Deputy Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr. David D. Archer, Jr. has announced through a Circular released to Public Officers that the Public Service will physically open on Monday, May 4.

Cabinet approved a 90-day Operations Plan for the Public Service that will utilise a Preventing, Protecting, Delivering (PPD) strategy, which seeks to protect and prevent public officers and clients from contracting, spreading and other health risks associated with COVID-19 while delivering service to clients through the use of good hygiene and social distancing practices.

In preparation for the formal physical re-opening, the Deputy Governor said that Senior Managers, Heads of Departments and Senior Staff will work from Monday, April 27 through Friday May 1 to ensure that Government offices meet the approved hygiene and social distancing requirements for employees and the public.

Deputy Governor Archer, Jr. said that priority will be granted to the following offices for reopening once they have been approved and meet the required Health and Safety standards:

1. Governor's Office
2. Deputy Governor’s Office
3. Civil Registry and Passport Office
4. Premier's Office
5. Town and Country Planning
6. Department of Trade, Investment Promotion and Consumer Affairs
7. Ministry of Finance
8. Inland Revenue Department
9. Treasury Department
10. BVI Post
11. Ministry of Transportation, Works and Utilities
12. Department of Motor Vehicles
13. Water and Sewage Department
14. Ministry of Health and Social Development
15. Social Development Department
16. Environmental Health Division
17. Her Majesty’s Prison
18. Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration
19. Department of Labour and Workforce Development
20. Immigration Department
21. Land Registry
22. Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculturee

The Deputy Governor said, “My gratitude is continually expressed to the Governor, Premier and the full Cabinet along with the Health Emergency Operations Centre, health officials and all essential workers who have made it their daily and nightly tasks to plan, make the right decisions and take action to keep us safe.”

Mr. Archer thanked public officers for being prepared to serve clients in new and innovative ways, adding, “It is through your dedication and effort that we have been able to ensure the success of the various services offered to ensure all citizens in the Territory were taken care of during this difficult time.”