The US Virgin Islands has once again closed for leisure visitors in an attempt to contain the spread of Covid-19. Arrivals will be suspended for a month.
The territory will revert to the ‘Stay-At-Home’ phase
The territory will revert to the ‘Stay-At-Home’ phase to the Covid-19 response for the next two weeks. Post this, there will be a re-evaluation. According to this, all non-essential businesses and churches are to cease operations, and the public, including non-essential public sector workers, are requested to stay at home.
Also with immediate effect, hotels, villas, Airbnb accommodations, guest houses, temporary vacation housing, charter vessels, and all similar businesses in the US Virgin Islands are ordered to not accept or book any new reservations for the next 30 days. For 30 days, accommodations providers are barred from admitting or checking-in any guests unless the order is lifted. Business travelers, flight crew, emergency personnel, and government workers with written authorization from relevant government agencies are the only reservations accepted.
Restaurants can offer only takeout, delivery or drive-thru service while bars, nightclubs, and cabarets are to remain closed as long as the territory remains in a state of emergency
During a press conference, the Governor, Albert Bryan, said: “When we announced our Covid-19 alert system in May, I indicated at that time that we would retreat to a more cautious state of alert if conditions warranted.” And continued: “Unfortunately, we have arrived at that point this week.”
Further, Bryan added: “The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk.
“This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our health care and public safety infrastructure.”
The residents of St. Thomas, who were tested positive at a seniors’ residential facility, are reported to be asymptomatic or to only have mild symptoms. To date, there were 682 positive cases in the destination, out of which 197 were active and 476 recovered. Also since the start of the pandemic, nine deaths have been reported.
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