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 24, 2020
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 …
Continue reading “95 test negative in improved Covid-19 lab”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: The good, bad and ugly of the economic stimulus”
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 …
Continue reading “Pandemic could cause rise in fraud cases in VI”
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 …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Covid and hurricanes mean a double whammy”
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 …
Continue reading “Border re-opens to nationals, permanent residents”
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 …
Continue reading “With no known Covid cases, opening speeds up”
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 …
Continue reading “Governor urges residents to keep up Covid-19 safety measures”
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 …
Continue reading “Premier, governor trade jabs over Protocols”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — ‘Seven stages of coronavirus’”
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 …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents warned to use sanitisers safely”
May 26, 2020
How to communicate in a pandemic
Circumstances have changed dramatically for Virgin Islands businesses in recent weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some may have gone from encouraging employees to work from home to shutting down …
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 22, 2020
Opposition proposes stimulus package
Opposition members criticised the government on Monday for delaying an economic stimulus package and they proposed a plan of their own, but Premier Andrew Fahie clapped back the next day, …
May 21, 2020
Caribbean e-commerce gets a boost from Covid
The coronavirus lockdowns have highlighted the Caribbean’s struggles to implement e-commerce solutions, but they have also presented an opportunity for innovation, according to a Zoom panel made up of owners …
Continue reading “Caribbean e-commerce gets a boost from Covid”
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 …
Continue reading “Experts advise looking abroad for ideas on reopening”
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 …
Continue reading “Drop in Covid-19 numbers boosts the reopening”
May 20, 2020
BVIOC prez talks sports during pandemic
BVI Olympic Committee President Ephraim Penn recently answered some questions about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting sports in the territory and its Olympians. Below are his responses. When do …
May 20, 2020
COMMENTARY — Residents urged to handle sanitisers, wipes with care
I recently read the subtitles on a video as a bright young girl led viewers round her refugee camp. She took us to a communal standpipe, filled a small jerrycan …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — Residents urged to handle sanitisers, wipes with care”
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 …
Continue reading “Sister islands hard hit by tourism closure”
