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

  • Staff Consortium
  • December 28, 2021
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Bureau of Motor Vehicle on St. Croix. By. ERNICE GILBERT/ V.I. CONSORTIUM

A number of government departments and agencies have announced changes to operations following Governor Albert Bryan's call for employees to work from home through Jan. 10, 2022. 

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 [email protected]

• Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 [email protected].

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 [email protected]

• Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 or [email protected].

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 [email protected], Deputy Commissioner Hadiyah C. Charles at 340-227-8370 or [email protected].

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 [email protected] 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:

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 [email protected].

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 [email protected].

V.I. Housing Authority 

Consistent with the restrictions outlined by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. during the Covid-19 Update held on December 27, 2021, and because of the increase in active cases, effective Wednesday, December 29, 2021, VIHA will suspend all in-person contact with the public throughout its facilities in the territory. 

While all in-person contact has been suspended through January 10, 2022, VIHA's staff is still available remotely and can be reached via telephone and email. To report concerns and emergencies, public housing residents are asked to contact VIHA's Emergency After-hours answering service at (305) 447-2464. Be advised that non-essential repairs will be postponed until further notice. Clients of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) can contact the office on St. Croix at 340-690-4789, and St. Thomas 340-626-2024 & 340-513-0337, Monday thru Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Clients in both districts, can also contact the HCVP via email at [email protected].

Bureau of Motor Vehicle

BMV said Tuesday its offices will only serve customers who have appointments. In addition, all road tests and written tests will be suspended until further notice.

“The safety of the public and our staff is very important to us therefore, it is very important that all customers adhere to their scheduled appointment time," said BMV Director Barbara McIntosh. "We ask that you remain inside your vehicles or away from the facilities until you are summoned to be served, the health and safety of our staff and customers are very important to us."

Customers are encouraged to visit the BMV website at bmv.vi.gov to access the following services, access forms and instructions and conduct business with the BMV:

  • Renew vehicle registration
  • Make appointments
  • Renew Driver’s License
  • Renew ID cards and obtain duplicate cards
  • Replacement Drivers License
  • Obtain duplicate Title
  • Obtain duplicate stickers
  • Address change

 

For information visit bmv.vi.gov or 340-774-4268(St. Thomas), 340-713-4268(St Croix) or 340-776-6262(St. John).

Judicial Branch 

Administrator of Courts, Regina Petersen, advised the public and members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association on Tuesday that due to the ongoing surge in Covid-19 cases in the territory, limitations have been placed on in-person operations of the Judicial Branch through 11:59 pm on January 9, 2022 as follows:

All jury related proceedings, including juror selection previously scheduled to occur during the period of December 28, 2021 through January 9, 2022 are suspended and to be rescheduled.

All in-person proceedings shall be converted to remote or virtual proceedings where applicable or otherwise continued or rescheduled.

All programs and public activities of the Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra scheduled during this period are cancelled, with only staff reporting.

Employees of the Judiciary shall continue telework protocols where applicable to limit the number of persons physically present in Judicial Branch facilities.

Judicial Branch facilities remain open to judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and members of the public for the purpose of conducting official business. All health and safety protocols previously adopted by the Administrator of Courts, including those pertaining to the wearing of face masks and social distancing guidelines remain in effect.

The public is reminded that electronic filings and payments continue to be accepted through the Virgin Islands Judiciary’s Electronic Filing System (VIJEFS) in all eligible cases. Any filings or payments which cannot be made through the VIJEFS may be deposited into the drop boxes located at the exterior of the entrance at all Supreme Court and Superior Court buildings or mailed to the appropriate court.

Litigants, attorneys, and the public are further advised that all filing and other deadlines remain in effect and are not automatically suspended, tolled, or extended. Individuals whose personal circumstances require an extension of time or other accommodations must file an appropriate motion with the court for such relief.

The Court will continue to closely monitor public health guidance in determining future plans.

V.I. Housing Finance Authority

V.I.H.F.A. Executive Director Daryl Griffith on Tuesday informed the public that all Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) offices in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas – St. John Districts are temporarily closed to in-person operations to due to the rise in covid-19 cases in the territory. 

During this time, the VIHFA staff will continue to work remotely and can be contacted by phone and online:  STT Telephone: (340) 777-4432 and STX Telephone (340) 772-4432, website:  www.vihfa.gov.  

The Authority is expected to resume its normal in-person operations on Monday, January 10. 

For mortgage payments, clients are kindly asked to utilize VIHFA’s online portal, Banco Popular Online Bill Pay, Pay-by-Phone services, Direct Debit, USPS mail, Automatic Credit Card Authorization and Payroll deduction options. Rental clients can pay via USPS mail or over the phone. To utilize VIHFA Pay-by Phone Service or for other inquiries/assistance please call the office.

The Authority apologizes for any inconvenience that the temporary closure may cause. The health and safety of our employees remain a priority for the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority. Management will continue to follow the guidance of the CDC, the Department of Health, and the Office of the Governor to ensure a safe return for staff.

V.I. Dept. of Health, Division of Environmental Health 

The VI Department of Health’s Division of Environmental Health is not processing health cards and health permits until January 10, 2022. In the case of an emergency, please contact Director Wanson Harris at (340) 643-8984.

V.I. Dept. of Human Services 

DHS said effective 28 December in-person customer operations will be modified due to the increased number of Covid-19 cases in the territory. SNAP, ECAP, and Cash Assistance current recipients and applicants will have access to Lobby Areas in both Districts from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Drop Boxes will be available outside of the Main DHS Offices in both districts. SNAP and Cash Assistance recipients’ benefits will be issued on January 1, 2022. Full list of changes are here.

Dept. of Finance 

D.O.F. Commissioner Bosede A. Bruce on Tuesday informed the public of the following changes at the department which are effective Tuesday, December 28, 2021, through Monday, January 10, 2022.

All business with the Department of Finance should be conducted electronically whenever possible. Customer drop boxes are available at both offices: on St. Thomas at the security station located at the main entrance and on St. Croix at the west window located before the main entrance. 

Vendor Check Payments:

 

Payroll Check Payments:

 

Government Insurance / Workers’ Compensation Insurance:

 

For more information and for DOF forms, policies & reports visit www.dof.vi.gov. 

If you are unable to reach your usual DOF contact, you may send an email to one of the Divisions as follows:

 

 

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