Frederiksted Beach Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
At Governor Albert Bryan’s COVID-19 update on Monday, the territory’s leader along with representatives of the V.I. Dept. of Health urged residents to maintain self-control and adhere to CDC and local guidelines set in place to keep everyone safe, as to avoid having to close the beaches on this double holiday weekend.
Friday, July 3rd marks 172 years since the Emancipation Proclamation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and July 4th is Independence Day for the nation, a time when families traditionally spend time together on local beaches.
“If we see that people are not behaving themselves on Friday, there will be no Saturday and Sunday on the beach,” Mr. Bryan warned.
Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis further discouraged large gatherings or parties and any type of event where people are not wearing a mask during the holiday weekend.
Of the twelve positive cases that emerged in the last four weeks, half of those cases were associated with the food service industry, proving that the most vulnerable places are bars and restaurants, said Mr. Bryan. Interestingly, food service workers were the ones turning up with the virus and not patrons, he added. Patrons are not required to wear their masks while at their tables. Mr. Bryan thus urged employees to wear their mask. Additionally, The Department of Health plans to revisit bars and restaurants in the territory to reteach owners and their staff on exactly what they need to do to protect themselves and their patrons.
To clarify some discrepancies, V. I. D.O.H. Commissioner Justa Encarnacion described specific scenarios in which patrons of bars and restaurants should wear their mask and when it is practical to not wear one. According to the commissioner, patrons should wear their mask when they enter a bar or restaurant, when they are traversing to and from the restroom, and as they mingle within the establishment to greet friends who are not within their seated party.
“When you are seated, yes, you may take your mask off,” said Ms. Encarnacion, as that is the only way patrons can eat their meals and drink their beverages.
Mr. Bryan encouraged patrons of any establishment—whether it be the grocery store, bank, or restaurant—to put on their mask before they leave their vehicle, keep it on as they walk to the establishment, and take if off only when they have returned in their car.
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