Bryan said bars and nightclubs in U.S. Virgin Islands would reopen on Nov. 9 under existing enforcement rules

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said during the Government House COVID-19 briefing on Nov. 4, 2020, that bars and nightclubs in the U.S. Virgin Islands would reopen on Monday, Nov. 9, as the next step in easing pandemic restrictions.

Bryan said the government would monitor the initial restrictions after meeting with bar and nightclub owners. He said enforcement penalties in the 15th Supplemental Executive Order issued Aug. 28 would remain in effect, including fines of $1,000 per attendee for violating mass-gathering rules and $5,000 per organizer of a prohibited event.

He also said parties on boats rafted together remained prohibited under the 12th Supplemental Executive Order, with a penalty of a $1,000 fine per incident or confiscation of the vessel.

Bryan reiterated that residents, tourists and other visitors were required to submit COVID-19 test results received within five days of returning to the territory, and said the requirement would be enforced for travelers age 5 and older.

Education Commissioner Racquel Berry-Benjamin and Sports, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Calvert White also outlined a joint program with the Health Department called "Student Sports Combine in a Bubble." The program was described as a free exhibition for student athletes to perform drills, training and scrimmages on video for colleges, recruiters and scouts.

Government House said the territory was tracking 36 active COVID-19 cases as of Nov. 4, with 1,388 positive tests, 1,329 recoveries and 23 deaths. It said no COVID-19 patients were hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Hospital on St. Croix and two were hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-says-reopening-of-bars-and-nightclubs-next-week-is-next-step-in-relaxing-restrictions-as-pandemic-continues/