Ashley Furniture on St. Croix. Photo Credit: VI CONSORTIUM
With Covid-19 cases surging in the USVI and the Dept. of Health reporting the 12th coronavirus-related death just four days following the announcement of the 11th fatality, the Bryan administration has beefed up its enforcement efforts by deploying law enforcement to ascertain that establishments allowed to be open under the Stay-at-Home order are following guidelines, and those considered non-essential remain closed.
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According to information provided by the Dept. of Licensing and Consumer Affairs through the administration's communications director, Richard Motta, the Covid-19 Task Force on St. Croix has issued one written warning and closed 13 non-essential businesses due to Governor Bryan's 13th Supplemental Executive Order.
The administration said Febrillet Bar & Restaurant was issued a written warning for serving alcohol beverages to patrons before they received their ordered food. The patrons were caught consuming alcohol on the premises of the business.
Below, the businesses considered non-essential on St. Croix that were closed by the task force as part of Mr. Bryan's latest executive order:
- Mid Island Men’s Wear
- Ashley & Best Furniture
- WM Furniture Market
- Royal Furniture
- Carlos Furniture
- Juana Car wash
- Salamah Furniture & More
- Upholstery & Things
- Samara’s Clothing Store
- Naji’s Shoes
- Noemi Car Wash
- C&J Autokare
- Sean Miller Auto Cleaning
According to DLCA, in the St. Thomas-St. John District, the task force issued one citation, closed eight businesses considered non-essential and four areas where individuals were social gathering.
La Esquina Dulge, LLC was ordered closed pending a hearing with the Covid-19 Board. According to DLCA, the business was caught selling alcohol beverages to a patron who did not purchase any food. Under the governor's latest order, all restaurants shall only conduct business as take-out service only. Patrons may purchase an alcohol beverage only when they purchase food, DLCAL said.
The following businesses in the St. Thomas-St. John District considered non-essential were closed by the task force:
- The New 5-7-9 and Beyond, INC. DBA: Marianne
- 2 Crazy, INC. DBA: Mickey Mania
- The New 5-7-9 and Beyond, INC. DBA: Rainbow Kids
- Dial Rent-to-Own USVI, LLC
- Music Source, INC.
- Tobacco Discounters
- Re-Use Emporium
DLCA said task force officers have also been revisiting the following areas to remove individuals who do not comply with social distancing and mass gathering rules:
- Sanchez Town
- Market Square Bongalo
- Lima Plaza
- Coki Point Plaza
