The Government of the Virgin Islands will be collaborating with several agencies in supporting a national programme to make the AstraZeneca vaccine available to residents on a voluntary basis.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present an update on the Department of Waste Management’s ongoing efforts to increase recycling and waste reduction in the Territory.

Mister Speaker, let me first extend New Year Greetings to everyone in these beautiful Virgin Islands; throughout the region and via all the usual communication mediums, who have had to endure the sound of my voice giving updates on what I think is the most critical topic in this Territory’s history, over the past 10 months – that of COVID-19. 

Mister Speaker, yesterday on 30^th December 2020 the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for supply in the United Kingdom approved AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford/Vaccitechs Covid-19 vaccine candidate AZD1222.

Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to share in this Honourable House and with the entire community, updates on the progress in schools since the start of the 2020/2021 school year and plans for the upcoming term. 

My dear people of the Virgin Islands, a pleasant good day and God’s blessings to you and your families. I trust you are having a safe and enjoyable Yuletide Holidays, and that you are continuing to be vigilant to protect your loved ones and the wider community by adhering to the health protocols.

The public is reminded that CURFEW (NO. 40) ORDER, 2020 remains in effect. The imposed Curfew is between the hours of 2:01 a.m. to 4:59 a.m. daily until December 31, 2020.

BVIslanders, Belongers, residents and homeowners are notified that they are to complete a home quarantine checklist in preparation for inspection when applying for approval to home quarantine.

Season’s Greetings to all the people of the Virgin Islands. I pray God’s richest Blessings on each and every one of us as we celebrate the Christmas Story in this Advent season.