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, …
July 8, 2020
July 6, 2020
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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July 3, 2020
Summer programmes, daycares to open soon
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 …
July 2, 2020
Governor supports constitutional review
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, …
July 2, 2020
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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June 30, 2020
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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June 25, 2020
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 …
June 25, 2020
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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June 24, 2020
Hospitality industry demands border info
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 …
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 14, 2020
EDITORIAL: The good, bad and ugly of the economic stimulus
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 …
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June 11, 2020
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 …
June 11, 2020
Pandemic could cause rise in fraud cases in VI
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 …
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June 11, 2020
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, …
June 5, 2020
EDITORIAL: Covid and hurricanes mean a double whammy
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 …
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June 4, 2020
$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 …
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 29, 2020
With no known Covid cases, opening speeds up
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 …
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May 29, 2020
Caribbean islands prepare for tourism
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 …
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 27, 2020
COMMENTARY — ‘Seven stages of coronavirus’
Public reaction to the sudden and drastic change from the new coronavirus pandemic is worthy of assessment. The pandemic has had a major impact on public psychology in every country …
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May 27, 2020
COMMENTARY — Residents warned to use sanitisers safely
As a former power walker, I sympathise with the runners who are now allowed to exercise outdoors but are expected to wear face masks that obstruct their breathing. However, recent …
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