St. Thomas, Virgin Islands – On July 21, 2021, the Virgin Islands Department of Health confirmed
the presence of the Delta variant in the territory and reported a 15% increase in positive cases.
Additionally, the Department of Health reported that hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is now at
the highest since the onset of the global pandemic.

Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory announced today that the Legislature has updated its
COVID-19 protocols. Effective Monday, August 2, 2021, all in-person testimony is suspended
until further notice. “Due to the serious health hazard and high transmissibility of Delta variant,
this suspension is warranted,” said Frett-Gregory. Additionally, visitors to all legislative buildings
and facilities must present their vaccination card or negative COVID test taken no more than 72-
hours in advance of their visit.

There have been several positive cases in the St. Croix Legislature Building, hence out of an
abundance of caution, the St. Croix Legislature Building will be closed on Monday, August 2,
2021, to permit for the testing of all employees and the sanitizing of the building. The St. Thomas
and St. John Legislative Buildings will be open as usual for business on Monday, August 2, 2021.
“To ensure the safety of Senators and staff, the Legislature is currently working on additional
protocols which are scheduled to be completed by week’s end,” stated Frett-Gregory. “I continue
to encourage all unvaccinated persons to consider getting vaccinated and to adhere to the safety
protocols issued by the Virgin Islands Department of Health.”