US Virgin Islands: Authorities ease restrictions on US Virgin Islands September 8 /update 1

Event

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. announced on Tuesday, September 8, that a number of restrictions under the "Stay at Home" order would be allowed to expire as the territory eases restrictions introduced due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Under "Safer at Home" guidelines, non-essential businesses are allowed to reopen and restaurants may offer dine-in services so long as they meet health guidelines. However, bars will remain closed. Individuals are required to wear facemasks on commercial premises or during any gatherings of people. Leisure travel will resume from September 19 and airports are expected to begin operating by the end of September. Those entering the territory will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test or face a 14-day quarantine.

As of Wednesday, September 9, health authorities have reported 1191 confirmed coronavirus cases on the US Virgin Islands, with 18 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.