U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Monday closed all the beaches in the Territory until April 20 in an attempt at curbing the COVID-19 virus and as a way to discourage some residents from ignoring the stay-at-home order and negating social and physical distancing.

“We have a considerable way to go before we reach our peak, which is projected not to be here for another two to three weeks,” Governor Bryan said during Monday’s press briefing at Government House in Christiansted.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS—President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday, granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the Territory, triggering the release of federal funds to mitigate the health and economic devastation brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.

ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands – Members of the Virgin Islands National Guard met at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport to discuss screening protocols for incoming passengers, April 1, 2020.

The screening protocols will provide additional measures to prevent further exposure and infections amongst the population. These Department of Health protocols consist of screening criteria established to identify passengers who could possibly be infected with the Coronavirus.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a stressful time for people. As a community, we find ourselves spending more time at home with our loved ones than before. Because of the nature of COVID-19 and the enforcement of social distancing, there is an increase in domestic violence within our community. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey more than one-third of women and one in twelve men have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. Below are steps we can take to help stop domestic violence in our community:

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During Monday’s Government House press briefing, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced he is extending the State of Emergency, as well as the stay-at-home order; the closure of non-essential businesses territory-wide and limiting restaurants to take-out and pick-up orders only, through April 30 in further efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Additionally, the Governor ordered the closure of all beach restaurants, effective immediately, in an effort to curtail people gathering in groups and ignoring the call for social distancing.

The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) Commissioner, Richard T. Evangelista reminds consumers to practice social distancing when shopping. 

On Wednesday, March 26, 2020, DLCA and Commissioner Trevor Velinor of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) invited major grocery retailers across the Territory to meet via teleconference to discuss and share with each other all the measures implemented thus far to protect consumers and its staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The governing board and executive director of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Saturday reaffirmed that the utility will not disconnect delinquent electrical and potable water service accounts for the duration of the COVID-19 state of emergency.

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has issued a proclamation calling for a “U.S. Virgin Islands Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reflection” on Monday, March 30, 2020.

“I invite all Virgin Islanders to join in thoughtful prayer and reflection on the state of our nation and our Territory on March 30, 2020, the Virgin Islands Day of Prayer, Fasting and Reflection,” Governor Bryan said in the proclamation.

In observance of the USVI Day of Prayer, Governor Bryan further directed that all business in the Territory cease from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday.

ST. CROIX, USVI –The Virgin Islands Department of Education wishes to inform the public that distribution of breakfast and lunch in the“No V.I. Child Goes Hungry” initiative will take place at all sites in the St. Croix District on Friday, March 27, following the unscheduled interruption of distributions at some sites on Thursday, March 26.

Parents and students should visit the distribution site closest to their homes. Meals will be supplied Monday - Friday only.

St.Croix District Pickup Breakfast: 7:30a.m. – 8:30a.m. Lunch: 12p.m. – 1p.m.

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health has received confirmation of three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease. This brings the territory’s total confirmed cases to twenty-two—eleven on Croix, ten on St. Thomas, and one on St. John.