Virgin Islands agencies announced office closures and service limits amid COVID-19 response

The Virgin Islands government said on March 20, 2020, that multiple departments and agencies had changed normal operations to reduce in-person contact during the COVID-19 outbreak. The notice said the information was updated on March 24, 2020.

Among the changes, the Bureau of Corrections suspended in-person visitation, volunteer programs, work details and furloughs. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles limited lobby access, canceled road and written tests until further notice, waived inspection requirements for online registration renewals from March 18 through May 31, 2020, and said a 60-day extension had been ordered for driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.

The Department of Education said public schools were closed from March 18 through April 14, 2020. The Department of Human Services said Head Start classrooms closed territorywide beginning March 18, 2020, for at least three weeks.

The Department of Justice said its facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix were closed to the public until further notice, with services to be provided electronically or by telephone. The Division of Personnel also suspended in-office visits, and the Department of Finance said it was conducting business electronically whenever possible.

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources said libraries and museums would close and that pickup, drop-off and cashier services would be available only on Tuesdays and Fridays through April 6, 2020. The Department of Public Works said in-person complaints were suspended until further notice. The Department of Tourism said its offices were closed until further notice.

The Virgin Islands Fire Service said its prevention and administrative offices would open only from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, while emergency response operations would continue. The Office of Collective Bargaining said it would close from March 24 through April 6, 2020. The Office of Veterans Affairs said it would limit operations to burial arrangements through April 6, 2020.

Other agencies reporting modified operations included the Department of Labor, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, the Energy Office, the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, the Virgin Islands Lottery, the Public Services Commission, the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority and the Water and Power Authority.

The notice also said Juan F. Luis Hospital revised visitation hours and screening procedures, the Judicial Branch postponed most in-person proceedings scheduled on or before April 1, 2020, and the 33rd Legislature had postponed hearings and meetings and closed its facilities to the public.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-agencies-announce-changes-to-normal-operations-in-response-to-covid-19/