Gambling is now officially legal in the Virgin Islands, but it may not be as tightly controlled as legislators previously claimed. When Premier Andrew Fahie introduced the controversial gambling bill …
September 2, 2020
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 …
July 29, 2020
Telecommunications commission eyes $23m in uncollected levies
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission failed to collect nearly $23 million in levies due from licensed operators since 2007, and it now has been charged with getting those funds, Premier Andrew …
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July 24, 2020
Scaled-back August Festival is on
Though the celebrations will look notably different from typical years, the August Emancipation Festival will still happen in the coming weeks despite the complications of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to …
July 24, 2020
Bridges burnt over unpaid government bills
The Transportation, Works and Utilities Ministry recently has struggled to secure the services of some construction vendors who refuse to assist until they get paid for past work, according to …
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July 24, 2020
Endangered species law passes House
A bill designed to protect the Virgin Islands’ natural resources passed the House of Assembly on Monday following a full day of closed-door deliberation. The Trade In Endangered Species (CITES) …
July 23, 2020
Labour relaxes new work-permit rules
On July 10, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Wheatley announced the immediate implementation of extra steps for businesses renewing work permits. This week, he walked back that plan …
July 20, 2020
HOA mulls bill to protect endangered species
The Anegada rock iguana, queen conch, frigate bird and turtle dove are just some of the Virgin Islands animals that could receive stronger protections under proposed legislation currently before the …
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July 20, 2020
Government looks to ban TBT paint, sewage dumping
Residents are being encouraged to support reef-friendly products as government works to phase out suntan lotions and antifouling paints containing chemicals harmful to marine life, Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration …
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July 17, 2020
Changes coming to road rules
A legislative overhaul is in the works for the rules of the road, Transportation, Works and Utilities Minister Kye Rymer said July 10 during a House of Assembly sitting. Mr. …
July 17, 2020
Jobless expats asked to leave
Government is instructing expatriates who are unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic to return to their home countries as soon as possible unless they have the requisite permission to seek …
July 17, 2020
Sweeping rewrite of police rules on table
Coming on the heels of widespread protests around the world concerning the death of George Floyd and the role of police in communities, the House of Assembly is considering a …
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July 17, 2020
NHI owes providers $4 million
The $7.5 million in Covid-19 relief funding earmarked to pay medical providers for their services rendered through the National Health Insurance system only went so far, and nearly $4 million …
July 17, 2020
Housing programme still doling out funds
As the territory advances into the height of the hurricane season, more residents are receiving help to rebuild their homes through the government’s Housing Recovery Assistance Programme, according to Deputy …
July 14, 2020
HOA passes bill to expunge pot crimes
A companion bill to the Cannabis Licensing Act, 2020 that would expunge the records of some people convicted for carrying small amounts of marijuana received the stamp of approval from …
July 14, 2020
Bill makes space for alternative medicine
While debating a bill that would update oversight for the practice of medicine, dentistry and alternative care in the territory, members of the House of Assembly also took a broader …
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July 3, 2020
House green-lights medical marijuana
After hours of public debate followed by similarly lengthy closed-door deliberations, the House of Assembly passed a bill on Tuesday that would legalise the production and use of medical marijuana …
July 3, 2020
Food security, sustainability bill in works
Sustainable food production in the Virgin Islands has been a hot topic since long before the emergence of Covid-19, and legislators are crafting a new bill to comprehensively address it. …
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July 1, 2020
JVD ferry terminal nears completion
Visitors to and from Jost Van Dyke should soon be able to travel in greater comfort with the anticipated opening of the Dog Hole ferry terminal by July 31. “The …
July 1, 2020
Community centres to be rebuilt in Brewers, Cane
Plans are in the works to rebuild the community centres in Brewers Bay and Cane Garden Bay that sustained damage in the 2017 hurricanes, according to Deputy Premier Carvin Malone. …
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June 26, 2020
House of Assembly bumps liquor licensing law again
Business owners hoping to sell liquor currently must contend with a process that allows them an extremely limited number of days to seek a licence in the Magistrates’ Court, according …
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June 26, 2020
Free shuttle service to start Monday in Road Town
In a continued effort to alleviate traffic congestion in Road Town, a free park-and-ride shuttle service will be launched next week to offer rides between the Port Purcell and Prospect …
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June 26, 2020
Repairs to Jost Van Dyke buildings hit delays
Preliminary efforts to repair the hurricane-damaged Public Works Department building and Water and Sewerage Department building on Jost Van Dyke are making progress, but the process is taking longer than …
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June 26, 2020
Government mulls bill to legalise marijuana
Companion bills designed to legalise medicinal marijuana and expunge criminal records of those charged with carrying small amounts of the drug were introduced for a first reading on June 19 …
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June 26, 2020
House okays gambling
Despite concerns raised by some community leaders and members of the House of Assembly, legislators unanimously voted to legalise gambling in the territory, paving the way for lotteries, casinos, horse-race …
