US Virgin Islands: Authorities reimpose COVID-19 restrictions August 17-31

Event

US Virgin Islands' Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has announced that mandatory stay-at-home orders and other restrictions will be reimposed for two weeks between Monday, August 17, and August 31 due to a spike in cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). After the two weeks have passed, the situation will be reviewed and measures reassessed. During this period all nonessential businesses and service providers have been ordered to cease operations. Hotels, villas, and other accommodation providers have been prohibited from taking new reservations effective immediately through September 12. No guests can be checked in from Wednesday, August 19, for the same period, effectively ceasing leisure travel for at least a month, unless the measures are rescinded early. Schools and churches will be closed during the period of enhanced restrictions and restaurants can only offer take away, delivery, or drive-through services. The maximum number of people permitted to gather will be reduced from 50 to ten and beaches will be closed from 12:00 to 06:00 (local time) on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. All bars, nightclubs, and cabarets are to remain closed as long as the territory remains in a state of emergency. Face masks must be worn in public and businesses and other public facilities must ensure that visitors to their establishment remain at a social distance of 1.8 metres (6 ft).

As of Sunday, August 16, health authorities have reported 734 confirmed coronavirus cases on the US Virgin Islands, with nine associated deaths. Further international spread of the virus is to be expected over the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.