Bryan issued Safer at Home order effective May 4, 2020

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced on April 29, 2020, that he had issued a "Safer At Home" order effective May 4, 2020, and an executive order outlining a phased reopening of nonessential businesses in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Government House said the existing stay-at-home order was extended until 6 a.m. on May 4, 2020. It said the territory would move under a five-tier system from orange, the stay-at-home phase, to yellow, the Safer At Home phase, with a blue "Open Doors" phase anticipated on June 1, 2020, and a green "New Normal" phase after that.

Under the May 4 order, face masks were required for patrons entering businesses and for gatherings of people, with exceptions for children age 2 and younger and people with acute respiratory ailments. Recreation facilities including gyms, tennis courts and golf courses could reopen if they maintained social distancing, while contact sports including basketball, volleyball and football remained prohibited.

Bowling alleys and movie theaters could reopen if they practiced social distancing, but they could not sell food or drink or host parties. Private offices could reopen, though employees not critical to in-person services were to be encouraged to work from home. Private health-care facilities could resume procedures if they followed safety protocols.

Personal service businesses, including barbers, massage therapists and hair salons, could operate by appointment only under hygiene and sanitization requirements. No more than five customers could wait at one time, and no more than 10 people, including employees, could be inside those establishments at once. Retail stores also were limited to 10 people at a time, excluding grocery stores and previously exempted big-box stores.

Restaurants remained limited to takeout, delivery and drive-thru service, and bars remained closed. Churches could hold services for up to 50 people if all attendees, including the pastor, wore face masks. Nursing-home visitation remained prohibited, child-care facilities remained closed, and public, private and parochial schools remained closed. Government operations remained under existing public-interaction restrictions until further notice.

Government House said vulnerable individuals should stay home as much as possible, defining that group as people 65 or older, people with chronic lung disease or severe asthma, people with serious heart conditions, immunocompromised people, and pregnant women.

The administration also reported on April 29, 2020, that the territory had seven active COVID-19 cases, 62 positive tests, 732 negative tests, 78 pending tests and four fatalities, with 872 individuals tested to date.

Government House said the Bryan administration had secured a $60 million line of credit for government operations and $75 million from the federal CARES Act, and had applied a $250 credit to residential WAPA accounts and a $500 credit to commercial accounts. It also said the Labor Department had processed 2,012 unemployment checks totaling $1,412,217.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-issues-safer-at-home-order/