Update: More Gov't Departments and Agencies Announce Changes to Operations in Light of Covid-19 Surge. See Updated List.

The V.I. Dept. of Health reported 786 active Covid-19 cases in the USVI on Tuesday, prompting government action.

V.I. Dept. of Health

Due to the recent surge in Covid-19 active cases the Department of Health is taking preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus. In-person services throughout the Territory will be temporarily curtailed. Below is the listing of schedule changes as of Wednesday, December 29:

Division of Environmental Health

The Environmental Health Office will be closed to the public. If you have questions or concerns reach out to:

• Director Wanson S. Harris, Jr. at 340-643-8984 wanson.harris@doh.vi.gov

• Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 Hadiyah.charles@doh.vi.gov.

St. Thomas: Dr. John S. Moorehead Municipal Hospital Complex Phone: (340) 774-9000 Extensions: 4685, 4686, 4683, and 4681

• St. Croix: Charles Harwood Complex Phone: (340) 718-1311 Extensions: 3688, 3846, and 3686 If you have questions or concerns please reach out to:

• Director Lorraine Benjamin Matthew at 340-718-1311 ext. 3686 or lorraine.benjaminmatthew@doh.vi.gov

• Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 or Hadiyah.charles@doh.vi.gov.

Vital Statistics and Records

The Division will conduct regular office hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 8:30-12:00 noon with virtual services available from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on those days. Document Processing will be conducted on Tuesday and Thursday with the office closed to the public.

Professional Licensure & Health Planning

There will be no in- person services on either the St. Thomas or St. Croix district. If you have questions or concerns please reach out to: Director Deborah Richarson-Peter at Tel. (340) 643-8992 or deborah.richardson-peter@doh.vi.gov, Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 or Hadiyah.charles@doh.vi.gov.

Community Health Clinic Services

Clients are being telephoned to reschedule appointments on St. Croix. On St. Thomas only emergency patients will be seen in the Pre-Natal and Wound Care clinics on St. Thomas. All other patients are being rescheduled.

Community Vaccination Centers

St. Croix’s Community Vaccination Center on St. Croix will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each weekday. It is located at the Nissan Center on St. Croix which is in La Grande Princesse, adjacent to the Honda Dealership and The Paint Shop, on the same side of the street as Food Town.

On St. Thomas the Community Vaccination Center will continue to be open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This center is located at the Community Health Clinic on the 2nd floor at the Schneider Regional Medical Center.

The V.I. Division of Personnel

Effective immediately, the V.I. Division of Personnel’s offices on St. Thomas and St. Croix will be closed for in-person services until Monday, January 10, 2022 as we seek to minimize the risk of exposure for our staff to the COVID-19 virus.

Staff will be teleworking in the interim and will continue to answer phones and emails as normal. Contact the division through the following mediums:

Dial (340) 718-8588 for our St. Croix office

Dial (340) 774-8588 for our St. Thomas office, or

Email information@dop.vi.gov for general inquiries

The division's website at https://www.dopusvi.org/ also includes access to the Group Health Insurance, Career Seekers and Employee portals.

The Office of Management and Budget

Director Jenifer C. O’Neal informs the public that as part of its pandemic response safety protocol, the Office of Management and Budget will curtail in-person visits and meetings at its main office located at 5041 Norre Gade, upstairs of the Emancipation Garden Post Office.

Beginning immediately through Monday, January 10, 2022, most OMB staff will be working remotely. To ensure requests or issues are addressed promptly during this period, electronic communications should be utilized.

For immediate assistance do not hesitate to direct inquiries to the respective unit leadership.

V.I. Dept. of Labor

Continues to Serve the Public Tuesday-Thursday with appointments on Monday and Friday

The V.I. Department of Labor reminds the public of operations during business hours 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. VIDOL continues to serve the public with appointments on Monday and Friday with in-person service on Tuesday through Thursday.

While the territory works to safeguard against the spread of Covid-19, VIDOL clients are reminded of public health protocols to ensure safety for the VIDOL staff and the public. Clients are reminded to wear appropriate face masks and utilize the walk-up windows to minimize contact while following the suggested 6 feet physical distancing protocols.

The VIDOL lobby capacity continues to be regulated by the pagers issued to clients so they can be alerted when their information is ready and the common areas are available with the space necessary for safe interactions.

V.I. Dept. of Public Works

Effective December 29, 2021, until further notice, in-person service hours will take place from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents are required to make appointments for services via telephone and email. Cemetery office guests will continue to be limited to two guests per visit.

Use the contact information below for appointments or assistance:

• St. Croix: (340) 773-1290
• St. Thomas/St. John: (340) 776-4844
• contactdpw@dpw.vi.gov

Links to cemetery services, permit applications, and complaint forms are available online at: dpw.vi.gov.

V.I. Dept. of Agriculture

The department's modified hours are 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. "We encourage our customers and farmers to limit visits to our offices unless purchasing seedlings, feed, or other agricultural supplies," the department said.

Otherwise, most required forms or documents are available at https://doa.vi.gov or they can be emailed directly to you. For more information, email to info.doa@doa.vi.gov.

For inquiries outside of these hours, contact the department at (340) 778-0997, on St. Croix; (340) 774-5182, on St. Thomas; or (340) 776-6274, on St. John. Visitors to our offices will be required to maintain our social distancing policy of six (6) feet at all times.

Veterinary Services are essential and on-going, contact Dr. Bethany Bradford at (340) 642-7320 or email her directly at bethany.bradford@vi.gov.

READ MORE: VI CONSORTIUM