Governor Relaxes More COVID Restrictions

With 41 active cases in the territory and a low positivity rate of 1.39 percent, some hours of operation for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations have been reduced, said V.I. Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion Monday during the weekly Government House coronavirus update.

The active cases include 26 on St. Croix, 14 on St. Thomas, and St. John has one infection. One person is hospitalized with COVID-19 at Schneider Regional Medical Center, and two people are inpatients at Juan F. Luis Hospital, with one on a ventilator.

Last week, some of the virus restrictions were lifted by Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., and a few more were announced at Monday’s briefing.

Encarnacion announced new guidelines for schools and large events. The DOH will no longer require permits for gatherings and events for fewer than 1,000 attendees, but events for more than 999 guests still require clearance from the Health Department.

The requirement for COVID tests before entering the territory has also been relaxed, and travelers’ valid vaccination records will be accepted and can be uploaded to usvitravelportal.com for easier entry.

“All public school students return to the classroom as of Monday, March 14. Masks will continue to be required when students are in outdoor areas on all school campuses,” Encarnacion also announced.

Masks are also required on public transportation and inside airports and ferry terminals.

According to Encarnacion, more than 67,669 initial doses and 56,001-second doses of the vaccine have been administered in the Virgin Islands, and it has been two weeks since the last fatality from the virus.

The commissioner thanked the community for its participation in the effort to reduce infections and said the Health Department will continue to provide the tests and vaccines to reduce cases.