Rumors have been circulating on social media over the last few days about a governmental closure of restaurants and beaches in our community. The Government House issued a statement in response, stating that “Neither Governor Albert Byran Jr., Government House nor the administration’s COVID-19 Task Force have made any official announcements concerning beach closures, added restrictions to restaurants’ current operations or further restrictions on gatherings at funerals or other events in the territory.” The statement also noted that future action may be taken depending upon the outcome of the data compiled over the coming days.
Additional information will be released at the Governor’s press conference on Monday, August 10, 2020 at 1:00 pm. We will post our summary shortly thereafter, and will keep you posted about any new developments.
According to Governor Bryan, the regulations we have put into place regarding our efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 continue to appear to be working, as our active number of cases in the territory has decreased from last week. There are currently five active cases on St. John at this time, and no new cases this week.
Location of positive COVID-19 cases on St. John
The Governor assured our local residents that he is listening to their comments and concerns about tourism, and said that our governmental agencies are working as hard as possible to ensure that we have the resources needed to protect all of our entry points in an effort to keep our residents and guests as safe as possible. We have requested additional testing supplies – especially for St. John – and recently added four testing machines that produce same-day results in the territory.
The US Virgin Islands launched an online travel portal in an effort to increase the safety of residents and visitors, and to clarify the screening process for travelers. This portal will allow travelers to upload their COVID-19 test results to expedite the screening process at the airport, and to increase the efficiency of the policy.
Effective July 24, 2020:
Any traveler aged 15 and older whose home state (state of residence) has a Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) positivity rate greater than 10 percent will be required to produce a negative COVID-19 antigen (molecular/PCR/rapid) test result received within five days prior to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands OR a positive COVID-19 antibody test result received within four months prior to travel to the territory. Currently, residents of Puerto Rico are also subject to this requirement.
COVID-19 test results are also required from travelers aged 15 and older who have spent more than seven days in and are traveling from a state with a positivity rate greater than 10 percent.
COVID-19 test are recommended, but not required for travelers aged 15 and older whose home states have positivity rates greater than 7.5 percent. This is to ensure travelers are prepared for possible “spikes” in rates while preparing for travel.
COVID-19 test result are not required from travelers transiting impacted states en route to the USVI.
There are currently seven active cases on St. John – five traced to community contact, five travel related, and two under investigation. Five others who previously tested positive have recovered. On a positive note, twenty-nine people on St. John were tested over the weekend, and all of the tests were negative!
The Governor said he has received many calls from the community asking what more can be done for the safety of our residents and guests, and expressing concerns that the current policies and restrictions have not gone far enough. The Governor stressed that we have measures in place, but we need to give them time to work, and said that the last round of restrictions is having an effect.
According to the Governor, our numbers reflect that our efforts are having an impact on slowing the spread of the virus, and we have to see what the numbers reveal this coming week before taking more drastic steps, such as another shut down.
The Governor’s press conference was a long one today, folks – kudos to anyone who hung in there with me during the live broadcast!
The recent surge of COVID-19 in the US Virgin Islands caught the attention of several stateside media outlets this week. While it is true that we’ve seen an overall increase in cases in the territory, they failed to report that a significant majority are based in St. Croix – specifically within the Limetree Bay Refinery community. On a positive note, over the last few days we have seen a substantial reduction in positive tests. Out of 400 refinery workers tested yesterday, only one was positive!
In furtherance of our effort to minimize exposure of the virus to our residents and guests, on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, the Governor’s travel testing policy went into effect for any states testing at 10% positive or higher for that state. Residents in these target states ages 15 and over must either be tested within five days prior to their arrival into the territory and produce a negative test result or positive antibodies test result, or self-quarantine until test results are received. If you have not been tested, you will be asked to quarantine for 14 days, or the entire duration of your vacation if fewer than 14 days. As of today, two additional states – Arkansas and Louisiana – have been added to the John Hopkins University list:
The Virgin Islands Port Authority issued a statement on their Facebook page clarifying the Governor’s brief mention in a previous press conference that the testing requirement also applies to anyone who has spent a “substantial amount of time” in one of the target states. The Port Authority stated that this restriction does not apply to travelers with layovers in these states but does apply to “passengers who have spent more than seven days in and are traveling from impacted states.”
We get a lot of questions here at News of St John about the right way to travel during these challenging times. Rightfully so, because the circumstances change often, which in turn means the rules change often.
We do our best to keep you informed by covering the Governor’s press conferences and other newsworthy information. He will be having one at 1pm today and will report soon thereafter.
We try our best, but unfortunately we can’t answer every single question in a timely manner. So if you have specific questions, please consider calling the Covid-19 Travel Information Hotline that was setup by the USVI Department of Health the USVI Department of Tourism. You can reach them at 1-800-372-8784.
Please also keep in mind that the new travel regulations are now in effect, as of yesterday July 15th. These rules currently apply to Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Nevada, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, and Texas.
Please read the Virus Updates section for previous COVID St John travel information.
Last night the territory reported an additional 11 positive COVID tests. One of which was on St. John. Bringing the Love City total cases during the pandemic to seven. Three of these seven are currently active.
Breakdown for the territory:
Tested: 4,395
Positive: 217
Negative: 4,084
Pending: 94
Active: 105
Recovered: 106
Deaths: 6
Three active cases on St. John doesn’t seem like a lot, right? BUT, it is enough to close down a few of our favorite local businesses temporarily. Both Skinny Legs and High Tide announced on Monday that they would be responsibly closing their doors temporarily “for the safety of our staff, our community and our guests.”
***Note: No staff members for any of the listed businesses have tested positive for COVID. The businesses are responsibly exercising caution based on POSSIBLE contact.
Sam and Jack’s Deli posted a similar message this morning and will be closed temporarily for a second time due to possible COVID-19 contact. All three restaurants reported that employees may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are closed until test results are in.
Additionally, the local veterinarian office and pet supply store, Canines, Cats and Critters, is closed for a short time today for the same reasons and will be open for regular hours tomorrow. Emergency visits are available at any time.
I know there have been a ton of questions and concerns in regards to the new travel policy. I’ve recapped all that I can find on it below as well as the toll free number for the Dept of Tourism.
In light of the recent surge in positive test results in the territory, the Governor has implemented travel restrictions for those traveling from the following states and territories:
Arizona
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Puerto Rico
Utah
Kansas
Mississippi
Nevada
South Carolina
Texas
The above states are those with a positive testing rate greater than 10% of the population based on John Hopkins University data (updated July 13). Travelers arriving in the territory from the above states as their ORIGIN – Not layover, will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test that was administered within FIVE DAYS OF ARRIVAL in the territory.
Travelers under the age of 15 will not be required to provide a test result. If travelers do not have a test result upon arrival, they will be required to quarantine for 14 days. The above regulations apply to visitors and residents alike and they go into effect tomorrow – WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020.
If you have questions, please call the Department of Tourism at 800-372-8784.
There has been a surge in cases of COVID on St Croix and St Thomas, and in last nights update from the Department of Health that uptick also made its way to St John. There are two new positive tests on St John, bringing the total number of positive tests to six. Both cases were travel related rather than spread in the community, which is a positive sign. Six total cases, and two new cases, is a very small number relative to what is happening across the country, but any new cases is a cause for caution and concern.
