Work permit holders to be prevented from returning
According to the recently updated Immigration and Passport (Prohibition of Entry) Order (the “Order”) which came into effect on Tuesday, persons holding permits to live and work in the British Virgin Islands and who are currently outside the jurisdiction have been advised that they have been included in the category of persons who are temporarily barred from entering the British Virgin Islands.
This move comes as governments of various British Overseas Territories scramble to put in place measures designed to protect the local population from the spread of coronavirus.
Sub-section 2 of the Order states that persons who are neither Belongers nor ordinary residents of the British Virgin Islands will be prohibited from entering the territory for a period of 30 days commencing April 7. Other excluded persons include the spouses and dependant children of such permit holders, non-nationals with work permit exemptions, persons employed on government contracts, and persons enjoying diplomatic, consular or similar privileges by virtue of any Act.
