Bryan says Virgin Islands entered stay-at-home phase for at least two weeks

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on August 17, 2020, that the U.S. Virgin Islands had returned to a "Stay at Home" phase for at least two weeks as officials responded to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

During a weekly briefing, Bryan said restrictions previously used on St. Croix during an outbreak tied to the Limetree refinery included bar closures, earlier beach closures on weekends and holidays, a lockdown of the refinery man camp, and added screening at the territory's ports of entry.

Bryan also said residents seeking unemployment assistance should expect a complicated application process because the Virgin Islands Department of Labor was administering five separate programs. He said self-employed residents first had to apply for standard unemployment benefits and be denied before applying for CARES Act benefits, which he said was required by the federal government.

The administration said the Department of Health began inspections on August 17, 2020, of glassware and utensil-sanitization equipment at licensed restaurants, either by request or during incidental inspections. Restaurants that passed would receive certification exempting them from the requirement to use disposable dishes, utensils, napkins and drink containers.

Bryan also said the Bureau of Motor Vehicles was extending the validity of licenses and identification cards by six months from their original expiration dates. Online vehicle registration remained available.

The government reported 226 active COVID-19 cases as of August 17, 2020. It said 12,429 people had been tested, with 11,685 negative results and 760 positive results. The government also reported 525 recoveries and nine deaths.

Officials said one COVID-19 patient was hospitalized on a ventilator at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix, and seven COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas, including three on ventilators.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-reminds-residents-of-requirements-during-stay-at-home-phase-that-began-monday/