TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS, October 22, 2020 – The British Virgin Islands Airport
Authority announces that, on the directive of the Government of the BVI, that Terrance B.
Lettsome International Airport, will reopen to commercial passenger traffic on Tuesday, December
1st, 2020, at 7 a.m.
The BVI airports were closed to incoming traffic on March 22nd, 2020, in a bid to prevent the
importation and spread of the COVID-19 virus. Since then, the pandemic, which has affected over
7 million people throughout the world, killing over a quarter of a million of them, has largely been
contained in the Territory.
To date, only 71 positive cases have been recorded, with 1 death. There
are currently no active cases on island. Government has maintained that the early and decisive
action to close the borders was instrumental in the management of the virus.
With the rest of the Caribbean region already experiencing phased and full reopening, the British
Virgin Islands is among the last to reopen its borders to commercial air traffic—a move that the
Chairman of the Authority views as “timely and strategic,” to revive the halted tourism sector and
its dependent subsectors, such as agriculture, transportation and small business.
According to the Chairman, Mr. Bevis Sylvester, “the Authority considered it prudent to recommend the reopening to the Government months in advance, so as to implement best practices in health and safety, to protect our visitors and our locals, alike.
Extensive consultation has been
conducted, and wehavehad a remarkableopportunity to observe what is working and not working
in other neighbouring islands, and around the world.”
The Chairman said that agrand reopening will beheld forstakeholders on November30th, at which
point, the relevant departments, such as Tourism and Health, will outline to the Territory the new
look and operations of the BVI airports in this new normal. He promises that no effort will be
spared in assuring the safety of the Territory.
The airports’ reopening comes amidst a surge in major tourism source markets around the world,
such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
The Chairman assures that the protocols for the reopening have been formulated over months of
careful planning amongst industry stakeholders, and that while there is yet no full-proof protective
measures against COVID-19, the guidelines have been tailored to ensure optimal protection of the
Territory.
All reopening and entry protocols will be released on Monday, October 26, 2020.
About the British Virgin Islands Airport The BVI Airports Authority (the Authority) is an autonomous entity which was given a mandate by the Government of the Virgin Islands to manage all airports in the Virgin Islands.
The Authority currently falls under the portfolio and directive of the Premier’s Office through an appointed Board of Directors who are elected on the basis of a commitment to the programs and purposes of the Authority.
The Board
establishes the broad guidelines of philosophy and institutional purpose and names the Managing Director to execute those guidelines. The Board of Directors meets twice monthly.