Village Cay Marina, Road Town, British Virgin Islands
Tuesday, 5-May-2020
Covid 19 Update
Kanilela's route in green, ferry routes dotted lines, I borrowed this map |
From what we hear the BVI’s have only had six Covid-19 cases with one fatality. The shutdown of all incoming travellers and a three week 24 hour per day curfew appear to have worked for now. We have just finished an additional week that has seen a easing of the 24 hour curfew to a 6:00am to 1:00pm opening with permitted shopping at locations that have been inspected and are able to adhere to the new safety requirements. Basically these are: no mask no service, a hand wash station with running water and soap at the entrance that must be used, limited numbers inside the establishment based on the size of the store, line-ups, both to get into the store and to the cashiers must be clearly marked with six foot spacing between people. Some places have sufficient space that they have placed chairs at six foot intervals and seniors are generally invited to go to the head of the line. When this was offered, it must be my grey beard around the N95 mask, I commented that I was fine waiting in line but the young man controlling the movement of the line said, “No sir, it is not based on need but just our respect for the elderly.” Some locations have laser thermometers checking your temperature prior to entering the store and many places have installed clear plexiglass barriers at the cashiers. The vast majority of people wear masks even when walking on the street to the point that you notice people who are not wearing a mask. Most people are very supportive of their Premier and the measures being taken.
Kanilela at the near empty Road Town, Village Cay Marina |
There are at least 200 charter boats moored in Road Town and an equal number in the other bays.
This is a huge hit to the local economy that only has a five month long season.
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The closed Cooper Island Beach Club rebuilt after hurricane Irma and Maria |
Kanilela and Raven at Manchineel Bay, Cooper Island, usually just the two of us for 4 weeks. |
The water is very clear in the bay and there is a reef on the south end at Cistern Point so snorkelling from the boat was great. After one week at anchor, the government issued a notice that there would be a two week total lockdown and for three days prior to that shopping would be permitted alphabetically by last name letter so we were the third day.
Kanilela's routes in green |
Kanilela at a very empty Spanish Town Marina |
Green Turtle about 90cm, 3' |
Baby French Angelfish about 12.5cm, 5" |
Just as the second week was coming to an end the Premier added an additional week to the quarantine period. The fatality had just occurred so they were watching contacts.
One of our resident Barricudas about 120cm, 4', lots of big Tarpons and Remoras liked the shade. |
Mags taking it easy off "our" beach, cute pink and yellow cottages with no guests for 4 weeks. |
Going forward is a question mark. As our friend Rob on Avante said, “Making cruising plans is so 2019…..” Obviously we are in the hurricane zone and the season begins in early June. Seeing the devastation that Irma and Maria left in their track staying is not an option. Our best, closest destinations are either Grenada or Trinidad, both are south of the usual hurricane tracks. Grenada, 410 miles south, is our preference and we have been in contact with one of the haulout boatyards for space. We have not received confirmation yet in part because Grenada, like all of the Caribbean Islands, is closed to any entries and the yards are not sure how many bookings are coming. We have registered with a group called grenadalima.com who are working with the marinas and boatyards that store boats through the summer months to lobby their government for some relaxation of the entry of boats for storage. We are prepared register with Immigration by radio and to do a two week quarantine once we arrive there. Storage of the cruising boats from June to November is a big industry for Grenada so we are hopeful some arrangement can be made. A flight back to Vancouver is far enough down the road we are not even looking into it given the ever changing situation.
To all our family and friends, be safe. Until we have an antiviral vaccination for Covid-19 take the logical precautions, adhere to social distancing protocols, wear a mask in public, and wash your hands. Remember, you wear a mask to protect me from you and I wear a mask to protect you from me. I hope I never have to live with the thought that I brought the virus to someone who later died and I hope that you too will never be confronted with that thought. This is easy. All we have to do is ignore stupid political rhetoric that has no factual basis.
Banded Butterflyfish about 20cm, 8" |
Juvenile Damselfish about 7.5cm, 3" |
Juvenile Beaugregory about 7.5cm, 3" |
A Bluehead Wrasse, a Blue Tang and a Surgeon Fish |
A partially hidden Chain Moray about 100cm, 3.5' and a Graysby about 30cm, 12" |
Whitespotted Trunkfish about 40cm, 16" |
Blue Chromis about 10cm, 4" |
Four Eyed Butterflyfish about 15cm, 6" |
Juvenile Stoplight Parrotfish about 30cm, 12" with Sargeant Majors and Urchins |
Southern Sting Ray about 150cm, 5' with a Jack |
Squid about 25cm, 10" |
Smooth Trunkfish about 25cm, 10" |
Juvenile Stoplight Parrotfish about 35cm, 14" |
Porcupine Fish about 45cm, 18' |
Stoplight Parrotfish about 60cm, 24" |
Xmas Tree Anemones and corals |
G'day Wellwood's,
ReplyDeleteGood to know that you are well!
Love your blog with photos, snorkeling looks to be amazingly beautiful!
Fingers crossed for your hard storage in Grenada.
USA/Canada border is closed for another month as of yesterday. This gives us a chance to monitor the curve after our lockdown restrictions were relaxed this week.
We are well, fixing our boat & my car...
Wishing you safe passages & virtual hugs🤗
Anne
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