Since May 25 launch of an online portal to facilitate the registration of returning residents, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Petrona Davies said the registered numbers are gradually increasing.

“The data is constantly changing with the registration process still ongoing,” Davies told BVI News in an interview on Sunday.

“As of yesterday (Saturday, May 30), we had recorded 279 registrations, but not necessarily for June [arrivals]. I think it was over June, July and August.”

What happens when the land?

Davies said there are a few protocols and procedures in place for when returning locals land at the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island.

When they disembark the aircraft, passengers will be first met by the Environmental Health Division (EHD).

“Port health officers would do their initial screenings. If perchance they (the EHD) need to separate any passenger from other passengers, they would do that. There’s a quarantine sort of area at the airport that will be used for that purpose,” Davies explained.

She continued: “Everybody else will go through the Immigration and Customs, and there’s special transportation with persons that are trained and will be equipped with PPEs (personal protective equipment) and sanitisation resources to be able to handle the passengers and their baggage safely and then they’ll be transported to their quarantine site.”

Daily checks by Client Support Services Unit

The Permanent Secretary said all persons will be briefed on the expectations of the quarantine process, adding that security services will be provided to ensure that all persons comply with the quarantine order.

Additionally, there is a Client Support Services Unit that will conduct daily checks with persons to see if they have any special requirements or any concerns that may need addressing.

“That (daily checks) persists for two weeks and there will also be medical checks just to monitor for any symptoms. And if there is an onset of symptoms, then, of course, they will be tested at that point. But everyone is to be tested at the end of the quarantine period before their release,” Davies further explained.

All returning nationals and residents who have a private quarantine facility that is approved by the Environmental Health Division will be prioritised for re-entry from June 2 to 15.

Starting June 15 onward, consideration would then be given to the re-entry of other persons “with approved registration and certification with respect to available government quarantine spaces”.