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The Bryan administration announced Monday that $7 million of $40 million in Premium Pay has been issued to Virgin Islanders, with the Office of Management and Budget and the Dept. of Finance processing nearly $4,000 checks so far.
“In total, OMB and the Department of Finance have reviewed and processed 3,974 payments to eligible essential workers totaling $6,910,750,” said Gov't House Communications Director Richard Motta during the administration's weekly press briefing.
The administration said OMB is continuing the process of reviewing applications for Premium Pay across all business sectors and approving funds for the Department of Finance to process and distribute. "We will provide you an update as those payments continue to go out to those eligible workers," Mr. Motta said.
Monkeypox
A monkeypox update was provided Monday, with health officials stating that no cases have been confirmed in the USVI to date, and that the 11 suspected cases that were sent for testing returned negative.
Covid-19
Regarding Covid-19, the V.I. Dept. of Health is tracking 239 active cases territory-wide: 130 on St. Croix, 107 on St. Thomas and 2 on St. John. There were six patients hospitalized at the Juan F. Luis Hospital, and five at the Schneider Regional Medical Center. The seven-day positivity rate stood at 12.25 percent, according to D.O.H.
Community Business Forum
The Office of the Governor in partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Department of Tourism, is holding its fifth USVI Community Business Forum to prepare for the upcoming cruising season from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 8, at the University of the Virgin Islands’ Great Hall, on St. Croix, Government House made known.
Earlier this year, the cruise industry announced plans to increase port calls to island of St. Croix in the upcoming cruising season, and the forum gives the business community an opportunity to engage directly with administration officials and cruise experts so that they can plan for the upcoming season.
Speakers include representatives from Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, from the Departments of Tourism; the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation; the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce; and the University of the Virgin Islands,’ School of Business, according to Gov't House.
Governor Albert Bryan is encouraging all businesses, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders – shop owners, taxi drivers and food establishments owners –– to join the conversation and to share their ideas.
For more information and to register for the free forum, visit www.vi.gov/cbf.
