De Jongh: Government Operating Under Normal Conditions

In the aftermath of Hurricane Gonzalo, the Virgin Islands Government will proceed with normal operations Tuesday in both the St. Croix and St. Thomas-St. John districts, and government employees are asked to report to work at their usual time.

Governor John P. de Jongh, Jr. made the decision after a 4:45 a.m. conference call today with officials from VITEMA, the Department of Education and Public Works.

“Given the threat of inclement weather associated with Hurricane Gonzalo, there was some consideration being made to whether schools and government could operate normally today,” the governor said. “Based on the weather conditions overnight and in general, the lack of any significant rain or winds associated with the hurricane, there is no need to alter the work schedule. I am asking all government employees to report at their usual time today as government operations will function normally.”

VITEMA officials briefed the governor on the status of Gonzalo, now located about 90 miles to the north-northeast of the Virgin Islands with top winds of 110 miles per hour.

This morning, de Jongh also directed the Department of Education to take the necessary steps to open public schools across the Territory.

“We monitored the weather reports yesterday and the department made the decision to close St. Thomas – St. John public schools in anticipation of the inclement weather,” he said. “But given the minimal impact of the storm on the Virgin Islands, I see no good reason to cancel classes in either district. The department is ensuring that school bus transportation will be available and have determined that it is safe for our school-aged children to be in class today.”

University of the Virgin Islands

The University of the Virgin Islands will also open on its normal schedule on Tuesday, Oct. 14, a statement issued by the university has confirmed.

UVI is not in Hurricane Preparedness mode; operations are back to normal. The Reichhold Center Box Office is closed on Tuesday and will reopen on Wednesday, Oct. 15.