Government announced Monday that 1,039 businesses will receive funds under the $6.5 million Small Business Sector Grant Programme, and 10 others will benefit from a $40,000 United Nations Development Programme …
September 18, 2020
September 17, 2020
Curfew relaxed as Covid reports slow
With just five new cases of Covid-19 announced over the past week, Cabinet decided to issue a relaxed curfew order that took effect yesterday, allowing most businesses to open and …
September 16, 2020
Bermuda governor to succeed Jaspert
Governor Gus Jaspert, who has served the Virgin Islands for just over three years, announced today that current Bermuda Governor John Rankin will take his place at the start of …
September 14, 2020
Covid curbs booming business recovery
When Hurricane Irma hit the territory three years ago, John Klein had been in the process of expanding his Jost Van Dyke property White Bay Villas. “The only reason we …
September 11, 2020
Latest batch of Covid tests return
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 7, 2020
EDITORIAL: Last month’s press conference should be repeated weekly
Kudos to government for hosting a comprehensive press conference last month in a format that we hope will become the new normal going forward. The session was ideal for several …
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September 5, 2020
Pinching pennies amid pandemic
In March, just as Covid-19 hit the Caribbean, Peter George, CEO of the Trinidad-based restaurant group Trent Limited, closed his portfolio of eateries before the government made him. “You could …
September 4, 2020
Opposition takes aim at Covid response
The day after the government hosted a more-than-three-hour-long Covid-19 press conference last week, opposition members voiced their concerns about leaders’ recent decisions, calling on them to present a detailed plan …
September 4, 2020
‘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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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 3, 2020
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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September 2, 2020
EDITORIAL: Even the Covid-19 pandemic has silver linings
The territory now faces one of the darkest times yet in its fight against Covid-19, but the crisis will not last forever. Eventually, a vaccine or other solution will be …
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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 28, 2020
Gov’t ignored 5 letters, BVICCHA says
Since the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association’s Business Task Force first met on March 19, the group has sent the government five letters with situation reports and recommendations …
August 27, 2020
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 …
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 25, 2020
EDITORIAL: Plan for tourism opening needed now
Following the government’s recent announcement that expatriates will be allowed to enter the territory starting in September, one big question remains about plans for the border reopening: When will tourists …
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August 19, 2020
EDITORIAL: Government right to reopen borders to expats
The government is right to use caution when reopening the borders during the pandemic, but we are glad that leaders have finally announced a plan to allow the return of …
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August 13, 2020
New college grads prepare for new VI
Students shared video messages recounting their days at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College during a semi-virtual graduation celebration on Aug. 2 that coincided with the college’s 30th anniversary. “As we …
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 31, 2020
Virtual graduation ceremonies continue
Graduates from the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies showed strength and resilience in completing their studies amidst the ongoing recovery from the 2017 hurricanes, and host Ronn Grant of …
July 27, 2020
EDITORIAL: Graduates have overcome much, but a hard road is ahead
As the graduation season gets under way, we wish a hearty congratulations to the Class of 2020, which has overcome formidable challenges that we fear are not over yet. Most …
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July 24, 2020
Graduating in a pandemic
“Congratulations, Zawie,” one commenter wrote on Cedar International School’s live broadcast of the senior graduation ceremony on June 25. “U made yr family proud. U jst end one journey but …
