Shortly after hurricanes Irma and Maria caused an estimated $572 million in damage to nearly 7,000 residential buildings across the territory, Virgin Islands leaders announced a plan to spend more …
September 13, 2020
September 2, 2020
Gambling law guts rules in original bill
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 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 …
August 26, 2020
Nursing bill would open door for diversity in field
Proposed legislation regulating the licensing, practice and discipline of nursing and midwifery is awaiting debate in the House of Assembly. The Nurses and Midwives Act 2020 came for a first reading …
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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 24, 2020
$2.4m dished out for unemployment relief
Out of 7,650 claims made to access part of the government’s $10 million Unemployment Relief Fund, 1,738 people have received a total of $2,421,238.32, according to Natural Resources, Labour and …
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 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 29, 2020
Airport expansion in the works once again
During last year’s election campaign, now-Premier Andrew Fahie opposed the incumbents’ rush to extend the Beef Island runway following the government’s receipt of a $153 million bid from the China …
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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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