Events from the year 2020 in the British Virgin Islands.

Incumbents

Governor: Augustus Jaspert

Premier: Andrew Fahie

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. Politicians crossing the floor is relatively common in the Territory.

2020 in the British Virgin Islands

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.

2020 in the British Virgin Islands

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. 18 April The Territory suffers its first death from COVID-19. The Territory imposes a 7% tax on all money transfer services out of the Territory. 19 April - The Territory-wide 24 hour lockdown is extended by seven days.

2020 in the British Virgin Islands

May

24 May - Former first lady, Idris O'Neal OBE (wife of Ralph O'Neal) dies. 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".

June

3 June - The report of the Auditor General in relation to the Government's controversial investment in BVI Airways is published. 8 June – An American commercial fisherman is arrested for illegal entry, unregistered and unlicensed fishing, and failure to arrive at a customs port. 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.

August

3 August - Government issues a directive barring work permit holders and work permit exempt persons from returning to the Territory indefinitely. 14 August - Curfew relating to Covid-19 pandemic ends after five months. 21 August Gambling laws are liberalised in the Territory pursuant to the new Gaming and Betting Control Act 2020. Nine new cases of Covid-19 diagnosed, leading the Government to reimpose curfew restrictions. 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.

September

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

October

8 October - Government warns the public of an apparent Dengue fever outbreak in the Territory.

November

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

Deaths

24 May - Idris O'Neal OBE (wife of Ralph O'Neal)

See also

2020 in the Caribbean

Footnotes

2020s in the British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands