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by pltm
(PLTM) - Two Government Ministers resident on Virgin Gorda have contradicted official information released by the National Parks Trust 9NPT) which indicated that there will be restricted access for residents to the island's popular, Greater Baths site when cruise ships visit the Territory.
The advisory was sent to media houses and published on the NPT's Facebook page. However, Hon. Vincent Wheatley, the Minister of Natural Resources, Labour & Immigration with responsibility for the NPT shared the NPT advisory in a community group with the labelled 'Fake News'. The image was subsequently reposted by the Junior Minister of Trade, Hon. Shereen Flax-Charles via her Facebook page. Her post drew the attention of one commentator who kept pointing out that the advisory was posted by the Government.
"All of if [sic]our guests and residents should be treated equally and be able to go to ALL PUBLIC BEACHES whenever they want to," Hon. Flax-Charles stated
The advisory was sent to the media from the Deputy Director of the National Parks Trust, Ms. Diehdra Potter and was shared by the Government of the Virgin Islands yesterday, June 30.
It said, effective Thursday July 1, “In compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, to avoid overcrowding, maintain ‘travel bubbles’, and allow for social distancing to be observed, there will be a limit on the number of persons allowed to visit National Parks at a given time.”
It continued: “On days when cruise ships are in port, The Greater Baths National Park will be closed to residents, and other non-cruise ship guests between 9 am and 2 pm. The park will reopen once the necessary cleaning and sanitizing procedures have been undertaken.”
The advisory further said notices will be posted on the National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands Facebook page.
When BVI Platinum News attempted to get a comment from Ms. Potter via WhatsApp on the latest development, she did not reply up to publication time.
As the BVI welcomes back cruise passengers today, July 1, it is unclear what is the true policy concerning access to The Baths for residents.
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