Bryan ordered U.S. Virgin Islands back to stay-at-home status as COVID-19 cases continued

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. ordered the U.S. Virgin Islands to return to "Stay at Home" status under a supplemental executive order announced on August 13, 2020, citing continued spread of COVID-19 and increased risk in residential institutions housing vulnerable people.

The order moved the territory to the orange alert level, closing non-essential businesses and churches and directing residents to stay home beginning August 17, 2020. Restaurants were limited to takeout, delivery and drive-through service through August 31, 2020, unless the order was lifted earlier. Bars, nightclubs and cabarets were to remain closed for the duration of the state of emergency.

The order also barred hotels, villas, Airbnbs, temporary vacation housing, charter vessels and similar businesses from accepting new leisure travel reservations effective immediately. Beginning August 19, 2020, those businesses were prohibited for 30 days from admitting new check-ins or registering new guests unless the order was lifted sooner. The restriction did not apply to business travelers, emergency personnel, flight crews or government guests with written authorization from the agency they were visiting.

Mass gatherings remained prohibited, with the limit under the stay-at-home status set at more than 10 people in a single room. The order said the restriction did not apply to standard essential services and infrastructure, including grocery stores, big-box stores, airports, seaports and medical facilities.

Other measures taking effect on August 17, 2020, included closing beaches from noon to 6 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, except for fishermen accessing vessels or casting nets; closing public, private and parochial school campuses to students; and limiting taxis and safaris to half capacity.

The administration also said face-mask requirements and fines established in the 12th Supplemental Executive Order on August 10, 2020, would remain in effect.

The Virgin Islands Department of Health was directed to begin inspections on August 17, 2020, of glassware and utensil sanitization equipment and procedures in licensed restaurants. The inspections were intended to determine whether restaurants could qualify for an exemption from the requirement to use disposable dishes, utensils, napkins and drink containers if dine-in service was later allowed to resume.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-orders-return-to-stay-at-home-status-in-response-to-continuing-spread-of-covid-19/