Bryan announced 'Safer at Home' order and phased reopening plan for May 4

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on April 29, 2020, that the U.S. Virgin Islands would move to a "Safer at Home" order on May 4, 2020, and that he was issuing an executive order outlining a gradual reopening of nonessential businesses and related guidelines.

The existing stay-at-home order was extended until 6 a.m. on May 4. Bryan said the territory would use a five-level system: red for full quarantine, orange for the existing stay-at-home order, yellow for "Safer at Home" beginning May 4, blue for "Open Doors," and green for a "New Normal."

Under the May 4 order, face masks were required for anyone entering a business and for gatherings of people, with exceptions for children age 2 and younger and people with acute respiratory problems. Recreational facilities including gyms, tennis courts and golf courses could reopen if they maintained social distancing, while contact sports including basketball, volleyball and soccer remained prohibited.

Bowling alleys and movie theaters could reopen with social-distancing measures but could not sell food or drinks or host parties. Private offices could reopen, though work from home was to be encouraged for employees not critical to in-person services. Private health facilities could resume services if they followed required safety protocols.

Personal service businesses, including barbers, massage therapists and beauty salons, could operate by appointment only under hygiene and disinfection rules. Those businesses could not have more than five waiting customers at one time or more than 10 people, including employees, inside at once. Retail stores also were limited to 10 people inside at a time, except grocery stores and previously exempt large stores.

Restaurants remained limited to takeout, delivery and drive-through service, and bars remained closed. Churches could hold services of up to 50 people if everyone, including the pastor, wore face masks. Visits to nursing homes remained prohibited, child-care facilities remained closed, and public, private and parochial schools remained closed.

Bryan said the move from the yellow level to the blue "Open Doors" level was anticipated for June 1, 2020, which he identified as the tentative date for reopening the territory to travelers. He said vulnerable people, including those age 65 and older, people with certain chronic medical conditions, immunocompromised people and pregnant women, should remain home as much as possible.

Bryan also said the government had secured a $60 million line of credit for government operations and $75 million through the federal CARES Act. He said $250 credits had been applied to residential WAPA accounts and $500 credits to commercial accounts, and that the territory was awaiting $84.7 million in advance payments for individual stimulus checks.

On unemployment benefits, Bryan said the Labor Department had processed 2,012 checks totaling $1,412,217 as of April 29, 2020.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/el-gobernador-bryan-actualiza-a-los-residentes-en-covid-19-3/