CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Virgin Islands Air and Army National Guard said it began assisting with passenger screening for COVID-19 at the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas and the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix yesterday.
Virgin Islands guardsmen assist the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH) in screening all arriving passengers to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
“Screening arriving passengers at the ports creates an opportunity to increase awareness and provide education about the social distancing measures in place here in the territory,” Dr. Janis Valmond, deputy commissioner for the Department of Health, said. “The Department of Health welcomes the collaboration with VING as a true partner in this COVID-19 response.”
Anyone arriving to the island is urged to self-quarantine for 14 days. The number of VING troops mobilized in the effort to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow.
“The passengers will be asked to share relevant information through a preliminary questionnaire prompted by a Guardsmen,” Capt. Jahmel Leonard, Task Force Bravo commander, said.
If any passenger exhibits any symptom of COVID-19, he or she will be referred to the local health department. A passenger must voluntarily submit to the screening — a member of the flying public can choose to opt out of the request for information.
For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the USVI Department of Health’s website, doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777. For non-medical information, call (340) 715-6843 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. 7 days per week. #COVID19USVI