Social Security offices are currently open only for in-person appointments for limited, critical situations, depending upon local office conditions. However, you can continue to apply for a replacement Social Security card online and by mail. Before requesting a replacement card, please remember that you might not need the physical card.

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — On Saturday May 1, Governor Albert Bryan sent down proposed legislation to Senate President Donna Frett-Gregory requesting a 60-day extension to the current State of Emergency he proclaimed in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current State of Emergency extension is set to expire

CHRISTIANSTED — Governor Albert Bryan announced at Monday’s Government House weekly press briefing that the $1,400 stimulus payments from the American Rescue Act will be mailed out to tax filers who are eligible this week. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) sent out $600 checks to 41,524 — or 92

KINGSTOWN — Officials in St. Vincent said today that they were extremely worried about a COVID-19 outbreak given the lack of water and more positive cases being reported as thousands of evacuees fleeing the erupting volcano crowd into shelters and private homes. About a dozen cases have been reported in

SAN JUAN — Puerto Rico’s health secretary announced Thursday that all public and private schools in the U.S. territory would close for two weeks amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The closures would go into effect April 12, roughly a month after some 100 of the island’s 858 public schools

MEXICO CITY — Hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic have forced former sex workers in Mexico back into the trade years after they left, made it more dangerous and reduced some to having sex in cars or on sidewalks for lack of available hotels. Claudia, who like most of the

HAMILTON — Cruise operator Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd said today it would require mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all guests and crew when it restarts trips from U.S. ports in July. The company’s announcement follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) latest guidance last week to the cruise

CHRISTIANSTED — A food delivery business whose star rose with the COVID-19 pandemic has filed for bankruptcy protection from debts of $1.1 million owed to banks and local restaurant owners already struggling to stay in business. Incorporated in Clearwater, Florida., Island Direct filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in United States

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — President Joe Biden signed the new $1.9 trillion rescue package last week, providing for payments to qualifying individuals of up to $1,400, with payments to a qualifying family of four of $5,600. It is known as the American Rescue Plan.  People who make $75,000 or less a year are eligible

CHRISTIANSTED — The U.S. Virgin Islands does not use the COVID-19 vaccine that is currently on hold in Europe. According to the Virgin Islands Department of Health website, the VIDOH has only authorized ​​​​Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for use in the territory. Germany, France, Italy and Spain