Children’s Christmas Party, Inauguration Activities Planned, Administrative Leave Announced

No new COVID-19 updates were given during Monday’s weekly Government House press briefing, but a schedule of events for children’s holiday parties, the Bryan/Roach inauguration and Crucian Christmas Festival was announced.

A drive-through gift-giving for kids was hosted by Government House on St. Croix Monday at 6 p.m., with events to follow at the Franklin Powell Park on St. John at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and on St. Thomas at 6 p.m. at Havensight Mall. The St. Thomas-St. John gift-givings will be regular in-person events, according to Government House Communications Director Richard Motta.

Gifts will be available for children ages 0-16.

Meanwhile, official inauguration events and Crucian Christmas Festival events will be happening simultaneously, and to allow government employees to attend both, administrative leave was announced for non-essential workers on:

  • Friday, Dec. 23, from 1-5 p.m. to engage in Christmas Eve reflection;
  • Monday, Jan. 2, for all non-essential government workers to attend inauguration events on St. Thomas and in observance of New Year’s;
  • Tuesday, Jan. 3, for non-essential government workers on St. John to attend inauguration events on St. John;
  • Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 4-5, for non-essential government workers on St. Croix to participate in inauguration activities on the big island, along with J’ouvert and Food Fair.

Administrative leave is also granted for all non-essential government employees on Friday, Jan. 6, in observance of Three Kings Day.