Uncategorized

Health Commissioner Issues Public Health Order Prohibiting Live Bands at Outdoor Events

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

US VIRGIN ISLANDS — Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion on Friday issued a Public Health Order prohibiting live bands at outdoor events and clarifying guidelines for DJ performances and food and alcohol sales.

The Order prohibits live bands at outdoor events from Saturday, October 10, through Friday, November 6and sets parameters for DJ performances.

Commissioner Encarnacion issued the order on Thursday, October 8, and Governor Albert Bryan Jr. affirmed it with his signature on Friday, October 9.

According to the Health Commissioner:

  • Gatherings that exceed 50 persons, including, but not limited to, political campaign events or meetings, concerts, parties, cultural events, and other gatherings are prohibited;
  • Gatherings of less than 50 persons shall be allowed but must observe all social-distancing principles and wearing of facial coverings, in compliance will all mandates of the Sixteenth Supplemental Executive Order issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands on September 8, 2020, as amended and supplemented.
  • Live bands are prohibited at any outdoor event from Saturday, October 10, 2020, until Friday November 6, 2020;
  • Single person DJ performance shall be allowed within the parameters of this Order and the Sixteenth Supplemental Executive Order issued by the Governor of the Virgin Islands on September 8, 2020, as amended and supplemented. The DJ must be set up with a minimum space of ten (10) feet between the DJ and Patrons/Attendees using social distancing principles.
  • Pursuant to VI Law and this Order, the sale of food is prohibited without a current health card.

Pursuant to VI Law and this Order, the sale of alcohol is prohibited without a current liquor license issued by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs or a special permit issued by the Commissioner of the Police Department. 
Violators may be penalized as follows:

  • $1000 per participant for violation of the mass gathering prohibitions
  • $5000 per organizer of any mass gathering that violates the prohibitions
  • Immediate closure of the event.

All public health orders are available at the Department of Health website at doh.vi.gov.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

Scheduled Water Service Interruption To Affect Portions Of Savan Community on Sunday

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

WAPA ALERT

A Notification from The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority 

From 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2020, potable water customers in a portion of Savan will experience a service interruption while crews repair a leaking water main at the intersection of General Gade and Gamle Gade.

While repair work is underway, only northbound traffic will be permitted between the Gamle Gade intersection and Small Straede.

All efforts will be made to minimize the duration of Sunday’s water service interruption.

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Education

DLCA ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF PSI TEST CENTERS

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

The Virgin Islands Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (“DLCA”), notifies licensees and the public that PSI resumed operations of its Test Centers in the St. Croix and St. Thomas Districts following COVID-19 closures on March 13, 2020.

To encourage safe social distancing and promote the health and well-being of customers, the PSI team, and the community who relies on the DLCA & PSI’s Test Centers have implemented a few security measures, including but not limited to those listed below:

  • Candidate Health Questionnaire: Candidates are required to complete a health questionnaire related to possible COVID-19 exposure and present it when they arrive at the PSI test center.
  • Face Coverings: Face coverings are required for all Candidates and Test Center Administrators during the entire testing experience.
  • Enhanced Cleaning: High-touch areas, including but not limited to keyboards, desktops, chair handles, check-in stations, door handles, and writing instruments are sanitized after each use.

PSI Examination sites are located on St. Croix at the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs, 3000 Golden Rock Shopping Center, Christiansted, VI 00820; and, on St. Thomas at the University of the Virgin Islands at 2 John Brewers Bay, Cell Building, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Please note that all checks for examinations must be payable to PSI.  The Test Site hours of operations are:

On the day of the examination, you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. This extra time is for signing, identification, and familiarizing you with the examination process. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted to the examination site and you will forfeit your examination registration fee.  Dress appropriate and walk with a jacket.

 

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Crime

SENATORS UPDATED ON GUN VIOLENCE AND THE 9-1-1 OPERATING SYSTEM

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley

St. Thomas- Members of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs chaired by Sen. Steven Payne, Sr. convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building and received testimony on the rise of gun violence and the status of the protocols and proceduresimplemented to curtail crime in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Furthermore, lawmakers were updated on the 9–1–1 Operating System and the process of data collection. Invited testifiers are officials from the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA).

Presently, VIPD is strategically combating gun violence to reduce crime through partnerships with both Federal and local enforcement agencies; according to the VIPD Commissioner Trevor Velinor. The Federal and multi-agency law enforcement agencies have rendered significant progress for VIPD. For example, Velinor indicated that due to the efforts of VIPD, the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Federal agencies, and ATF, illegal firearms transported through luggage were confiscated at both airports in the Territory. The Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested suspects charged with felonies within the first 48 hours and eighteen vacant apartment units located in high-crime housing communities were secured by the VIPD Special Operations Bureau. Furthermore, Velinor mentioned that VIPD through the Deputy Commissioner of Operations is utilizing data collection that is used for allocating resources for crime and traffic safety. As a result, a total of 920 citations were issued to drivers for occupant protection, 281 for impaired driving, four arrests for driving under the influence, and five arrests for illegal firearm possession achieved by the VIPD Traffic Division, according to Velinor.

Despite the collaborative efforts of the VIPD, crime continues to rise in the Territory. Comparatively, to 2019, in 2020 there is a 29% rise in homicides with a 100% increase in related arrests. Velinor further mentioned that a to–date there are a total of 40 homicides in the Virgin Islands. Sen. Payne stated that the statistics are disheartening. “I am concerned because despitethe Federal and local partnerships there is a rise in crime in comparison to last year when people were free to traverse. Yet due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the community was on lockdown, many are working from home, and mass gatherings are prohibited. Yet there is an increase in violent crimes in the Territory. There needs to be more police presence in areas where shots are constantly fired.” Sen. Myron Jackson stated that a comprehensive approach to reducing gun violence in the Territory is required. “There are over 1,000 families who deserve an explanationand closure for the sudden and violent loss of their loved ones. VIPD needs a comprehensive plan to address gun violence,” Sen. Jackson said.

VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen shared an update on the 9–1–1 Operating System. VITEMA and VIPD work closely together utilizing emergency calls as a means of combating illegal activity. Thus far in 2020, because of residents calling 9-1-1 and ShotSpotter, there are a total of 1,547 weapons firearm complaints. The breakdown is as follows: 768 weapon firearm complaints in the St. Thomas-St. John District and 779 in the St. Croix District. ShotSpotter allows VIPD to quickly access gunshot data to improve response time to the crime scene. Jaschen stated that thecall history records are secured by VITEMA 9-1-1 call center management.      

0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Travel

AMERICAN AIRLINES BOOSTING FLIGHTS TO THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

by Daniel E. Ottley
written by Daniel E. Ottley
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (October 9, 2020) – The U.S. Virgin Islands is expecting a major increase in American Airlines flights, beginning next month.
Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte announced that the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier is responding to strong travel demand from the Northeast, the Midwest and the South Central regions of the mainland United States.
He reported that beginning in November, American will serve St. Thomas with two daily flights from Charlotte; daily flights from Philadelphia; and Saturday service from both Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth during the first half of the month, followed by daily flights from both cities in time for the Thanksgiving holiday. The additional flights will complement the existing thrice daily service between Miami and St. Thomas.
St. Croix will also register an increase in service from American in November with two flights a day from Miami as well as daily Charlotte flights during the second half of November, up from the existing Saturday service.
“We are readily preparing for this robust increase in flights from our longstanding air partner,” said Commissioner Boschulte, who said the service aligns with the rollout of the Territory’s enhanced prescreening travel protocols.
Every traveler aged five and older who enters the U.S. Virgin Islands is required to use the USVI Travel Screening Portal and submit a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) test result at www.usviupdate.com/travelportal. The recently updated edition of the secure online portal incorporates QR and color-coding technology to process and confirm passengers’ submissions.
Virgin Islands-bound travelers are required to provide either a COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test taken and negative result received (both within five days of commencement of travel to the Territory), or a COVID-19 antibody test taken and positive result received (both within four months of commencement of travel to the Territory).
The Commissioner thanked the Department of Tourism’s sales and marketing teams for keeping the destination top of mind in the marketplace through regular sales training presentations.
Following the destination’s participation in the Land X-Change Global MICE conference in Montego Bay, Jamaica last weekend, the Commissioner expressed optimism in the meetings and incentives market to help ignite the return of group travel to the Territory. While in Jamaica, the tourism team secured more than 35 appointments with top meeting and incentive planners, travel agencies and wedding destination experts, and explored timely leads for upcoming group business to the USVI.
The Commissioner reminded all travelers of the need to comply with the Territory’s stringent protocols and guidelines in order to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory.
About the U.S. Virgin Islands
For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com, follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI). When traveling to the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. citizens enjoy all the conveniences of domestic travel – including on-line check-in – making travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands easier than ever. As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport from U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are the same as for entering the United States from any foreign destination. Upon departure, a passport is required for all but U.S. citizens.
0 comment
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Newer Posts
Older Posts