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0 By. V.I. CONSORTIUM
Camping is one of the recreational activities that residents in the territory will be able to resume following the announcement on Monday by Governor Albert Bryan that most of the Covid-19 restrictions have been withdrawn.
“People are free to go camping as they will, just be careful…it's outdoors so there is no mask requirement at this point but just be careful,” Mr. Bryan said when asked by the Consortium whether camping is one of the social activities that residents in the territory can return to. The activity was among those banned following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Camping in the USVI, specifically St. Croix, is one of the most cherished annual events, with families and individuals alike leaving the comfort of their homes to camp on beaches across the island during Easter. The Consortium has provided video coverage of the pastime over the years. See footage here, here and here.
The announcement from Governor Bryan comes approximately five weeks after the reopening of Cinnamon Bay Campground in St. John. After a long closure due to hurricane recovery and rebuilding damaged infrastructure, the campground reopened on January 22, 2022.
On Monday the governor announced that the territory is almost fully back to pre-Covid-19 norms but there are a few exceptions. Entertainment mass-gathering no longer has to receive permission from the Department of Health but visitors to nursing homes must show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test result that was taken at least 72 hours before arrival to the nursing home.
Despite the clearance to have mass gathering activities, residents will still be required to wear face masks. “They must observe the masking rules and social distancing while indoors," the governor said. Mr. Bryan said that mask-wearing may be removed in the coming weeks once health officials are satisfied with the Covid-19 infection rate.
