Gov. Bryan Extends Moratorium on Evictions

Gov. Alberty Bryan Jr. announces the 28th Supplemental Executive Order Modifying Conditions of the “Safer-At-Home” Phase Friday at Government House. (Government House photo)

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued an executive order Friday extending the moratorium on evictions for the remainder of the year, removing restrictions on the number of people who can attend a funeral, and suspending vehicle inspections for private vehicles until March 15.

According to a Government House news release issued Friday, “The new protocols are effective immediately,” and a copy of the 28th Supplemental Executive Order Modifying Conditions of the “Safer-At-Home” Phase can be found at vi.gov or downloaded here – 28th Supplemental COVID19 Executive Order.

The extension of the eviction moratorium amends the 24th Supplemental Executive Order of May 25 and allows the moratorium to continue under existing conditions.

The Source reported on Sept. 17 that hundreds of Virgin Islanders faced eviction if the moratorium were not extended.

The removal of the limits of the number of attendees at a funeral amends Governor Bryan’s 21st Supplemental Executive Order of January 27, 2021, but the requirement to adhere to all orders regarding houses of worship, facial coverings, mass gatherings, and business restrictions continues in full force and effect.

The 28th Supplemental Executive Order also clarifies the protocols regarding sports, the news release said.

There are no restrictions on training exercises for high-risk contact sports, including but not limited to, football, basketball and volleyball, including all leagues, “pick-up” leagues and scholastic athletic organizations as long as no player contact is made. However, there is a ban on games and organized group events for those sports.

There are no restrictions on training, games and organized group events for low-risk sports, which include but are not limited to, baseball, softball, bowling, golf, cross-country, swimming, tennis, table tennis, pool, track and field, and competitive cheerleading as long as no player contact is made and health guidelines for masking, social distancing and mass gathering are followed.

The 28th Supplemental Executive Order also suspends all laws and rules regarding private vehicle inspections until March 15, 2022, unless the suspension is lifted at an earlier date.

“The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible,” the news release said.