The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has implemented a ban on flights from Brazil and South Africa in the wake of reports of new strains of COVID-19 emerging in both countries.
The announcement was recently made by Health Minister Carvin Malone.
This is in addition to a travel ban on flights from the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom that came into effect on January 11.
In making the announcement, Minister Malone said, “In a most recent Cabinet meeting, in light of new strains of COVID-19 being prevalent in South Africa and Brazil, a decision was taken that in addition to the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic, to implement a travel ban on persons travelling from South Africa and Brazil to the Virgin Islands,” Malone explained.
He however stated that the ban – that was implemented to protect the public from COVID-19, does not apply to BVI nationals, Belongers, residents, work permit holders, diplomats and government workers travelling from these countries.
The Health Minister reiterated that these persons would be subjected to a 14-day quarantine period once they travelled from the affected countries.
CMC