A notice posted by the entity said the move is effective from today, January 5 and extends for the remainder of the week to Friday, January 7.

It is unclear what prompted the move, but the agency advised that customers should deposit cheques in their drop box during this period.

Customers of the agency are also encouraged to register and make payments online on the BVIEC’s website.

The notice comes amid a spate of several government office closures over the past few days and a rapidly escalating surge in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the territory.

The Department of Trade, the Immigration Department’s Administration Unit as well as the Lands Unit of the Land and Survey Department have all announced office closures over the past few days for similar periods as the BVIEC.

The territory’s COVID-19 count as of January 3 stands at 601 cases while a recent COVID-19 related death was also announced days ago.

Meanwhile, health officials have continued to endorse the need for increased vaccinations and booster shots to counter the swell of rapidly escalating COVID-19 positive cases in the territory.

According to Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ronald Georges, “all unvaccinated persons should get vaccinated and all persons who are already three months after their last vaccination should have a booster”.

“Higher levels of neutralizing antibodies in the population will both reduce spread and severity of illness at the individual and population levels,” Dr Georges added.