Good day members,
We have some important notes from today’s meetings, so please make sure to read through and reply to items that pertain to your business. We have another conference call scheduled for tomorrow morning with Gov. Albert Bryan and will send more updates afterward.
Effective March 21 at 6 a.m., a maximum of 10 people will be enforced on all social gatherings/events, including bars and restaurants. Large retailers (Home Depot, Kmart, PriceSmart, Plaza Extra & Cost-U-Less) will still be allowed a maximum of 50. Please contact DLCA if you would like to obtain a waiver for the maximum amount allowed at your establishment. Funerals will be exempt, but the public is encouraged to keep ceremonies small and consider a memorial in the future after we pass this crisis. No camping will be allowed on beaches, especially over Easter Weekend.
We would like to hear from our restaurant members as well as accommodations with restaurants on site as to whether or not your business is planning on offering take out service should heavier restrictions be implemented on social gatherings. Many cities that have implemented such measures are encouraging restaurants to convert to take out only. This is an opportunity to keep some people employed and provide food options to the community. USVIHTA and STXHTA will promote those services as well, so please email
lisa@usvihta.com
and
kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com
and let us know what services you are currently providing and what you plan to provide pending new restrictions.
Regarding hotels, we only have three properties that have indicated they plan for a temporary closure over the next few weeks: Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Lindberg Bay Hotel and Margaritaville. All other properties remain open and are receiving guests. Airports will remain open even though arrivals have slowed. We currently have 1500 visitors throughout the islands. Occupancy over the weekend was very strong; however, due to the national recommendations to refrain from non-essential travel, many properties are seeing a number of cancellations for future bookings into June. Hotels and accommodations are between 20 percent and 60 percent occupancy at this time. We will continue to update you as these statistics change.
On Mondays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., Plaza Extra will be open for senior shopping only. Please refrain from shopping during this time if you are not a senior citizen.
Government services will be restricted March 23 through April 6. There will be a 60 day extension on license renewals to include motor vehicles and business licenses. There is also no curfew in place at this time.
The Department of Health is asking that you stay at home if you can and remind your employees not to focus on the negative impacts of COVID-19, but to instead focus on their health and public health, reminding them of the “3 Rs” - Reassurance, Routine and Regulation. If you have traveled in the last 14 days and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please call the Department of Health. Call 911 if you have SEVERE symptoms.
Lifeline hotline: 800-985-5990
Hearing impaired hotline: 800-799-4889
Other updates:
