GOVERNMENT IMPOSED CURFEW, STT/STJ/STX

FYI,
Islandlola.
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Alert / Warning
Law / Security - Access Control / Restriction

...This is an ACTUAL ACCESS CONTROL / RESTRICTION ALERT...

Issued By: VITEMA
Affected Jurisdictions: Virgin Islands

Headline: GOVERNOR DE JONGH IMPOSES CURFEW IN TWO ISLAND DISTRICTS

As a result of the anticipated deterioration in weather conditions across the territory, Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. on Monday imposed a 6 p.m. - 5:30 a.m. curfew in the St. Thomas – St. John district and a midnight to 5:30 a.m. curfew in the district of St. Croix. “The curfews are necessary to protect the public’s safety in times of inclement weather and at a time when there are pockets of power outages due to the impact of the storm on the territory,” de Jongh said.

“The curfew is necessary to ensure the safety of all residents as the worsening conditions occur across the Virgin Islands,” de Jongh said following a meeting with Lt. Governor Gregory Francis, Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis Jr., VITEMA Director Mark Walters and other senior administration advisors. The governor and lieutenant governor were briefed this morning on the track and effects of Hurricane Earl by VITEMA and the National Weather Service. “The effects from Hurricane Earl, at least for now, appear to be more pronounced in the St. Thomas- St. John where rainfall and gusty winds have been on the increase since early this morning,” de Jongh said.

Police Commissioner Novelle Francis Jr. said Monday that officers will be out enforcing the curfew and anyone found in violation and without the proper curfew passes will be taken into custody. Francis also appealed to the residents of both island districts to avoid being on the roadways unless it absolutely necessary. “There is a large volume of unnecessary traffic on the roadways of the Virgin Islands. We need to minimize traffic as much as possible during this period of inclement weather.”

Licensing and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Wayne Biggs reminded the public that a price freeze and restricted sale order is in effect since Sunday August 29. “Prices are frozen at the levels they were on Sunday and should not be increased until the order is relaxed.” Biggs noted that there have been reports of sharp price increases for good and commodities in the two island districts. “Our enforcement division is closely monitoring the business community for violations.”

Following an early evening conference call today, Government House will issue a statement on the status of government operations and the opening of public schools.

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Curfew

St. Thomas/St. John: 6 p.m. - 5:30 a.m

St. Croix: Midnight to 5:30 a.m.

Audio Recording URL: http://www.vialert.gov/Public/DownloadAudio.aspx?parentid=3097679&type=3---