority (BVIPA) is closely monitoring the weather system, Invest 92L/Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to take few moments to remind all Virgin Islanders and residents to continue to be vigilant in keeping ahead of the curve as it relates to a weather system that is under development in our region.

Greetings to all in these Virgin Islands.

Many of us were jolted out of a Sunday routine by a 4.03 magnitude earthquake. The final report from Territory partners at the Puerto Seismic Network indicates that the centre of the earthquake was approximately 32 kilometres north of Road Town, or approximately 20 miles away, and that the strongest shaking was felt by persons on the island of Virgin Gorda.

Residents of the Virgin Islands are urged to urgently carry out seasonal measures to protect their families, homes and businesses with Tropical Storm Gonzalo on the verge of becoming a hurricane in the southern Windward Islands.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development has partnered with the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) to create a handbook to help residents incorporate COVID-19 into their seasonal preparedness activities.

British Virgin Islands’ residents are advised to reduce exposure to the Sahara Desert dust plume by wearing face masks in public spaces.

Mr. Speaker, the Caribbean Region is about to enter another hurricane season and I would encourage everyone to accelerate their preparations as we anticipate an active season. I certainly recognise the challenges that emerge in our preparations as we continue to grapple with the pandemic and its social and economic impacts.  We must always remain vigilant and prepared. 

Mr. Speaker, Monday, June 1 was the start of the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. The season goes up until Monday, November 30.