Governor Bryan Extends State of Emergency to April 30, Stay-at-Home Order, Business Closures Remain in Effect
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 Executive 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.
As of Monday afternoon, 180 persons have been tested, with 126 coming back negative, 30 testing positive and 24 cases still pending. Of those who tested positive, 11 are on St. Croix, 17 are on St. Thomas and two are on St. John.
“We have been fortunate, but we have been vigilant thus far,” Governor Bryan said. “But don’t be lulled into a false sense of security that we will be exempt from this virus. We will not be exempt from this virus.”
Once again, Governor Bryan stressed the importance of complying with social distancing guidelines and staying at home unless it is absolutely necessary to go out as the best way to “flatten the curve” and stop the spread of COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus.
He also specifically called out convenience stores and gas stations that are not taking measures to keep people from congregating and gathering in groups.
“Let me warn you, or promise you, any establishment found in violation of this statute will be subject to closure and/or permanent revocation of said business license. This is not a joke,” Governor Bryan said. “We are wasting valuable resources in sending our officers out there to curtail this type of activity. If we catch you, we’re going to shut you down.”
Governor Bryan also said his Administration already has begun preparations to issue the federal stimulus funds, which he estimated at $40 million to $50 million, as soon as they become available from the U.S. Treasury.
“But this will not be enough. We have a long and treacherous road ahead,” Governor Bryan said. “We are fighting this virus two disasters at a time – one on the health care front and one on the economic front.”
Governor Bryan’s next update on the Territory’s Response to the COVID-19 virus is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday.
I’m supposed to travel there for vacation April 15-22, I’m assuming the stay at home order would prevent us from going to the beach and/or scuba diving?
Dear Joshua, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
For sure…Stay where you are you and family won’t regret it… Your and family health is non negotiable ! You always can reschedule it ! Stay Safe
This is helpful thank you for your hard work
I have a home in St Jonn. Am I allowed to travel there?
Dear Melissa, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Just curious as to why there has been no talk of closing the Limetree Bay refinery after one contractor there had been positive? Also the employees there in the field don’t have the luxury of being six feet apart. Why is this business not being closed instead of putting over three thousand workers in harms way?
Dear Tonya, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We are coming to stay on our yacht this weekend. We are 4 Americans flying from Miami. Would there be an issues for us coming in? Thanks!
Dear Chaise, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We are supposed to travel to St Jojns in early June. Our second deposit is due Monday 4/6. Help what do we do?
Dear Brian, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I have a paid trip to the Condons of View of Paradise at Sapphire Beach on 6/4/2020 through 6/18/2020. I paid for this vacation 10/2019. Should I start the process to cancel airlaine and condo or should I wait longer. Does the USVI have hopes of opening up to public by June 2020
Dear Regina, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Hello,
We are trying to travel there to be able to get away from people as we are in a very concentrated city in the US. Do you know if supermarkets are open and if we are allowed to move around freely as long as socially distant ie going on walks, beaches, grocery? If we are coming from nyc but have been quarantined in our apartment for more than 14 days will we be able to come there?
Dear Jesse, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
My family and I are scheduled to travel to St. John May 22 – June 2 this year. Should we postpone our trip or will we be permitted to travel to the island? Will hotels be reopened??
Dear Chelsie, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We are supposed to be at the Scout Sea Base on June 20, do you know yet if this will open or are trips being cancelled? Thank you for your help
Dear Roger, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Also planning travel 1st of June. Will USVI be open? Deposit due tomorrow.
Dear Don, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Will we be able to enjoy the beaches and travel there by mid June?
Dear Justin, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Darcel,
Thank you for your work. We hoped to be able to learn from the questions of others and your replies. Can you not share the answers?
We have a private boat in St.Thomas. Can we go to it from the U.S. mainland and self isolate responsibly there?
Will grocery stores be open and beaches? If not now do you know when?
Thank you
Dear Captain Jorge, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We are u.s Americans and are suppose to travel to st.thomas May 4th should we cancel our trip?
Dear Adrienne, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I have a trip planned at the end of May, will be staying on a sailing charter. Is air travel restricted? Is there any projected update as far as businesses reopening?
Dear Nicki, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We’re supposed to travel to St. John May 9-15. Do you have any idea if the travel restrictions will be extended into May? Thanks!
Dear Jennifer, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I want to come see a friend in st Thomas in mid June. Is travel permitted there during this virus?
Dear Jenette, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I have a wedding to attend on July 14th in st john. Would there be any issue with attending a wedding of 30 people?
Dear Logan, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Is travel permitted to St Thomas in late May? I am in Boston, Massachusetts
Dear Alice, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We’re scheduled to stay in a house on St John in which we have ownership from May 13 to May 21. Will we be allowed to? Will the ferries be running? If not, will later in the month be any better
Dear Frank, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We are to arrive in St. Croix from Texas on May 30th. We paid for vacation rental and airfare last October.
Will St. Croix be open and should we travel or cancel our trip?
Thank You!
Dear Carla, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I would like to plan a trip with my kids for the week of July 6th. Do you think this is a safe time to plan the trip?
Dear Andrea, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We live in the US and have rented a Villa for the end of June. Our last day to get a refund is tomorrow. What does this summer look like for tourist? Should we postpone?
Dear Lovetshope, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
Hello,
I am a travel writer that planned on spending much of May in the VI. I can not find any information about whether or not I can still visit. Thanks for the help!
Dear Ryan, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
I have a vacation planned from June 7th 2020 through June 13th 2020. I have rented a house, car, and bought plane tickets. Will I be able to travel and enjoy our vacation?
Dear Ezequiel, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.
We have a trip scheduled to St. John the week of July 11. Is there any new guidance on tourism?
Dear Dustin, thanks for your message. We have responded via email, if you have any further questions, please let us know.