Acting governor tightened some COVID-19 restrictions in U.S. Virgin Islands

Acting Gov. Tregenza A. Roach issued a supplemental executive order on August 6, 2021, tightening several COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. Virgin Islands as active cases increased.

The changes were scheduled to take effect on August 13, 2021. Under the order, beaches were to close at 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The limit on mass gatherings was reduced to 50 people from 100, though the Health Department could approve events of up to 100 people if all attendees were vaccinated. Gatherings of fewer than 50 people still required Health Department approval.

The order also ended use of positive antibody tests for the territory's travel portal. Arriving travelers were required to show proof of vaccination received in the U.S. Virgin Islands or provide a negative PCR or antigen test taken within five days of travel. Travelers arriving from the British Virgin Islands were required to present test results taken within two days of arrival.

Roach said virtual learning would remain in place in schools until at least September 7, 2021, and said he was considering additional measures, including reducing the number of government offices open and requiring a one-month closure for establishments found out of compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

As of August 6, 2021, the Virgin Islands Health Department was tracking more than 325 active COVID-19 cases in the territory, with 40 deaths attributed to the virus. Twenty-nine people were hospitalized with COVID-19, including 18 patients at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix, four of them on ventilators, and 11 patients at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas, four of them on ventilators.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/acting-governor-roach-modifies-covid-19-restrictions-as-cases-continue-climbing-among-unvaccinated-virgin-islanders/