2020 in the British Virgin Islands explained

Events from the year 2020 in the British Virgin Islands.

Incumbents

• Governor

Augustus Jaspert

• Premier

Events

January

• 20 January - House of Assembly representative for the 6th District, Alvera Maduro-Caines "crosses the floor", leaving the opposition NDP to join the ruling VIP.^[1] Politicians crossing the floor is relatively common in the Territory.

March

• 25 March - The British Virgin Islands confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19. One was a visitor from Europe and one was a visitor from New York.^[2]

April

• 5 April - The Territory implements a 24 hour per day lockdown for a period of 14 days due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the British Virgin Islands.^[3]
• 18 April
  • The Territory suffers its first death from COVID-19.^[4]
  • The Territory imposes a 7% tax on all money transfer services out of the Territory.^[5]
• 19 April - The Territory-wide 24 hour lockdown is extended by seven days.^[6]

May

• 24 May - Former first lady, Idris O'Neal OBE (wife of Ralph O'Neal) dies.^[7]
• 26 May - Health Authorities announce that there are now zero confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Territory, but warned that the fight against the virus is "not over".^[8]

June

• 3 June - The report of the Auditor General in relation to the Government's controversial investment in BVI Airways is published.^[9]
• 8 June – An American commercial fisherman is arrested for illegal entry, unregistered and unlicensed fishing, and failure to arrive at a customs port.^[10]
• 15 June - Controversy arises as a local media outlet publishes a cartoon of Governor Augustus Jaspert standing on the neck of a local media personality, in imitation of the murder of George Floyd.^[11]

August

• 3 August - Government issues a directive barring work permit holders and work permit exempt persons from returning to the Territory indefinitely.^[12]
• 14 August - Curfew relating to Covid-19 pandemic ends after five months.^[13]
• 21 August
  • Gambling laws are liberalised in the Territory pursuant to the new Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020.^[14]
  • Nine new cases of Covid-19 diagnosed, leading the Government to reimpose curfew restrictions.^[15] The rise in infections was blamed by the Government on people re-entering the Territory illegally from the neighbouring U.S. Virgin Islands to evade mandatory quarantine restrictions.^[16]

September

• 21 September - Government announces a proposed 1 December re-opening of the Territory for tourist visitors.^[17]
• 22 September - Government announces its commitment to "implementing publicly accessible registers of company beneficial ownership" for the Territory.^[18]

October

• 8 October - Government warns the public of an apparent Dengue fever outbreak in the Territory.^[19]

November

• 6 November - A man is shot dead in the Baugher's Bay area of Tortola.^[20]
• 10 November - A serving police officer is arrested in the largest drugs bust in the Territory's history - around 2,300 kilogrammes.^[21]

Deaths

• 24 May - Idris O'Neal OBE (wife of Ralph O'Neal)^[22]

See also

• 2020 in the Caribbean

Notes and References

1. Web site: Alvera Maduro-Caines joins the VIP! Fahie is a productive leader. BVI News. 20 January 2020.
2. Web site: BVI confirms first two cases of coronavirus. BVI News. 2020-03-26. en. 2020-03-25.
3. Web site: Shop for 14-days! BVI going on complete lockdown in 3 days . BVI News . 1 April 2020.
4. Web site: BVI Reports First Coronavirus Death; Extended Curfew Announced . VI Consortium . 18 April 2020.
5. Web site: 7% tax on all $$ leaving the BVI via money transfers . BVI News. 18 April 2020.
6. Web site: Batten Down As Lockdown Extended For 7 Days . BVI Platinum . 18 April 2020 . 19 April 2020 . 28 July 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200728231125/https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31517 . dead .
7. Web site: Former BVI First Lady Edris O'Neal dies. BVI News. 24 May 2020.
8. Web site: BVI Is COVID-19 Free . BVI Platinum . 26 May 2020 . 27 May 2020 . 13 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201113043924/https://www.bviplatinum.com/news.php?articleId=31628 . dead .
9. Web site: BDO Warned About BVI Airways Investment, Instead Gov't Appointed Company's Director To Airline's Board . BVI Platinum News . 3 June 2002.
10. Web site: Radel . Dan . New Jersey family fighting for return of fisherman jailed in British Virgin Islands . news.yahoo.com . USA Today . 24 August 2020.
11. Web site: News site's 'distasteful' cartoon of governor sparks public outrage . BVI News . 15 June 2020.
12. Web site: Work permit holders, exemption holders barred from entering indefinitely . BVI News. 3 August 2020.
13. Web site: BVI no longer under curfew! . BVI News . 14 August 2020.
14. Web site: Gaming & Betting Control Act now law! . BVI News . 21 August 2020.
15. Web site: Nine new COVID cases detected between Anegada and Tortola! Curfew reinstated . BVI News . 21 August 2020.
16. Web site: New Curfew Imposed On BVI After Reports Of New Covid-19 Cases . Government of the VI - Press Release . 21 August 2020.
17. Web site: BVI reopening for tourism on December 1! . BVI News . 21 September 2020.
18. Web site: Premier commits to 'publicly accessible registers' despite reservations . BVI News . 22 September 2020.
19. News: 59 dengue cases for 2020 and rising! Mosquito hotspots in East . BVI News. 8 October 2020.
20. Web site: One dead after fatal shooting on Tortola . BVI News. 6 November 2020.
21. Web site: Cop arrested in largest drug bust in BVI history! . BVI News. 10 November 2020.
22. Web site: Former BVI First Lady Edris O'Neal dies. BVI News. 24 May 2020.