Aubrey Daniels, a 59-year-old belonger who was arrested Monday following an anonymous tip and charged with illegal entry and providing false information to the police, pleaded not guilty to all …
‘Manage It’ phase in effect as Covid spikes
Twenty-one more cases of Covid-19 have been detected throughout the territory in the past seven days, briefly shutting down two police stations after officers tested positive and prompting leaders to …
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Border relaxation coincides with Covid spike
While the Virgin Islands moves to the orange “Manage It” phase of its pandemic plan as a result of increased Covid-19 transmission in the community, Tuesday also marked the first …
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Inside government’s pandemic strategy (FULL PLAN)
As new Covid-19 cases spike across the Virgin Islands and strict controls on movement are reinstated, residents have asked whether government leaders have been using a plan to guide their …
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Government launches mental health campaign
In an attempt to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support in the Virgin Islands amid the Covid-19 pandemic, a new educational campaign launched with a virtual meeting broadcast last Thursday …
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HOA approves reshuffle of 2020 budget
Because of government revenue losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, the House of Assembly recently decided to adjust the 2020 budget, approving $77 million in extra spending and shuffling tens of …
Active Covid cases spike to record high
Ten days ago, the Virgin Islands was being lauded as an example in the fight against Covid-19. There were no known active cases, the curfew had just been lifted, and …
Ninth case confirmed, expats still barred
After a ninth Covid-19 case was announced in the territory on Aug. 1, residents angrily debated government’s subsequent announcement that it would continue blocking expatriates stranded abroad from returning to …
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622 people tested for Covid-19 so far
More than two months have passed since the last confirmed case of Covid-19 in the territory was announced on May 14, though testing and the return of nationals has not …
Business grant applications are still not available
Government initially promised that applications for business grants from a $6.5 million fund aimed at alleviating financial hardships due to Covid-19 would be available on June 15, but as of …
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Paid testing extended to travellers
The BVI Health Services Authority is expanding Covid-19 testing to include people needing a test for travel or elective procedures, but at a cost that was not disclosed. Residents who …
Social life, parties returning to islands
For John Paul, a waiter at Marche in Trellis Bay, life during the Covid-19 pandemic will take some adjusting, but business is looking up. Hours before a full moon party …
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Experts weigh in on EU, Covid-19
The global Covid-19 crisis is slowing the ongoing implementation of “economic substance” rules that affect international financial centres, but this delay may result in a more considered strategy and rollout, …
After wife’s Covid death, widower left with questions
When Deputy Premier Carvin Malone announced on April 16 that a patient at Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital had tested positive locally for Covid-19, he implied that she had waited too …
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UNDP: Cash grants could help Virgin Islands through pandemic
To get through the Covid-19 pandemic, the government should consider providing cash grants under a system modelled on the Financial Assistance Programme rolled out after Hurricane Irma, according to a …
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Two tested early for Covid, results negative
The Virgin Islands remains free of known active cases of Covid-19 in spite of concerns aired in recent days about possible infection among returnees, but the pandemic is not slowing …
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Government spent nearly $1m to provide free water
Government spent $949,024.81 to provide free water to residents between March 19 and June 1, Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer said on Friday in the House of Assembly. …
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6,000 apply for unemployment aid
Since the Social Security Board started processing applications for unemployment relief on June 2, 94 people have received a total of $176,107.74 from the temporary programme funded by a $10 …
Work-permit holders to foot quarantine bills
Government is dishing out $2.4 million to contract quarantine facilities for returning nationals and permanent residents until Sept. 14, but work-permit holders will have to pay for their own quarantine …
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95 test negative in improved Covid-19 lab
Ninety-five tests have been conducted at the recently improved Covid-19 lab in the Dr. Orlando Smith Hospital, and all returned negative, Health and Social Development Minister Carvin Malone announced last …
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New stimulus gets mixed reviews
Last week, government began rolling out several initiatives under the “second phase” of its Economic Response Plan to Covid-19, but questions remain about whether the package is helping people in …
New fund allows tax-exempt donations for Virgin Islands
Government is working with private-sector partners to re-establish a fund that leaders say will now be used to solicit donations to “alleviate poverty and suffering” in the territory. Last Thursday, …
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86 return to territory in eight days
During a sunny and breezy Sunday, beachgoers crowded Cane Garden Bay, sipping cold drinks and relaxing on beach chairs. No one wore a face mask. But as 5 p.m. approached, …
$62.9m stimulus package unveiled
Long-anticipated stimulus measures to boost the economy and mitigate the financial effects of the Covid-19 pandemic were unveiled last week in the form of a $62.9 million package funded mostly …
Border re-opens to nationals, permanent residents
Christi Maddox, owner of Villas Virgin Gorda, already has confirmed one booking for a staycation in Virgin Gorda, and she has fielded four inquiries since Monday. “We are just waiting …
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