Greetings,

And a blessed Father’s Day to all fathers of these Beautiful Virgin Islands.

It is truly a privilege being blessed with the gift of Fatherhood.  Even our Heavenly Father said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Today, Sunday, June 21, I join with sons, daughters, mothers, sisters, and grandchildren in this Territory in celebrating our fathers.  

Mister Speaker, I rise to provide this Honourable House with an update on the many historic and exciting initiatives the Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities is currently implementing. 

Mir. Speaker, in our commitment to keeping the public informed, I am pleased to announce that a total of twenty (20) returning nationals and residents will rejoin the Virgin Islands community this week after completing 14 days in quarantine and testing negative for the virus that causes COVID-19.

Mr. Speaker, at last week Thursday’s Sitting of this Honourable House - on 11 June, 2020, you would recall, I spoke of the need to eliminate racism in all forms and from all places, in particular systemic and institutional racism against people of African heritage.

As a Territory, we continue the phased and controlled reopening of our borders, only at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport. Since June 2, under this phase, we have been welcoming home our nationals, Belongers, holders of permanent residence, and naturalised citizens of the Virgin Islands.

The British Virgin Islands is celebrating Men’s Health Week from June 15 to 21 in an effort to heighten awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases among men and boys.

I was made aware of the cartoon published by VINO today and comments by the host of Honestly Speaking and was appalled and disturbed by what they depicted and insinuated.  

Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to give an update on Sports and Recreation in the COVID-19 Era.  By now, we are all aware of the health risks caused by this worldwide pandemic.  All over the world, professional leagues and sporting events we all enjoy, the NBA, the NFL, and even the Olympics have been shutdown.  Recreational facilities, including public pools and basketball courts have been closed due to the threat of transmission of this virus.

I thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to make a statement on Festival and Fairs.