The V.I. Port Authority released a statement Tuesday providing an update on port operations amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Air travel
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Both King Airport on St. Thomas and Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix will remain open.
Both airports, however, have experienced a marked drop in travelers, and the Port Authority expects even fewer to arrive as new hotel bookings are suspended effective today.
Since the airports operate under guidelines set by the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority cannot close them without federal authorization.
The Port Authority says that had the airports been closed, thousands of guests would have been stranded in the territory.
As of March 22, over 400 guests have departed from the Virgin Islands. Hundreds of passengers traveling through St. Thomas destined for the British Virgin Islands have also returned to the mainland due to the BVI’s port closures.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Seaborne and Cape Air have reported reduced schedules or cancellations of flights to and from St. Thomas, according to the Port Authority.
No airline cancellations have been reported for St. Croix. Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines directly for flight information prior to arriving at the airport.
Sea travel
All cruise lines have voluntarily suspended their operations for at least 30 days.
All three car ferry companies are operating between St. John and St. Thomas. Global Marine, Love City Car Ferries and the Todd G. Global Marine have published modified ferry service schedules.
The St. John-St. Thomas passenger ferries are operating as normal.
The QE IV ferry, which services the St. Croix-St. Thomas route is not operating until further notice.
Ferry operations at the Blyden Terminal ended Tuesday and will be closed until further notice. Customs services will be available at the Blyden Terminal from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
For BVI ferry companies, the Port Authority advised the public to confirm schedules directly with the companies in the interest of accuracy.
Cargo operations in the territory will continue as normal.
Other services
Customs and Border Protection has adjusted its hours of operations at the Port Authority’s St. Thomas-St. John district’s ports to reduce staffing in response to COVID-19. There are no changes to hours of operation in the St. Croix district at this time.
CPB hours at King Airport are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; at the Blyden Terminal, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; at the Victor Sewer Facility on St. John, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; and the Fredericks Marine Terminal at Red Hook will be closed until further notice.
The Port Authority ID Office will also be closed to the public until further notice. IDs will not be processed for marine or aviation employees. All police reports including lost badge reports should be made over the phone by calling the Port Authority Dispatch Office at 340-714-6659.
All Security Identity Display Area classes have been canceled until further notice.
The Port Authority’s airport and seaport lots are open normal hours.
The public can communicate with Port Authority staff by calling 340-774-1629 on St. Thomas-St. John or 340-778-1012 on St. Croix, or via e-mail [email protected]. Updates will be posted online.
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©2020 The Virgin Islands Daily News (St. Thomas, VIR)
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