Greetings Virgin Islanders and friends.  Consistent with the Government’s commitment to keep you informed I am pleased to present our weekly updates on the Territory’s response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.  In the interest of your safety, this week, however, is different because as a Territory, we have been asked to stay at home except for persons authorized.

Good evening all. It is Sunday evening and we have spent our first week-end in Territory-wide curfew. The curfew remains in place until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday 2nd April. Thank you to everyone for remaining in your homes and for doing your part to reduce the spread of COVID – 19/Coronavirus. 

First of all, I would like to say, my dear Virgin Islands people, Good Day and God’s Blessings to you and your families.

Good evening all. It is just past eight o’clock and the Territory wide curfew is now in place and will remain in place until 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, 2 April. All of you should now be in your homes.  And you should now not leave them until next Thursday.

In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, and in support of maintaining clean spaces and the need to wash our hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, Cabinet on 19^th March, 2020 decided:

His Excellency, the Acting Governor David D. Archer, Jr. chaired the Meeting held on 4th March, 2020,

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared the Corona Virus, COVID-19 a health pandemic. As we speak, there are over 565,000 confirmed cases with approximately 25,410 deaths in over 200 countries, territories and areas. 

Good day and God’s blessing to all of you and my heartfelt prayer that you remain safe and secure in these special times. The Government of the Virgin Islands and the entire Public Service has been exceptionally busy these past weeks to secure the health and well-being of our people. At the same time, we have been focused on securing our economy.

The primary question that everyone has is why the need for a curfew at this time. It is important that we lay this out carefully so that each of us will have a full understanding. The Governor has just stated the legality of this curfew and as the Minister for Health of Social Development, with the responsibility of the Public Health Ordinance CAP194, the infectious disease notification and the Quarantine Act, the Cabinet of the Virgin Islands  have been meeting for the past two weeks, even on weekend to ensure the safety of all residents.

You heard last night the extraordinary measures that Cabinet is putting in place to protect you, the people of the Virgin Islands.