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 …
April 17, 2020
April 17, 2020
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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April 16, 2020
United States seized and released medical supplies bound for Virgin Islands
The Virgin Islands is now among a growing list of jurisdictions affected by United States President Donald Trump’s controversial decision to ban the export of certain medical equipment designed to …
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April 14, 2020
Residents get creative, stay social online
Christian MacDonald is showing residents how to build cocktails without professional equipment, and he’s doing it 100 percent remotely. “I decided that since there’s no work to be had, I …
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April 14, 2020
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 …
April 13, 2020
EDITORIAL: Recent lockdown mistakes must serve as a lesson
The government deserves kudos for the early implementation of strict measures to mitigate the coronavirus pandemic, but we were disheartened by the poorly planned curfew transition that predictably drew uncontrolled …
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April 9, 2020
As stores swarmed, lockdown strategy debated
Crowds swarmed grocery stores and other businesses late last week to prepare for a 14-day lockdown in the territory, sparking heated criticism and raising questions about the government’s unusual system …
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April 9, 2020
Locked down for 14 days
Seventeen COVID-19 tests came back negative on Monday, which means the number of confirmed cases in the territory remains at three, but officials warned that the local danger from the …
April 3, 2020
Cuban medical personnel on the way to the territory
In an effort to source medical assistance with the coronavirus response, the Virgin Islands has reached out internationally, and 30 medical personnel are coming soon from Cuba, according to Premier …
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April 3, 2020
Expert: Current curfew is probably not enough
A six-day, 24-hour lockdown of the territory began Friday night after officials announced the first two confirmed cases of COVID- 19 in the territory, but even with an additional two-week …
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April 3, 2020
Stimulus package promised soon
As the coronavirus pandemic batters the economy here and abroad, Premier Andrew Fahie promised Tuesday evening that the Virgin Islands will soon join the many other nations around the world …
April 3, 2020
New laws rushed through HOA to help with coronavirus response
During a Friday sitting at Save the Seed Energy Centre in Duffs Bottom, the House of Assembly rushed through two laws that legislators said will help the territory respond to …
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April 3, 2020
Curfew extended as 3rd case confirmed
Three days after the third COVID-19 case was confirmed in the territory, a 14-day extension of an initial six-day curfew began yesterday with exceptions for limited travel to groceries, pharmacies, …
March 31, 2020
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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March 31, 2020
EDITORIAL: Economic stimulus package needed now
As the coronavirus pandemic reaches these shores and the economy tanks here and abroad, we were glad to hear Premier Andrew Fahie promise last week that his government plans to …
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March 27, 2020
Layoffs loom after border closure
The sudden shutdown of the tourism industry and other businesses in the Virgin Islands due to the coronavirus pandemic — coupled with global economic concerns — is leaving employees with …
March 27, 2020
Government to inject $2 million into farming, fishing
Amid concern about the long-term effects of the coronavirus pandemic, the Cabinet on Friday, March 20, approved a $2 million economic stimulus package for fishing and farming in the Virgin …
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March 26, 2020
UK promises medical support during pandemic
Officials from the United Kingdom have said that the UK is procuring medical equipment and support for each of its overseas territories, including the Virgin Islands, during the coronavirus pandemic. …
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March 26, 2020
Public officers eligible for ‘pandemic leave’
As part of efforts to combat the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which was confirmed here yesterday, the government has been rolling out an emergency workplace policy for the civil …
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March 26, 2020
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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March 26, 2020
Coronavirus confirmed in the Virgin Islands, curfew in effect
The government announced the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus in the Virgin Islands yesterday as nearly 5,000 viewers tuned in to a Facebook livestream. Hours later, a territory-wide …
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March 25, 2020
March 24, 2020
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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March 23, 2020
EDITORIAL: In a crisis, communication must be a two-way street
Until March 17 the government had begun falling behind in its duty to keep the public informed about COVID-19 in the territory, but it took important steps that day when …
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March 20, 2020
Tortola travellers took flight linked to COVID-19 cases
Though no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Virgin Islands, government officials here were working early this week to track down passengers who shared a plane from London …
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