The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved additional businesses and establishments to operate effective April 29.

This is in accordance with the Curfew Act, 2017, Imposition of a Curfew (No.14) Order, 2020 for the purposes of controlling, suppressing or preventing the spread COVID-19 and for the protection of all persons within the Territory.

During this time, business and establishments must operate within the curfew hours of 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. They are as follows:

I.         Supermarkets;

II.        Bakeries;

III.      Fishers and Farmers;

IV.      Banks;

V.       Fuel Stations;

VI.      Ferries for inter-island transportation only;

VII.    Busses and Taxis with limited passengers;

VIII.   Construction companies, building and concrete supplies businesses;

IX.      Laundromats;

X.       Home delivery services;

XI.      Insurance and Financial Services that cannot be carried out remotely;

XII.    Office supplies and equipment and electronic stores;

XIII.   Automotive parts and repairs;

XIV.  Manufacturers of hand sanitisers and personal protective equipment (PPEs);

XV.    Water and ice production and deliveries;

I.         Emergency household and business repairs as approved;

II.        Medical Establishments;

III.      Legal Establishments;

IV.      Telecommunication companies;

V.       Hardware stores;

VI.      Commercial and household supplies and appliances;

VII.    Restaurants for delivery and take out;

VIII.   Beauty products supply stores;

IX.      Courier Stores and Freight Agents;

X.       Veterinarian practices;

XI.      Printing, graphics and signage supplies;

XII.    Flower Shops;

XIII.   Real Estate Agents;

XIV.  Department and Clothing stores;

XV.    Marine stores and Boat yard operations;

XVI.  Churches and places of worship; and

XVII. Funeral homes

Businesses listed must ensure that operating times allow for staff and employees to report to and leave work within the approved hours of 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Newly approved businesses are to prepare for inspections in order to re-open. Businesses that have not been inspected by the Environmental Health Division and the Social Distancing Task Force are to remain closed to the public until they are given the approval to open. All other businesses not listed in the Imposition of a Curfew (No.14) Order, 2020 are to remain closed.

Businesses that are permitted to re-open are to note the following: 

1.    Submit the names of persons who will be present to prepare the businesses for inspections by emailing ministryofhealth@gov.vg.

2.    Please visit the bvi.gov.vg for a copy of the Business COVID-19 Control Public Health and Physical Distancing Measures checklist to prepare businesses for inspection.

3.    Once the checklist has been completed, business owners are to email their names and contact number to ministryofhealth@gov.vg for inspection. Place in the subject line: COVID-19 INSPECTION.

4.    Inspections will be completed by the Environmental Health Division and the Social Distancing Task Force. Business owners are asked to call 468-5110 or 544-4757 to make appointments for inspection.