More than two months have passed since the last confirmed case of Covid-19 in the territory was announced on May 14, though testing and the return of nationals has not …
COMMENTARY — Post-Covid economy pondered
Covid-19 — not any type of stimulus — will determine the length of recession, the trajectory of recession, and the type of economic recovery the world experiences. Stimulus in the …
Business grant applications are still not available
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 …
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Paid testing extended to travellers
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 …
Social life, parties returning to islands
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 …
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Experts weigh in on EU, Covid-19
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, …
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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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 …
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, …
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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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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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 …
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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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 …
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 …
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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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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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 …
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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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, …
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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$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 …
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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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 …
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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