Crime

USVI Renters Face Eviction in January as CDC Moratorium Ends

A wave of Virgin Islanders who currently owe their landlords months of rent payments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic will face eviction in January, the month when a sweeping order by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that halted through December 31 millions of residential renters from being evicted, comes to an end. When the CDC announced its decision at the beginning of September, it said the move was aimed at combating the novel coronavirus. The expansive action covers all of the U.S.'s 43 million renters who fall in the purview of the order. The halt on evictions covers states and territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a copy of the order, seen here. This means the halt's expiration will leave Virgin Islands renters exposed to eviction.  Since Governor Albert Bryan's last order on rent evictions expired on Sept. 27, barring an extension of the CDC's order, Virgin Islanders would have to fend for themselves in court — leading to the possible...