🌱 Bryan Lifts Indoor Mask Mandate, WAPA Bills Will Spike + More

Is that the smell of a mask burning? Start your bonfires, folks, because the Governor just lifted the indoor mask mandate.

And after a one-day hiatus, Patch USVI is back with the full story on new mask requirements and more. Let's get this Tuesday started.

• Gov. Bryan announced on Monday that he is lifting the indoor mask mandate across the territory, effective immediately. But don't toss your favorite mask, yet, as they are still required for:
  • ports of entry
  • health facilities
  • nursing homes
  • schools (for now).
    Read more in the VI Consortium.
• As for the Travel Portal, Bryan told the VI Consortium on Sunday that the portal will remain in place until at least June.
• The St. Croix St. Patrick’s Day is back. After a taking a pandemic-break, the 51st Annual Parade is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, 2022. The parade starts at 11:00 AM in Christiansted and will start going west on Company Street, then south on Market Street, east on King Street, and finish on Hospital Street. Get all the details in The Source.
• Looking for a new gig? Check out who's hiring across the territory via USVI Patch.
• Gov. Bryan warned that consumer are in for an "imminent" increase in electricity bills as the cost of fuel continues to spike. Following the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause, WAPA's fuel costs can be directly passed on to customers. Should WAPA do so, every customer's bill will increase significantly. In response, Bryan says he might declare an energy state of emergency related to the utility co. Full story in the VI Consortium.
• And a reminder that the mainland is back on Daylight Saving Time, meaning they turned the clock one hour ahead and the U.S. East Coast is now on the same schedule with the USVI. For a history of daylight savings time -the why and how - check out this interesting piece in The Source. Here's everything

Today's Weather: Mostly sunny and breezy. High: 82 Low: 74.

Today's Events:

• Introduction to Stained Glass Shamrock at CMCArts in St. Croix (9:30 a.m.)
• Toddler Tuesday at the VI Children's Museum from 10:15 -11am (10:15 a.m.)
• Tune in to the Facebook Live event:Conversations with AARP VI. Guest: David Bornn, Esq. (11:00 a.m.)
• Steve Katz Live at Six Nine Restaurant & Bar in St. Croix (6:00 p.m.)

Social Buzz:

• We would like to invite all Children of our community to come out and learn about the art of costume making....If you have a design in mind, we would like to show you how to bring it to life!!! To Sign up/ information:Email: vlewis@usvitourism.viPhone: (678) 895-1233Sign up by Friday, March 18th, 2022 (USVI Festivals)
• Claude O. Markoe Elementary School will continue learning virtually on Tues., March 15. Repairs are being completed on a damaged water pump that caused a decrease in water pressure on the campus. (VI Dept. of Education)
• Thank you Liden George for your Act of Heroism. Liden George saved the life of a woman trapped in a vehicle that went into the water on the waterfront in St. Thomas last week. (Government House)
• RLS WIC office is moving: the new location is Norre Gade #28-29, around the corner from the Police Station and Courthouses. Across the street from Moravian Church and school. (Health Department)

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— Ashleigh Baldwin

About me: I'm the Patch Community News Editor for the U.S. Virgin Islands. I'm here to provide news you can use. Do you have a news tip, question or feedback? Please contact me at ashleigh.baldwin@patch.com.