The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the following businesses to operate during the phased re-opening on Monday, April 27 as the Territory’s economy reboots internally.

I.          Supermarkets

II.         Bakeries

III.       Fishers and Farmers

IV.       Pharmacies

V.        Banks

VI.       Fuel Stations

VII.     Ferries (inter-island transportation only)

VIII.    Buses and Taxis (limited passengers)

IX.       Construction companies, building and concrete supplies businesses; 

X.        Laundromats

XI.       Home delivery services

XII.     Insurance, Legal and Financial Services that cannot be carried out remotely

XIII.    Office supplies

XIV.   Automotive parts and repairs

XV.     Manufacturers of hand sanitisers and PPEs

XVI.   Water and ice production and deliveries

XVII.  Emergency household and business repairs, as approved

XVIII.  Medical Establishments

XIX.   Legal Establishments

XX.     Telecommunication companies

XXI.   Hardware, cleaning and sanitisation stores

 Approved Businesses can receive cargo and other supplies from Port Purcell and St Thomas Bay Jetty and prepare to re-open from today, Saturday, April 25. All approved businesses are to operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. All other businesses will remain closed for the next 14 days. 

Essential 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 immediately.

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, 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 starting on Saturday, April 25. Business owners are asked to call 468-5110 to make appointments for inspection. 

Note:

Businesses must be inspected by the Environmental Health Division and the Social Distancing Task Force ahead of Monday April 27 and will require their agreement that your business is safe prior to opening. This is to ensure that approved private businesses meet and enforce necessary safety requirements such as increased hygienic measures, social distancing measures and recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks to prevent and stop the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, businesses will operate between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. daily from April 27 for the next 14 days. Please ensure that business operating hours align to the curfew hours, allowing staff and customers time to travel to and from their destinations.