On August 2, with the occurrence of the territory’s ninth recorded case of coronavirus, the government of the British Virgin Islands announced that work permit holders and work permit exemption holders would be barred from entering the territory with immediate effect. The policy was effected with little or no prior warning and caused confusion and distress amongst travellers who were scheduled to return to the islands but in some instances were not cleared for entry at the TB Lettsome International Airport.
Premier Andrew Fahie has justified the ban on the grounds that many expatriate workers have been unwilling or unable to pay for their mandatory two-week quarantine. According to Vincent Wheatley, the minister of immigration, only nationals will be allowed entry into the country for the foreseeable future although it has been suggested that the legality of the government’s decision may be subject to challenge by those directly affected.
