Bryan eased some COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants, taxicabs and beaches

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on March 1 that the U.S. Virgin Islands would ease some COVID-19 restrictions beginning March 8 for beaches, taxicabs and restaurants.

Under the changes, beaches could remain open until 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays. Taxicabs could carry more than 50% capacity if all passengers were part of the same family or group. Restaurants could seat up to 75% of approved capacity and could seat more than six people at the same table if they were in the same party. Masking and social-distancing requirements remained in effect.

Bryan also said the territory entered Phase 3 of its vaccination strategy on March 1 with the opening of community vaccination centers in each district for residents age 16 and older. The centers were located at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas and UVI’s Great Hall on St. Croix.

The administration said public schools in the St. Croix District would begin phased reopening on March 2 for pre-K, first-grade, special education and Career and Technical Education students. Second- and third-grade students on St. Croix were scheduled to return to in-person instruction on March 9, while general education students in grades 4 through 12 would remain virtual until further notice.

Bryan also said CARES Act funding had been designated for private and parochial schools, with assistance based on student population at about $1,300 per student.

The government said the Department of Finance and Bureau of Internal Revenue continued mailing stimulus checks. Residents who had not filed a 2019 income tax return had until March 15 to do so to qualify for a stimulus payment.

As of March 1, the territory had administered 14,221 first doses and 6,786 second doses of COVID-19 vaccine, for a total of 21,007 doses. The government said it was tracking 110 active cases, had recorded 2,646 positive tests and 25 fatalities, and reported four COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Juan F. Luis Medical Center on St. Croix and one at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-eases-some-covid-19-restrictions-for-restaurants-taxicabs-and-beaches/