"The light that comes from wisdom never goes out"
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 …
Continue reading “Business grant applications are still not available”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Social life, parties returning to islands”
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, …
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 …
Continue reading “UNDP: Cash grants could help Virgin Islands through pandemic”
With the school year ending, government recently announced that summer school programmes will be allowed to operate soon if they get the right approvals. Cabinet also recently approved the reopening …
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Governor Gus Jaspert gave updates on the recent Black Lives Matter march, environmental grants, the coming constitutional review, hurricane preparedness, and other topics. However, …
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 …
Continue reading “Two tested early for Covid, results negative”
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. …
Continue reading “Government spent nearly $1m to provide free water”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Work-permit holders to foot quarantine bills”
With no confirmed date for the full reopening of the borders and no stated protocols in place for tourist arrivals in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, the approximately 140 …
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “95 test negative in improved Covid-19 lab”
After months of delays, in late May the government finally unveiled a comprehensive economic stimulus package designed to help the territory through the coronavirus pandemic. We are glad that leaders …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The good, bad and ugly of the economic stimulus”
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 …
The economic fallout from the Covid-19 crisis has sent businesses across the globe reeling — and fraudulent businesses are no exception, Virgin Islands based asset recovery lawyer Martin Kenney said …
Continue reading “Pandemic could cause rise in fraud cases in VI”
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, …
Everyone in the territory should be preparing now for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which started on Monday and will continue through the end of November. The season is forecast to …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Covid and hurricanes mean a double whammy”
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 …
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 …
Continue reading “Border re-opens to nationals, permanent residents”
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 …
In recent weeks, Martin and Lucy Whitrod, a father and daughter who own and manage Beans Coffee Shop in the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, had been offering only …
Continue reading “With no known Covid cases, opening speeds up”
When the doors of the Virgin Islands reopen to tourism, the territory’s leaders say, they intend to be ready. Some competing countries and territories in the region have announced plans …
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 …
Continue reading “Governor urges residents to keep up Covid-19 safety measures”
