BVI seeks UK’s help to retrieve supplies seized by US

TORTOLA (CMC):

Health Minister Carvin Malone says the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has sought the assistance of the United Kingdom to retrieve a shipment of medical supplies that was bound for the territory but has been seized by United States authorities.

According to Malone, the shipment was seized due to the recent order by the Trump administration in the United States to prevent the export of N95 respirators, surgical masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE).

He said the BVI’s shipment contained US$12,000 worth of PPEs to help protect local health workers from contracting the coronavirus.

“I have since reported the incident to the governor who would, through diplomatic channels, be able to find ways in which we can get the goods released,” Malone said in a local broadcast.

“We want to make sure that we have a clear path [for our] purchases of medical replacement supplies through the United States, and we would be grateful if it would be handled, and handled effectively, by the UK government and the US government. So I see no issue in terms of it being resolved.”

According to US President Donald Trump, the country has banned the export of coronavirus protective gear because the USA “needs these items immediately for domestic use”.