Virgin Islands agencies changed operations amid COVID-19 emergency

Several Virgin Islands government agencies announced changes to public operations as of March 23, 2020, to reduce person-to-person contact during the COVID-19 emergency.

The changes included the suspension of in-person prison visitation and volunteer programs at the Bureau of Corrections; limited lobby access and canceled road and written tests at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles; and the closure of public schools through April 14.

Other agencies shifted services to phone, email or online platforms, including the departments of Finance, Justice, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Planning and Natural Resources, and the Division of Personnel. The Department of Justice said its facilities on St. Thomas and St. Croix were closed to the public until further notice, though some services would continue electronically or by telephone.

The Department of Public Works said it would provide essential services only from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and suspended all VITRAN routes until further notice. The Department of Tourism said its offices were closed until further notice.

The Judicial Branch postponed all in-person proceedings scheduled to begin on or before April 1, except for stalking, domestic violence and advice-of-rights hearings. The Legislature also postponed hearings and meetings in both districts and closed its facilities to the public.

Other changes included closures or restricted access at the Office of Collective Bargaining, Office of the Territorial Public Defender, Office of Veterans Affairs, Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority, Virgin Islands Police Department, Virgin Islands Public Services Commission and VITEMA.

The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority announced revised operating hours for landfills, transfer stations and convenience centers, while the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said customer service offices would offer limited walk-in service.

Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center revised general visitation hours to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and said visitors would be screened before entering the facility.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/government-agencies-announce-changes-to-normal-operations-in-response-to-covid-19-2/