Governor Albert Bryan Jr. sent a letter to Congressional leaders requesting more federal assistance in addition to the emergency measures he requested on April 8. The Governor said to overcome this disaster, the USVI needs and requests a cash infusion through:
· Cancellation of Community Disaster Loans from Hurricanes Irma and Maria
· An increase in CARES Act funding through a change in the set-aside for the insular areas
· Waiving the local cost-share for Hurricanes Irma and Maria and the current COVID-19 disaster declaration (TBD)
· Cancellation of the Unemployment Trust Fund Debt
Governor Bryan also requested:
· Full reimbursement of federal tax provisions imposed on the USVI by the CARES Act; Earned Income Tax Credit paid by the local treasury
· Equal treatment and reimbursement to local hospitals equivalent to that provided to hospitals in the States
· Promotion of investment in the Territory as a path to economic stability and sustainability
· Forgiveness of SBA loans from Hurricanes Irma and Maria
· Enhanced funding and resources for border patrol and protection to stop the entry of high-risk COVID-19 undocumented immigrants
“We need to put more money back into the Territory. We are trying all sources for possible rescue from this incredible crisis that is not our making or the result of our decision-making: Governor Bryan wrote to the Congressional leaders..”
The plight of elderly and disabled residents was also addressed by the Governor, who said he has heard many complaints from them about the difficulty in finding transportation to run daily errands.
President Trump says he will sign an executive order that would immediately halt immigration into the United States, a move he said is necessary to protect American jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged the U.S. economy and has made 22 million American workers redundant. The executive order will most likely face legal challenges, would halt most visa processing, which means persons would not be able to apply for a visa to enter the US for the duration of the executive order. It would also place on hold U.S. citizenship interviews and ceremonies.
LIAT’s suspension of passenger services has been extended to May 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The airline will still be operating cargo flights to several destinations.