Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

USVI Airport Protocols proven to be weak; bryan vows to beef up response

USVI Airport Protocols proven to be weak; bryan vows to beef up response

As the recent Covid-19 surge in the territory kept pace Monday with 31 new cases reported, Governor Albert Bryan said during a press briefing the same day that he would tighten restrictions at the territory’s airports and levy fines on those who fail to adhere to the protocols.
Airport protocols, at least on St. Croix has been lax, with this reporter experiencing a rather weak setup following a recent trip to Puerto Rico. While I was asked to provide a test result, which I did, some passengers of the same flight entering the territory said they had not tested, and were simply allowed to walk out after filling out a document.

Mr. Bryan said Monday the administration would address the situation in the coming weeks, including mandating 100 percent testing at the airports, according to Government House.

“Individuals who come to the territory without a negative test will be mandated to be tested at a personal cost,” said Mr. Bryan. “Those who refuse to be tested will be fined and subject to a 14-day quarantine.” The governor has spoken about these impending restrictions for a while, but rigid implementation has not taken place.

Mr. Bryan said the fine that will be imposed will be significantly more than the cost of getting a Covid-19 test, according to Government House.

“The only delay to this being implemented is the availability of tests and testing, as well as the software changes needed for a smooth transition to this format,” he said. “We were successful in joining the new initiative by American Airlines to provide pre-boarding testing and will continue to pursue this with other airline partners.”

In the last five days, Covid-19 cases have surged in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the V.I. Dept. of Health reporting 117 new cases within that period. The current total active caseload stood at 134 as of Monday night, with St. Croix accounting for 44, St. Thomas 50, and St. John 40 — the most active cases St. John has had since the onset of the pandemic. Health officials reported 31 new cases in the USVI Monday.

According to D.O.H.’s most recent data, at least four of the current cases were travel-related, while fifteen cases were community spread infections. Seventeen cases were a result of close contact, according to the health department.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
×