I feel terrible for the people of the BVI. But the reality is the country has mismanaged their finances for so long the government needs to held accountable, and the people that elected the govt.
IrmaMaria was a horrible event but it was not worldwide and disaster relief was available. The losses were mostly insured so as soon as folks were made safe repairs started and insurance funds came in. This did not replace tourism dollars but it put people to work.
With Covid there is no insurance so no one is coming to rescue the BVI and the years of government graft and waste that are coming home to roost.
The BVI govt needs to find a way to reopen tourism. Cruise ships are not coming anytime soon. The finance/legal industry is working remotely to the extent they have any business. In typical fashion the government is hiding/lying about the full extent of the financial crisis if they even know.
The UK does not have the resources to fund welfare for the BVI. No other country in the world cares.
The BVIs ability to borrow to get through this crisis is limited. They currently have a negative cash flow and no ability to service new debt. Junk bond status if they made an offering.
Yet there is still talk about expanding the airport.
Wouldn't it be nice to have back that $7 million squandered with the airline.
Again, the BVI government needs to reopen to tourism. Otherwise, by the time this pandemic ends the BVI won't be back 20 years but more like 40.