Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has announced paid administrative leave for eligible non-essential Executive Branch employees during the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the Crucian Christmas Festival and the January 4 inauguration of Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett.
The schedule announced Friday by Government House provides territory-wide administrative leave on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, with additional time off for government employees on St. Croix to participate in the Festival Food Fair and J'ouvert celebrations.
Eligible non-essential employees throughout the territory will receive administrative leave with pay on Thursday, December 24, from noon to 5 p.m. in observance of Christmas Eve, and Thursday, December 31, from noon to 5 p.m. for New Year's Eve.
The governor has also granted territory-wide administrative leave on Monday, January 4, 2027, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the gubernatorial inauguration ceremony.
That ceremony will mark the beginning of the administration of Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett and Lieutenant Governor-elect Milton Potter, who won Tuesday's general election. Governor Bryan congratulated the incoming leadership team following the election.
On St. Croix, eligible non-essential government employees will receive additional administrative leave on Wednesday, December 30, from noon to 5 p.m. to participate in the Crucian Christmas Festival Food Fair.
They will also receive administrative leave on Thursday, December 31, from 8 a.m. to noon for Festival J'ouvert.
Because the territory-wide New Year's Eve leave begins at noon that same day, eligible St. Croix employees will receive administrative leave throughout the regular workday on December 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In announcing the schedule, Governor Bryan emphasized the importance of the holiday season and the territory's cultural celebrations.
"The Christmas season is a special time in the Virgin Islands, when families come together, communities celebrate our traditions, and we reflect on the blessings of the year," Bryan said.
He also described the Crucian Christmas Festival as an important celebration of Virgin Islands heritage and said the administration wanted employees, where government operations permit, to participate in the festivities and spend time with their families.
Christmas Day, December 25, and New Year's Day, January 1, are already recognized legal holidays. The administrative leave announced Friday provides additional paid time off surrounding those observances.
Government House emphasized that essential services will continue operating throughout the holiday period.
The additional leave does not apply to essential personnel, employees assigned to regular or rotating shifts, or employees already on annual or sick leave.
The governor encouraged residents and public employees to celebrate the holiday and Festival season safely while participating in the cultural and community traditions of the Virgin Islands.
