In a move reminiscent of the 2017 travel bans, the Trump administration is contemplating new travel restrictions that could affect citizens from 41 countries, among them the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia. An internal memo obtained by Reuters outlines a proposal for varying levels of visa suspensions, pending approval from key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The draft memo categorises the 41 countries into three groups based on the severity of the proposed restrictions:

• Full Visa Suspension: Ten countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela, could face complete visa suspensions.

• Partial Visa Suspension: Five nations, such as Eritrea, Haiti, and Myanmar, may experience restrictions on specific visa categories, including tourist and student visas.

• Conditional Partial Suspension: Twenty-six countries, including the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia, might encounter partial suspensions if they fail to address certain deficiencies identified by U.S. authorities.

The inclusion of the Dominican Republic and St. Lucia in the conditional partial suspension category has raised concerns about potential impacts on tourism and bilateral relations. Both Caribbean nations are popular destinations for American travelers, and any travel restrictions could have significant economic repercussions.

Currently, U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays shorter than 30 days in the Dominican Republic. Similarly, St. Lucia does not mandate visas for U.S. visitors, provided they have a valid passport and proof of onward travel.

The proposed travel restrictions are part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security. The internal memo cites concerns over information-sharing practices, identity-management protocols, and security conditions in the listed countries. The administration aims to mitigate potential threats by imposing these visa restrictions.

It’s important to note that the proposal remains unapproved and is subject to change. The final decision will involve consultations among various government agencies and is expected to consider diplomatic relations, economic impacts, and national security interests.

As the situation develops, travelers and stakeholders are advised to stay informed about potential changes to U.S. travel policies affecting these countries.

For more information, please refer to the original Reuters report.

A Barbadian national involved in a lone-vehicle accident late Friday night has died from her injuries, authorities confirmed.

The crash occurred in Brewers Bay shortly after 11 p.m. when the woman, who was driving a Jeep Wrangler, appeared to have lost control, causing the vehicle to plunge over a hillside. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, and the victim was transported to Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Officials have not yet released the woman’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.

More details will be provided as the investigation unfolds.

Premier Natalio D. Wheatley has defended his administration’s handling of the financial and operational challenges facing the BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA), insisting that issues with the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and hospital funding were inherited and are being actively addressed.

During an interview on JTV’s The Big Story with Cathy Richards on March 11, Premier Wheatley pushed back against claims that his government has not invested adequately in the territory’s healthcare system. He pointed out that the government’s subvention to the hospital has nearly tripled since the construction of the new facility, increasing from approximately $15 million to $42 million annually.

“To make it seem as though we’re not putting money into the hospital is ridiculous,” Wheatley stated. “Healthcare can make any country go broke, and you cannot fund the hospital outside of having a proper national hea

Premier Wheatley

lth insurance scheme.”

The Premier emphasized the need to reform NHI to better serve the public healthcare system. He noted that while the NHI has largely benefited private sector providers, the hospital receives a fixed amount annually, regardless of the services it provides. He described this funding model as unsustainable and in need of urgent restructuring.

“Part of the problem we have with the hospital is that they get a global figure. That $42 million is not in exchange for any services or goods they provide,” he explained. “When private sector providers charge NHI, they do so per service provided. The hospital, on the other hand, gets the same figure no matter how much service it provides. That just doesn’t make any sense, and that’s something we have to fix.”

Wheatley assured the public that efforts are underway to address these structural deficiencies. He cited the reactivation of the contract committee, as well as legislative amendments being prepared to modify the NHI framework in a way that allows the public hospital to benefit more equitably. He stressed that these issues have existed for years and did not originate under his administration.

“Persons think the challenges at the hospital just started, but think again,” he said. “They’ve been happening for some time, and it’s our responsibility to fix them. We don’t run away from that responsibility.”

Responding to concerns about transparency and accountability, Premier Wheatley urged the public to stay engaged with the government’s efforts. He encouraged residents to attend public meetings and contribute to ongoing discussions about the future of healthcare in the BVI.

“The Minister of Health gives updates all the time, but the question is, do we listen when he gives them?” he asked. “We can always do more to address these challenges, but we need all hands on deck.”

As the government moves forward with its healthcare reform initiatives, the Premier called on the community to take an active role in supporting improvements, citing the contributions of civic organizations such as Rotary and the Lions Club as examples of meaningful engagement.

“We want to see things done, and we are telling the entire territory that we need to work together to make it happen,” he concluded.

The Premier’s remarks come amid growing public concern about the state of the territory’s healthcare system, with many residents calling for immediate action to resolve long-standing issues at the hospital and within the NHI scheme.

The government’s proposed reforms are expected to be debated in the House of Assembly in the coming months.