Bryan said beaches would reopen April 20 as territory reported 51 COVID-19 cases

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on April 17 that the U.S. Virgin Islands planned to reopen beaches on Monday, April 20, while keeping limits on gatherings of more than 10 people in place.

Speaking during a COVID-19 briefing at Government House in Christiansted, Bryan said residents using the beaches should follow social-distancing guidelines and keep space between families. He also said beach bars and restaurants would remain closed and warned that beaches could be closed again if large gatherings occurred.

Bryan said water-quality testing results would not be available until later in the following week and that beachgoers would be swimming at their own risk.

The governor also offered condolences to the family and friends of a 72-year-old St. Thomas woman who became the territory's second COVID-19 death. Government House said she had underlying health conditions and contracted the virus through community spread.

As of the morning of April 17, the territory had tested 458 people for COVID-19, with 373 negative results, 51 positive results and 34 pending tests, according to Government House. Of the positive cases, 46 people had recovered and two had died, leaving three active cases being tracked by the Health Department.

Bryan also said the administration was considering either reopening VITRAN service or contracting with private taxi companies to help elderly and disabled residents who were having difficulty finding transportation for daily errands.

He said his next COVID-19 briefing was tentatively scheduled for April 20.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-plans-to-reopen-beaches-on-monday/