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.
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.
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. 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