Virgin Islands agencies changed operations during stay-at-home phase of pandemic

Government House said on Aug. 18, 2020, that multiple Virgin Islands government agencies had changed operations after Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. moved the territory back to a stay-at-home phase because of a resurgence in COVID-19 cases.

Among the changes, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles said its offices would remain closed through Aug. 28, with road tests, written learner’s permit tests, driver’s license services and ID card services canceled until further notice. The bureau said licenses and ID cards expiring on or after May 1, 2020, would be extended by six months from the expiration date.

The Department of Education said it had suspended all in-person interactions with the public at its state and district offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix. The Department of Finance said business should be conducted electronically when possible, with limited walk-up window service from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays through Fridays.

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said public libraries, Fort Frederik on St. Croix and Fort Christian on St. Thomas were closed to the public. The Virgin Islands Elections System said all of its offices were closed territory-wide until further notice.

The Judicial Branch said all non-essential services were suspended until further notice, while the Superior Court continued remote hearing protocols for essential or emergency matters. The Virgin Islands Police Department said Central Records Bureau offices, Firearms Bureau offices and fingerprinting services territory-wide were closed until further notice.

Government House also reported modified operations at the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Department of Property and Procurement, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, the Public Services Commission and the Virgin Islands Port Authority.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-agencies-adjust-operations-during-stay-at-home-phase-of-covid-19-pandemic/