PUERTO RICO TAKES FIRST STEPS TOWARDS TIERED RE-OPENING

Associated Press — Puerto Rico is taking its first tentative steps in relaxing a nearly two-month lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic, while health experts warn that the U.S. territory is relying on faulty statistics and has not yet seen its peak of cases. Gov. Wanda Vázquez announced Thursday night that starting Monday, certain sectors including … Continued

SAN JUAN MAYOR SAYS RESIDENTS ARE STILL AWAITING STIMULUS CHECKS

TIME – The mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has alleged that none of the island’s eligible residents have received their expected stimulus payments from the federal government. In an appearance on MSNBC on Saturday, Carmen Yulin Cruz, the mayor of the U.S. territory’s capital city, said the island has not yet benefited from one of the … Continued

THREE GUYANA DEFENSE FORCE RANKS KILLED IN EXPLOSION

An explosion at the Arms Store Complex at the Camp Stephenson Base, Timehri in Guyana has claimed the lives of three Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ranks. The incident, which occurred around 9 am on Thursday, also left another GDF rank injured. The circumstances of the explosion are being investigated. However, a release issued by the … Continued

GOV. BRYAN EASES RESTRICTION ON NON-ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN USVI

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. on Wednesday announced an easing of restrictions on non-essential businesses, along with new guidelines for residents, as part of a “Safer at Home” response phase to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the provisions that will go in effect Monday at 6 a.m.: Non-essential businesses can reopen but with restrictions. All customers and … Continued

REOPENING OF USVI ECONOMY BEGINS MAY 4 WITH NON-ESSENTIALS SERVICES, CHURCHES, MOVIE THEATERS, BOWLING ALLEYS AND MORE; FACE MASKS NOW A REQUIREMENT WHEN ENTERING ESTABLISHMENTS

VI CONSORTIUM US Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan on Wednesday laid out a plan for the phased reopening of the territory, the first step towards a new normalcy in the current coronavirus crisis. Beginning Monday, May 4, the territory will move into a less-restrictive phase referred to as “Safer at Home” whereby some lower-risk businesses, … Continued

THREE MEN CAUGHT SMUGGLING OVER $3MIL IN ST. THOMAS

V.I. Consortium (ST. THOMAS) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents have intercepted a vessel with three men onboard entering Brewers Bay transporting more than $3 million inside duffel bags, CBP has announced.  “Transnational Criminal Organizations believe that law enforcement has relaxed its vigilance with social distancing and try to … Continued

CARIBBEAN CONFIRMS 8,976 CASES OF CORONAVIRUS

Cases of COVID-19 continue to mount in the Caribbean. Here are the confirmed coronavirus cases as of yesterday, April 22: • Dominican Republic- 5,300 cases, 260 deaths, 581 recovered • Cuba- 1,137 cases, 38 deaths, 309 recovered • Puerto Rico- 915* cases, 64 deaths (revised its positive cases downward*) • Jamaica- 233 cases, 6 deaths, … Continued

ST LUCIA CABINET AGREE TO 75% SALARY CUT IN FACE OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

LOOP Saint Lucia’s Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to a 75% salary reduction to help tackle the COVID-19 economic crisis, Loop News confirmed Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Ahead of Tuesday’s sitting of the House of Parliament, Commerce Minister, Bradley Felix, disclosed that discussions regarding pay cuts for parliamentarians was in its advanced stages, which would … Continued