Bryan ordered territorial beaches closed through April 20

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on April 6, 2020, that all beaches in the U.S. Virgin Islands would be closed through April 20 as the territory sought to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Bryan announced the closure during a Government House press briefing in Christiansted. He said the Virgin Islands National Guard would be deployed to support the Police Department and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources in enforcing the order.

Government House said 283 people had been tested for the coronavirus as of April 6, with 222 negative results, 43 positive results and 20 pending tests. Of the 43 positive cases, 36 people had recovered, one person had died and six active cases were being monitored by the Health Department.

According to the administration, one COVID-19 patient was hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and two were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Bryan also said the stay-at-home order remained in effect through April 30 and that places of worship were to remain closed during that period.

At the briefing, Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended face coverings to help limit transmission of the virus, but she said the territory had not mandated their use.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/el-gobernador-bryan-cierra-las-playas-territoriales-hasta-el-20-de-abril/