U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — During the Government House weekly briefing on Tuesday, Lt. Governor Tregenza A. Roach announced the easing of some travel restrictions as the number of active COVID-19 cases continues to decline in the Territory.
Before announcing the lifting of the requirement that all travelers to the Territory must present negative COVID-19 test results from within 72 hours of their arrival, the Lieutenant Governor delivered the somber news that the number of deaths in the USVI from the COVID-19 virus has surpassed 100, a number he said we had hoped to never reach.
“It is a sobering reminder of the threat this virus still poses to all of us, especially those who are not yet fully vaccinated,” Lt. Governor Roach said. “Governor Bryan and I both extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the two Virgin Islanders who succumbed to this virus yesterday, and we continue to keep in prayer the many families and friends who continue to mourn, today, the loss of their loved ones due to COVID.”
Travel restrictions
Effective tomorrow, Wednesday, February 2, the Territory will revert back to the 5-day testing requirement, or proof of a USVI vaccine record for travelers entering the territory.
“So, if you are traveling into the Territory after tomorrow, you are no longer required to have a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours for entry into the Territory,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “All you would need is either a negative PCR or Antigen test taken with 5 days of the date of your travel, or proof of vaccination within the USVI.”
$250 Vaccine Incentive for Children
Lt. Governor Roach also announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) is doing
second $250 Visa gift card giveaway, this time for youths ages 5-15 who have taken the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Since we made the vaccine available in May for 12- to 15-year-olds and in November for 5- to 11-year-olds, only 23 percent of our youth population has been vaccinated. It is a healthy start but nowhere near where we need to be,” the Lieutenant Governor said. “As our public-school students across the territory return to classrooms for in-person instruction, it is even more critical that our numbers increase for this population. The COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective tool to protect against the deadly coronavirus and the variants that will arise.”
The VI Youth $250 Gift Card Giveaway began on January 31 and runs through Friday, March 11.
Any child residing in the U.S. Virgin Islands between the ages of 5 and 17 who receives the second dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines by March 11 will receive a $250 gift card at the time the second dose is administered.
Children who receive only the first dose during by that deadline are not eligible.
Children who already were fully vaccinated also will receive a $250 gift card, and the Department of Health is compiling the names of those individuals and preparing the start distributing the gift cards on February 16.
“Parents, this means that February 16, is the deadline for your child to receive the first dose, with enough time remaining to receive the second dose, be fully vaccinated, and eligible to receive a $250 Visa gift card,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
New Hours for Testing
Beginning Wednesday, February 2, the Department of Health will shift its hours for testing to 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by appointment.
Hours will not change on St. John, and testing will be available from noon to 3 p.m. three days a week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays – at the V.I. Port Authority gravel lot until further notice.
Pop-Up Vaccinations
St. Croix – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Market (formerly Plaza Extra West) and 7 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at Agriculture Fairgrounds.
St. Thomas – Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. at Cost-U-Less.
St. John – Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the V.I. Port Authority gravel parking lot.
Vaccinations for Children 5-11
Appointments can be scheduled by calling 340-777-8227 or online at covid19usvi.com/vaccines.
St. Thomas – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at the Maternal Health Center.
St. Croix – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Community Vaccination Center.
Please make sure to have a parent or guardian accompany any minor wishing to get vaccinated and bring an ID for both the minor and the parent or guardian.
Return-to-Work letters
Residents who need a letter from the Department of Health that they are cleared to return to work after testing positive for COVID-19 should send an email with a copy of their negative test result attached to results@doh.vi.gov.
More information
For information about the COVID-19 vaccines or to schedule an appointment to get vaccinated, call the VITEMA hotline Mondays-Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 340-777-VACS (8227).
Vaccination appointments also can be scheduled online at covid19usvi.com/vaccines. The Department of Health will bring the COVID-19 vaccine to children and adults who are homebound.
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted COVID-19 can call the Epidemiology hotline at 340-712-6299 or 340-776-1519. For more information, visit covid19usvi.com.
COVID-19 cases as of February 1
- 4.37% seven-day positivity rate
- Currently tracking 473 active cases (303 STX; 145 STT; 25 STJ).
- 312,703 tests administered.
- 14,903 individuals tested positive.
- 14,329 individuals have recovered.
- 101 fatalities.
- There are 12 COVID-19 patients, with two on a ventilator, hospitalized at Luis Hospital on St. Croix.
- There are 8 COVID-19 patients, with two on a ventilator, hospitalized at Schneider Regional Medical Center on St. Thomas.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov