Bryan signs law granting paid administrative leave to certain first responders during medical pandemics

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed Bill No. 33-0341 into law on Aug. 12, 2020, amending Virgin Islands law to authorize paid administrative leave for certain government employees during a medical pandemic or medical state of emergency.

Act 8327 granted up to 80 hours of administrative leave with pay to government first responders, medical personnel and support staff who were unable to work in their usual work areas or from home because they were showing symptoms and required diagnosis, were quarantined by the Virgin Islands government or a health-care provider, were experiencing conditions substantially similar to the pandemic or emergency, had acute health issues or discomfort that appeared linked to time spent at work but with no specific illness or cause determined, or had an exacerbation of a confirmed pre-existing condition.

The measure added Section 590c to Title 3, Chapter 25, Subchapter VI of the Virgin Islands Code. Government House said the provision applied only during a medical pandemic or territorial state of emergency.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-signs-bill-allowing-first-responders-to-get-paid-administrative-leave-in-medical-pandemics/