The following information will be updated daily to reflect any changes. Updated March 24, 2020
In an effort to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID19, and in adherence to guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control, several departments and agencies of the Government of the Virgin Islands have implemented steps to minimize person-to-person contact at their offices. As of Tuesday, March 23, 2020, departments and agencies modifying the operations include:
Bureau of Corrections |Effective immediately, the Bureau of Corrections will suspend in-person visitations at all correctional facilities to limit the opportunity for COVID-19 to be introduced into a facility. It will also suspend all volunteer programs, work details, and furloughs until further notice. For more information visit www.boc.vi.gov
Bureau of Motor Vehicles | The Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be limiting services. No more than six persons at a time will be allowed in the Vehicle registration renewal offices. BMV is encouraging the community to take advantage of its online vehicle registration process. During the period from March 18, 2020, to May 31, 2020, the bureau will waive the requirement for inspection for any customer that renew their vehicle registration online. All road tests and written tests for the learner’s permit are canceled until further notice. Governor Bryan has ordered a 60-day extension on all driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals. For more information, call (340) 713-4268 on St. Croix, (340) 774-4268 on St. Thomas, and (340) 776-6262 on St. John. bmv.vi.gov
Department of Education | Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced the closure of all public schools effective Wednesday, March 18th, through April 14. The Department of Education has announced cancellation of several activities including distribution of progress reports and postponement of the Smart Balanced tests until fall 2020. For more information visit www.vide.vi
Department of Finance | At the Department of Finance, effective immediately, is conducting all business electronically whenever possible. For more information visit www.dof.vi.gov
Department of Human Services | The VI Department of Human Services Head Start Program has closed classrooms territory-wide beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, for at least three weeks in accordance with Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s directive to close schools throughout the Territory. VIDHS staff are to report to work as normally scheduled.
Department of Justice | Attorney General Denise George today announced that Department of Justice facilities on both St. Thomas and St. Croix are closed to the public and will not conduct person to person services until further notice. Department of Justice’s four facilities that will be closed to the public including the Office of the Attorney General. Services to be provided electronically or telephonically include administrative claims and questions regarding pending criminal cases.
- The Sex Offender Registry, a division of the V.I. Department of Justice, will also be closed to the public due to COVID19 (corona virus). However, registration requirements remain in place. Sex offenders who are residing, employed, or attending school in the Territory and need to register or update their information must do so telephonically or via email.
- The Paternity and Child Support Division (PCSD) offices are be closed to the public. However, in-person services will be provided to accept payments. Services will be provided via telephone, fax, mail, and through the internet. Persons who wish to make payments will be allowed inside the offices until the drop box becomes available, at which time, only money orders and checks will be accepted.
Department of Labor | The VI Department of Labor will be open to the public, however, the following limits will be set for occupancy of common areas:
- There is a maximum capacity limit set to minimize the number of clients in the lobby at a time.
- There is a maximum capacity of the resource rooms vary by district at this time. For more information on capacity detail call the Department before visiting in person.
There will also be limits set to available services, outside of Unemployment Insurance. If possible, clients are encouraged to use the website to obtain information and find resources. Please call to find out the volume of clients and safeguard your health by maintaining social distancing. Requests for various services will require consideration after the State of Emergency social distancing recommendations expire on April 6, 2020. For more information visit www.vidol.gov
Department of Licensing & Consumer Affairs | The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs (DLCA) is asking the public to utilize department’s online website at www.dlca.vi.gov for business license renewals or new business license applications, to schedule appointments and to file consumer complaints online.
Department of Planning & Natural Resources | The Department of Planning and Natural Resources will be implementing the following modified schedule until April 6, 2020. All public libraries and museums will be closed. Pick up, drop off and cashier services will be available to the public only on Tuesdays and Fridays during regular office hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For in-person needs other than pick-up or drop-off services, or for general information, please call (340) 774-3320 on St. Thomas and on St. Croix call (340) 773-1082 to schedule an appointment with the appropriate division. www.dpnr.vi.gov
Department of Public Works | The Department of Public Works is limiting in-person interactions in offices territorywide. In-person complaints are suspended until further notice. Complaints will continue to be accepted by telephone, email and online. Cemetery office guests will be limited to two guests per visit. www.Dpw.vi.gov
Department of Tourism | As the U.S. Virgin Islands joins worldwide efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Tourism is closing its tourism offices effective immediately until further notice. Visitors or residents who have tourism-related inquiries are asked to visit usviupdate.com or email info@usviupdate.com. Messages can also be left using the tourism department’s voice mail system, which are routed to the department’s email system and accessed regularly. To contact the Department of Tourism’s office in the St. Thomas-St. John district, call (340) 774-8784. The St. Croix office can be contacted at (340) 772-0357. The department’s toll-free number can be accessed at (800) 372-USVI (8784).
Fire Service | The Virgin Islands Fire Service’s Prevention and Administrative Offices in both districts will have limited hours of operation. Effective immediately, the offices will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays only. The reduced hours will remain in effect until further notice.Businesses that have fire certificates that have expired or will expire during the current state of emergency will be given a 60-day extension.The Fire Service’s emergency response operations will remain uninterrupted.
Division of Personnel | The Division of Personnel announces that all in-office visits have been suspended effective immediately. In an effort to practice social distancing, all business will be conducted electronically and telephonically whenever possible. For more information, forms, and policies visit: www.dopusvi.org or call (340) 774-8588 or (340) 718-8588.
Energy Office | The VI Energy Office is notifying all individuals with applications for the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Financial Incentive Program are required to submit them by email, fax, or mail service until further notice. The VIEO has waived the 30-day application deadline so that customers who purchase qualifying items can capitalize on these rebates, which includes items purchased as of March 1, 2020. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/VirginIslandsEnergyOffice
Office of Collective Bargaining | Chief Negotiator Joss Springette advises the public that the Office of Collective Bargaining will be closed, beginning Tuesday, March 24, until April 6. Calls may be made from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to 340-774-6450 or 340-713-0735.
Office of Veterans Affairs | The Office of Veterans Affairs will limit operations territory wide to burial arrangements only commencing on until Monday April 6th, 2020. Anyone wishing to make arrangements for the burial of a Veteran scheduled to be buried between this timeframe please call (340)774-8387 / (340) 773-8387 or email us at info_va@va.vi.gov. All other services are suspended at this time.
VI Economic Development Authority | The VI Economic Development Authority staff will operate remotely by telecommuting to continue serving its clients, stakeholders, and the community. The VIEDA will discontinue walk-in customer services, in-person appointments and manual delivery of documents and other items effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020 until further notice. To make a payment, file a document, or make any additional inquiries, please email info@usvieda.org or call 340-714-1700 (St. Thomas) and 340-773-6499 (St. Croix).
VI Lottery | Effective Wednesday, March 25th, The Virgin Islands Lottery offices in both Districts will only allow five (5) customers into the lobby at any given time. Dealers are asked to provide requested ticket numbers in advance to avoid line delays and ensure expedient service. Virgin Islands Lottery staff will provide dealers with their listings to make those selections once requested in advance. On sight sales in St. John will be postponed until further notice. Please contact us at (340)774-2502 on St. Thomas or (340)778-6360 on St. Croix if you have any questions or visit www.winvilottery.com
VI Public Services Commission | The VI Public Services Commission (PSC)has close it offices in both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix Districts as of Monday, March 23, however, the PSC will still serve the public by working remotely and virtually. The VIPSC’s in person “walk-in service” will be restricted until further notice, but all documents can be submitted electronically by contacting us at (340) 776-1291 on St. Thomas, (340) 776-1391 on St. John and (340) 778-6010 on St. Croix.
Utility complaints will be accepted by phone, and additional information can be obtained by visiting our website at www.psc.vi.gov and/or our Facebook page “Virgin Islands Public Services Commission.”
VI Waste Management Authority | Effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Solid Waste disposal at the following facilities will adhere to the following operating hours:
- Anguilla Landfill on St. Croix will be open 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Bovoni Landfill on St. Thomas will be open 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Susannaberg Transfer Station on St. John will be open 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Peter’s Rest Convenience Center on St. Croix will be open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Mandahl Convenience Center on St. Thomas will be open 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.
VIWMA is also asking that all pending bid packages be submitted electronically. The VIWMA recently issued bid packages for various projects and effective immediately all open solicitations shall be accepted via email only. The solicitations shall adhere to the previously established date and time as indicated on the respective advertisement. Please forward the completed document to sdavid@viwma.org and/or jthomas-blyden@viwma.org. For more information visit www.viwma.org
WAPA | The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority advises its customers that effective Monday, March 16, 2020, customer service offices territory-wide will offer only limited service to walk-in visitors. To safeguard the public and its employees from potential exposure to the coronavirus, WAPA is recommending that all business transactions be conducted either online or via the telephone. This limitation will remain in place until further notice. Customer Service offices can be reached at either 340-774-3552 or 340-773-2250 and selecting option 5. For more information visit www.viwapa.vi.
Juan F. Luis Hospital & Medical Center | JFL visitors and visitation hours have been revised. General visitation hours have been revised to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless the visitor is a parent or guardian of a pediatric patient or infant. Prior to being allowed to enter the facility, each visitor will be screened. Isolation patients will be allowed only one (1) visitor at a time for up to two (2) hours per day. Visitors will be given special protective masks, gloves, and gowns that must be worn at all times. www.jflusvi.org
Judicial Branch of the US Virgin Islands |Chief Justice Rhys S. Hodge has signed an Administrative Order implementing precautionary measures throughout the Judicial Branch of the Virgin Islands to help minimize exposure to the COVID-19 coronavirus. Effective 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, all in-person proceedings scheduled to commence on or before April 1, 2020, before any judicial officer in any Judicial Branch facility are postponed, and no new proceedings will be scheduled. The only exception to the suspension of in-person proceedings are Advice of Rights and Stalking and Domestic Violence matters, which will continue to be heard in-person subject to limitations set by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. On March 16, 2020, the Presiding Judge announced that Advice of Rights will only take place at 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. For more information, contact: Tel: (340) 774‐2237, Fax: (340) 774‐2258 or TTY: (340) 693-4118.
33rd Legislature |On Saturday, March 14th, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands postponed all hearings and meetings in both districts. Additionally, the Legislature is restricting visitation to its facilities. All facilities are immediately closed to members of the public.
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