Roach Optimistic on BVI Deal, Encarnacion Worried by Low Vaccination Rate

Public officials touched on a wide range of concerns during a Tuesday briefing at Government House. Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach said uncertainty in financial markets and U.S.-imposed tariffs are risks to government investments and could raise the price Virgin Islanders pay for imported goods.

V.I. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said very low vaccination rates make the territory vulnerable to the mainland’s deadly measles outbreak.

Not all the news was dire, however. Roach said a deal with the British Virgin Islands was likely to lessen dramatic charter yacht fee increases proposed earlier this year. Industry insiders in the USVI and the BVI warned ballooning taxes on sailing between the islands could sink small charter businesses. Leaders from each territory met earlier this month and plan to meet again in late April.

“We’ve been focusing on an agreement with the British Virgin Islands that will allow people to come to this area and have a wonderful marine experience without regard to boundaries,” Roach said.

Some of the fees slated to increase haven’t changed in 30 years, Roach said. He was not surprised the BVI wanted to generate as much revenue as possible.