BVI monitoring new COVID strain, no UK travel ban so far
As more countries impose a travel ban on the UK because of a new strain of COVID-19 found there, the BVI has not decided to do the same but is closely monitoring the issue in Britain.
Since the UK announced a lockdown Saturday, more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East have restricted travel from the UK.
In an exclusive interview with BVI News, Health Minister Carvin Malone said Cabinet will discuss the issue when it meets today and will decide on the best course of action to take as the situation develops in the UK.
But Minister Malone said the government has not decided to implement a travel ban against the UK at this time.
“Cabinet, after meetings this week, will give further updates as to what precautions we may need to take. We note, with interest, all of the countries that have taken precautions and even precautions taken by the United Kingdom itself. So we’re monitoring very closely the developments,” Minister Malone explained.
“From the very onset — when COVID-19 was deemed a global pandemic — decisions were made as to what measures were to be taken with high, medium and low-risk countries. We will continue to do this in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. ” the Minister added.
According to the BBC, the new strain is spreading faster than the original, but it is not believed to be more deadly.
The BBC also reported the World Health Organisation saying: “Along with the UK, the same mutation of the COVID-19 virus has also been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia.”
Jamaica, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad & Tobago are among the first Caribbean countries that have implemented travel bans or restrictions.
In an exclusive interview with BVI News, Health Minister Carvin Malone said Cabinet will discuss the issue when it meets today and will decide on the best course of action to take as the situation develops in the UK.
But Minister Malone said the government has not decided to implement a travel ban against the UK at this time.
“Cabinet, after meetings this week, will give further updates as to what precautions we may need to take. We note, with interest, all of the countries that have taken precautions and even precautions taken by the United Kingdom itself. So we’re monitoring very closely the developments,” Minister Malone explained.
“From the very onset — when COVID-19 was deemed a global pandemic — decisions were made as to what measures were to be taken with high, medium and low-risk countries. We will continue to do this in the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands. ” the Minister added.
According to the BBC, the new strain is spreading faster than the original, but it is not believed to be more deadly.
The BBC also reported the World Health Organisation saying: “Along with the UK, the same mutation of the COVID-19 virus has also been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Australia.”
Jamaica, Grenada, the Dominican Republic, and Trinidad & Tobago are among the first Caribbean countries that have implemented travel bans or restrictions.