Following hundreds of Covid-19 tests that skyrocketed the Virgin Islands’ tally of confirmed cases over the past three weeks, government announced on Tuesday that 111 people had all tested negative …
September 11, 2020
September 3, 2020
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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September 1, 2020
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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September 1, 2020
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 …
August 25, 2020
Borders to open to expats Sept. 1
The week after extending the ban on expatriates entering the territory, government reversed course on Friday and said they could return starting Sept. 1 as part of a whirlwind of …
August 8, 2020
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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August 2, 2020
Jost lockdown lifted as Cuban doctors arrive
With a lockdown of Jost Van Dyke lifted after 335 residents on the island tested negative for Covid-19 and none tested positive, the territory remains under a curfew between midnight …
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July 24, 2020
Jost Van Dyke is under full lockdown
Three days after learning that a former Jost Van Dyke resident tested positive for Covid-19 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, government announced on Tuesday morning that JVD would be …
July 24, 2020
22 Cuban medical workers to arrive today
Twenty-two medical personnel from Cuba are due to arrive in the territory today and will be quarantined for two weeks before they get to work assisting with the Covid-19 response, …
July 7, 2020
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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June 24, 2020
Tourism sector jobs hard hit by pandemic
The picture of how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the Virgin Islands workforce became a bit clearer last week. As more businesses responded to government’s request for information, 337 companies …
June 18, 2020
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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June 4, 2020
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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June 3, 2020
Pandemic complicates hurricane season
Though hurricane season is nothing new to most Virgin Islands residents, preparation work for it may look quite different this year. Governor Gus Jaspert offered a reminder that although the …
May 28, 2020
Governor urges residents to keep up Covid-19 safety measures
Five days before government announced Tuesday that there are no more known active cases of Covid-19 in the territory, Governor Gus Jaspert called on Virgin Islands residents to remain vigilant …
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May 28, 2020
Premier, governor trade jabs over Protocols
“How much money do we allow for Covid-19?” Premier Andrew Fahie asked last Thursday during a press conference. “That, no one can answer. How much are we going to put …
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May 24, 2020
Worship in the time of Covid-19
Sunday, May 10, was the first day leaders at the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church were allowed to return to the sanctuary, and Pastor Dr. Michael Turnbull said their reunion …
May 21, 2020
Experts advise looking abroad for ideas on reopening
As the Virgin Islands and other Caribbean nations consider how to re-open their borders following the coronavirus pandemic, they could find helpful examples and cautionary tales in other island nations …
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May 21, 2020
Drop in Covid-19 numbers boosts the reopening
With only one confirmed case of Covid-19 still active in the Virgin Islands, residents are progressing toward a more familiar way of living in the territory. From her stand near …
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May 19, 2020
Sister islands hard hit by tourism closure
During a normal tourism season on Anegada, Liston Potter’s restaurant Potter’s by the Sea is a popular hangout. But like other hospitality businesses, it was shut down by the coronavirus …
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May 15, 2020
EDITORIAL: System of ‘temporary layoffs’ needs reform
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, government leaders are promising to extend the three-month maximum for “temporary” layoffs permitted under their interpretation of the 2010 Labour Code. Though they have …
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May 14, 2020
Deputy premier confirms 8th Covid-19 case
Deputy Premier Carvin Malone announced Thursday evening that the Caribbean Public Health Agency confirmed an eighth case of Covid-19 in the Virgin Islands. The case is now the only active …
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April 30, 2020
Re-opening for business: After lockdown, economy chugging back to life
On Monday morning, for the first time in more than three weeks, patrons queued up in front of banks, farmers sold their wares on shaded sidewalks, and residents wandered supermarket …
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April 30, 2020
‘I packed 300 food bags for aid effort’
At 11:30 p.m. last Thursday night, I tied my sneakers and walked out in the empty street with a mask already on my face. Waiting at the corner was my …
April 30, 2020
Premier: Stimulus ‘template’ approved
A “template” of an economic stimulus plan has been approved by the Cabinet and will be presented to the public soon, Premier Andrew Fahie promised on Saturday. Though he stopped …
