The restaurant industry, which has been hit hard during the coronavirus pandemic, is struggling back to life as the economy reopens. But even as takeout and delivery becomes ubiquitous throughout …
Many charter boats calling it a season
With the borders still closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, what remains of the Virgin Islands’ yachting season is looking like a wash for some charter companies and crew who …
Branson offers Necker as collateral
Sir Richard Branson wants a $500 million bailout for Virgin Atlantic from the United Kingdom government, and after the request drew criticism he offered up Necker Island as collateral. “Over …
Chamber offers ideas to help businesses
With much of the economy still shut down, how do employers pay laid-off work permit holders so they can survive and stay in the territory? Why can’t businesses that don’t …
HOA votes to levy 7% tax on sending money via money services
The Financing and Money Services Act 2020, which passed unanimously Friday in the House of Assembly, imposes a seven percent tax on funds sent outside the territory via money services …
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Testing rate lags in VI
Although the Virgin Islands has been testing residents for Covid-19 since the first case was confirmed on March 25, it has fallen behind some of its neighbours in the region, …
Amid pandemic, tourism stalls
Nearly two and a half years after Hurricane Irma, tourism in the Virgin Islands was back. Hotel rooms were full, cruise cabins were packed, charter yachts were booked solid. Then …
Paradise Hotel in Road Town serving as prison
Rooms at the Paradise Hotel, located above One Stop Mall on Waterfront Drive, are currently housing two people ordered by the court to be quarantined in light of the threat …
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Extra load strains VI Internet
As internet traffic migrates from offices and schools to homes during the 14-day COVID-19 lockdown, the territory’s telecommunications providers have found themselves under increased strain in the face of customer …
Law helps financial services shift abroad in crisis
A law rushed through the House of Assembly last month and Gazetted last Thursday is designed to help the financial services industry continue to work remotely in exceptional circumstances, such …
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Businesses retool products to fight virus
For Linda Phillips of Doyle Sailmakers, the coronavirus pandemic has meant learning an entirely new skill. The company is now producing face masks to help health care workers and patients …
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Pre-curfew water woes caused by cleaning, minister says
Recent water shortages were the result of producers cleaning their systems, and the issue was being addressed as of last Friday, March 27, with teams at work restoring service to …
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Don’t overbuy, warn supermarkets
Supermarkets in the territory will be able to restock shelves during the ongoing lockdown and are not in danger of running out of essentials, according to supermarket personnel and a …
Financial services adapt to ‘social distancing’
For financial services firms now compelled to conduct most or all of their business virtually due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the Virgin Islands is an ideal place to do …
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Banks roll out flexible payments, safety measures
Virgin Islands banks are taking “proactive steps” to help customers struggling through the global coronavirus pandemic, according to a statement issued Friday by the seven-member BVI Bank Association. This might …
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Quarantined: Business editor recounts journey back to VI
When I left the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, March 11 for a short trip to Austin, Texas, things seemed mostly like business as usual. A brief COVID-19 scare in the …
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Businesses learn how to cope with virus
Hand sanitiser may be scarce on Virgin Islands store shelves, but public health personnel have a message for business owners seeking to protect staff and customers from contacting the deadly …
Pier Park braces in case of virus
On Tuesday at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, the doors of shops and restaurants were flung wide open to the roughly 4,000 passengers aboard the Disney Fantasy moored …
Panel seeks to demystify bank loans
In these days of increased regulations and enhanced due diligence, applying for a bank loan can be dizzying. But five bankers were on hand to demystify the process for nearly …
Answers on Tortola Pier Park customs duty raise questions
Last week Premier Andrew Fahie provided some previously missing data on the amount of revenue the Customs Department collected from licensed duty-free merchants at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier …
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Beer designed to be VI’s ‘own’
When Robin Periana and Mike Kyne began exploring the Virgin Islands, hoping to find a place to begin new chapters of their lives, it didn’t take long before a business …
New, reopening restaurants show off at fundraiser
With new ingredients, new facilities, new locations and new personnel, many of the businesses that showcased their wares at the annual Governor’s Gourmet Gathering on Friday agreed with Bitter End …
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Virgin Islands makes EU ‘white list’
The Virgin Islands is one of 16 countries and territories newly whitelisted by the European Union on Tuesday, with the reveal of the EU’s revised “white list” of “non-cooperative tax …
New app to guide tourists, residents
A few months ago, David Penn found a stranger in front of his house looking for the law firm Mourant Ozannes. Although Mr. Penn informed him he had arrived at …
Plaza partners with government job effort
Thirty Virgin Islanders have jobs because a new gas station and car wash is taking part in government’s “1,000 Jobs in 1,000 Days” programme, officials said this week. Owner Allison …
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