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Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeNewsLocal newsBryan Suspends Evictions, Eases Some COVID Limits on Bars, Taxis

Bryan Suspends Evictions, Eases Some COVID Limits on Bars, Taxis

Taxis wait to take tourists around St. John.
Taxis wait to take tourists around the islands. Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued a revised emergency order on Tuesday easing some of the restrictions on taxis. (Source file photo)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. (Government House photo by Garry Anthony)

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has issued a 24th Supplemental Executive Order that eases restrictions put into place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, including suspending some evictions until July 30, raising the passenger limits on taxis and allowing patrons to sit at the bar in restaurants and clubs.

The news came in a statement issued on Tuesday by Government House.

Eviction suspension
The governor’s new directive amends the restrictions placed on landlord-tenant actions in the 21st Supplemental Order of Jan. 27, regarding evictions, which will be suspended until at least July 30.

To qualify for the eviction suspension, tenants must meet three criteria:
– They are being evicted for financial reasons or nonpayment of rental fees.
– They have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
– They have a pending Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) Application with the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.

Taxi passenger limits
The change to the passenger limits for taxis allows those vehicle-for-hire services to raise their passenger limits from 50 percent of permitted capacity to 75 percent of permitted capacity. The change includes safaris, taxi vans and limousines. It amends the 22nd Supplemental Order issued on March 1.

Masks must be worn by the driver and all passengers at all times; if all the passengers in the taxicab or safari are of the same family or group, the taxicab or safari may exceed the limitation on capacity.

Restaurants and bars
The removal of the restriction against restaurant, bar and club patrons sitting at the bar allows customers to have a seat at the bar; however, congregating and standing around the bar and bar counter area still is prohibited.

Alcohol or food can be served only to patrons who are seated at designated seats at the bar counter.

Designated and assigned seats at the bar counters must be placed so that each party is at least 4 feet away from any other party or table.

Seated patrons, whether seated at a table or the bar counter, may order food or alcohol, or both, so long as they are seated at a designated seating area.

The Bryan-Roach administration is committed to transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring the disaster recovery is completed as quickly as possible.

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