First of all, I would like to say that I wish they would implement one of the UKs new protocols which is coming into effect next Monday. They are having bars and restaurants recording the names of their patrons daily and keeping this info for 3 weeks to aid in contact tracing. Simple, yet effective... Like wearing masks.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, USVI Governor Bryan held a Covid-19 press conference where he moved the territory from Stay At Home to Safer At Home (Yellow Alert phase).
- Businesses deemed non-essential are now allowed to open,
- Beaches are now open until 4pm on weekends and holidays, with no restrictions during the week. Gatherings are limited to 50 people. Facial coverings and social distancing protocols remain in effect.
- Boats are NOT allowed to raft up together. Keep a 12-foot distance.
- Restaurants will be allowed to resume dine-in operations under the following conditions:
- No serving of alcohol at bar counters
- No more than six persons per table
- Tables must be 6 feet apart
- Employees must wear facial coverings at all times
- Patrons should wear facial coverings whenever they are not seated at a table
- Churches and houses of worship may reopen with a maximum of 50 people and will be allowed to serve communion according to guidelines of the Virgin Islands Department of Health.
- Private school campuses are allowed to reopen provided that they adhere to Department of Health guidelines.
- Visitation to nursing homes and senior assisted living facilities remains prohibited.
- Hotels and other accommodation providers are prohibited from accepting new leisure guests until Saturday, September 19th.
- Casinos and gaming establishments may reopen beginning September 19th under protocols established by the Department of Health and the Casino Commission.
- 100% of visitors and residents returning home will be required to provide a negative PCR test result in order to enter the territory or will be required to quarantine for 14 days on arrival. Further details are to be announced.
The Governor also said that he expects testing at the territory’s airports to begin by the end of the month. He also said that the situation remains fluid and restrictions could change at any time.
“As a community, we are trying to find a new normal. Our success in this endeavor is dependent on our willingness to adhere to the health guidelines and restrictions,” the Governor said. “Although we are now in week three of the moratorium on leisure guests, the virus is still being transmitted through person-to-person contact. This continues to be the most prevalent mode of transmission for the virus. We must all commit to doing our part to keep each other safe.”
So it goes...
