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Governor Albert Bryan has lifted the restriction that required Virgin Islanders vaccinated against Covid-19 in the territory to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test when traveling to the USVI.
Speaking during the administration's weekly Covid-19 press briefing, Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach, sitting for Governor Albert Bryan who is currently in Washington, also said Virgin Islanders who are not vaccinated and are traveling home will now need to show a negative Covid-19 test taken within five days of one's scheduled travel back to the USVI, instead of the narrower window of 72 hours.
The orders take effect beginning Wednesday, according to Mr. Roach.
Governor Bryan on Sunday told the Consortium that all Omicron-induced restrictions would be lifted by next week, however the administration has decided to address the travel matter this week.
The move comes as Covid-19 cases continue to fall from record-shattering infections realized during the Omicron surge in late December and early January. According to Territorial Epidemiologist Dr. Esther Ellis, citing the V.I. Dept. of Health's latest Covid-19 data, the territory's total active coronavirus infections totaled 473 Tuesday, with St. Croix accounting for 303 of those cases, followed by St. Thomas with 145, and St. John with 25 cases.
The territory's seven-day positivity rate saw a slight increase to 4.37 percent.
