On March 14th, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, the Government of the Virgin Islands announced the immediate closure of the Tortola cruise port, allowing no cruise ships to call on the territory for a 30 day period in an effort to protect the Territory from potential contamination.
The Government of the British Virgin Islands has announced that it will halt cruise ship operations for an initial period of 30 days amid Coronovirus outbreak, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring Covid-19 a pandemic.
The Government of the Virgin Islands is inviting all taxi-drivers and tour operators operating at the cruise pier, vendors on the Tortola Pier Park and Craft Alive to an important meeting in the Jost Van Dyke Room at Maria’s by the Sea, tomorrow Saturday March 14 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is being held to discuss the impact of the Coronavirus COVID-19 on the Tourism industry.
All are invited to make a special effort to attend.
Receiving an invitation by one of the most prestigious and luxurious travel consortia is a true reflection of the high esteem the British Virgin Islands is held.
After consultation with the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and other senior health officials, a decision was made that cruise ship M/V Costa Favolosa will not be allowed to call on the Virgin Islands today.
Mister Speaker, I will now focus on give an update on the state of our tourism industry. Our tourism industry continues to surge as evidenced by official reports from the Government’s Central Statistics Office which note increases of arrivals year over year since the hurricanes of 2017.
Officials at the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Environmental Health Division are reassuring the public on port health in relation to cruise ship clearance protocol.
