Greetings Members,
As we prepare to reopen the territory, please encourage all travelers to visit the travel screening portal on usviupdate.com. Completing the portal form ensures that travelers' information will be vetted prior to arrival, and they will receive clearance that they will only have to show at the airport. If they don’t use the portal, they will have to complete the health screening at the airport and show the negative PCR test or a positive antibody test upon arrival. |
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Please click the links below to read our recent updates. Keep in mind that statistics are changing daily as we learn more, so some of the information from our updates may have changed. You can also visit doh.vi.gov/covid19usvi for more information. To receive updates, alerts and notifications on COVID-19 in the USVI, TEXT “COVID19USVI” to 888777. If you suspect you have symptoms or if you have questions, please call the Health Department’s Epidemiology Division Hotline: 340-712-6299 (STX) and 340-776-1519 (STT & STJ).
USVIHTA COVID-19 Communications:
Other Information:
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CARES ACT Employee Retention Credit Webinar Presentation and Audio |
Thank you to everyone who attended the CARES ACT Employee Retention Credit Webinar hosted by Synergi Partners last week. During the webinar, attendees were introduced to Synergi Partners and learned about COVID-19 legislation, FFCRA and CARES credits, and internal processes. Click here to download the presentation from the webinar. Click here to listen to audio from the webinar. We will continue to share valuable training opportunities from local and regional partners and highly encourage members to take advantage of these beneficial sessions which can help you support your business.
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My Brother's Workshop Pay it Forward Program |
During our COVID-19 response efforts, MBW was able to prepare and serve 37,923 meals to our vulnerable community members on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. Our "Meals on Wheels" program has ended, however, there are still people in the community in need of assistance. With our new "Pay it Forward" program, donors will be able to purchase meal vouchers that are valid for one meal from our cafe. These vouchers make a great gift for friends, employees, or to be given to someone in need of a meal for any reason. As a donor, you may direct where the "Pay It Forward" vouchers will go. You may distribute them on your own, or MBW can distribute them to those we identify as in need through our local churches, organizations working with the homeless and other community partners. This program will allow us to maintain our current training program in the cafe and bakery, where we work with at-risk youth ages 16-24, through mentoring, counseling, education, on-the-job training and job placement. Thank you for your commitment to help provide hope and purpose to our young people while feeding our community. Pay it Forward.
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USVI Governor Hopeful About Caribbean Tourism’s Recovery |
Caribbean tourism is poised for a strong post-pandemic recovery, predicts U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., just ahead of the reopening of the territory to leisure visitors this weekend.
“I expect the Caribbean to do even better as we open up the doors, find a new vaccine and people start traveling again,” Bryan said during last week’s three-day CHRIS+HOLA Connect virtual hotel investment conference, which combined the Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) and Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA).
The “Views from Heads of Government” session, which also featured Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, and was moderated by Frank Comito, CEO and Director General of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, addressed how the two island communities are coping with the global travel and tourism downturn caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Read more.
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CHTA Education Foundation and Dominica’s Secret Bay Team Up to Support Hospitality Training |
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association Education Foundation (CHTAEF) and Dominica’s award-winning Secret Bay boutique resort are joining forces to support the professional development of the region’s hospitality workers. All proceeds from the raffle of a five-night stay for two at the exclusive property will go toward providing Caribbean hospitality industry workers with opportunities such as scholarships, continuing education programs and on-the-job training. Read more.
More from regional partners:
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National Preparedness Month: Prepare for Disasters |
September is National Preparedness Month. Each week, National Preparedness Month will highlight easy-to-follow steps that your family can take to improve preparedness at home. This week, the theme is "Prepare for Disasters." To properly prepare for disasters, know the common disasters for your location and then mitigate the risk. Read more.
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Bryan Williams' Tip: 4 Keys to Pivot |
In this uncertain employment landscape, I was recently asked for my thoughts on what it's like to start, sustain and grow a full-time business. First off, I am very passionate about entrepreneurship. It affords me the freedom to set my own schedule. It also allows me to serve clients in amazing ways without restrictions and bureaucracy (plus there's no limit on my earning potential). My current business is now almost 14 years old, and it is one of the best decisions I've EVER made. So for anyone who has recently started a full-time business or is thinking of starting one, here are a few of my "lessons learned." I trust that they will provide clarity for whoever needs it. Read more.
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Lisa Hamilton
USVIHTA President
340-774-6835
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