TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC) — The curfew that came into effect following the passage of hurricane Irma in September will be lifted before Christmas Day.

According to Governor Augustus Jaspert, the decision was made after consultation with the National Democratic Party government.

The Governor, who made the announcement on Friday, also shaved another two hours from the current 11:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew until it is officially lifted.

“We have agreed that this should be the final time that the curfew will be extended – from today up until 22 December. The curfew will run from midnight tonight until 5:00 am daily, and will end at 5:00 am on Friday, December 22,” Jaspert said in a media release.

The governor said the decision to lift the now three-month curfew is because there has been “progress on all fronts”, adding that the decision was “carefully considered”.

He, however, noted that the curfew can still be re-implemented.

“If there are indications that the lifting of the curfew is having a detrimental effect on the security and safety of residents, we will not hesitate to reinstate it,” he said.

However, a member of the opposition Virgin Islands Party (VIP), Julian Fraser, has objected to the move.

During a recent sitting of the legislative, he urged Premier Dr Orlando Smith not to lift the curfew.