Bryan announced stricter enforcement on masks, restaurants, funerals and boating amid COVID-19 surge

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Aug. 10, 2020, that the Virgin Islands would begin stricter enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions, including limits on funerals, penalties for mask violations, restaurant closures for noncompliance, and fines or possible seizure of boats involved in "rafting."

Under the measures announced during his weekly briefing, funerals and memorials were limited to immediate family members, with no more than 10 family members at one time. Restaurants that violated applicable COVID-19 operating guidelines faced 30-day closures and administrative fines from the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs.

Bryan also said boats were prohibited from tying up together in bays or anchorages, and vessels were required to remain 12 feet apart except in a medical emergency. Boats also were barred from anchoring in designated swimming areas. Violations could bring fines of up to $10,000 per incident and possible seizure by the Virgin Islands government.

People found in violation of the territory's mask order faced a $50 fine for a first offense and $100 for each additional offense.

Bryan said the territory had 547 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 128 active cases, 410 recoveries and nine deaths. He said travelers accounted for 69 positive cases, while 145 were attributed to community spread and 268 to close contact with someone who had tested positive.

He said the outbreak was most severe in the St. Thomas-St. John District, with nearly 100 active cases on St. Thomas.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-increases-enforcement-for-restaurants-boaters-and-approves-fines-for-people-not-wearing-masks/