Both the Government of the Virgin Islands and the Department of Environmental Health has denied allegations of Inland Revenue being forced to close due to a possible COVID-19 exposure.
Following the abrupt closure of Inland Revenue on Friday August 21st, many reports have surfaced alleging that a staff was infected with the novel Coronavirus.
However, according to the Environmental Health department, the allegations are false. They said “we got a report from inland revenue that a customer took sick in the reception area. She vomited we were told and we advised and supervised the cleaning up of the area by the cleaners of Inland Revenue. The National epidemioligist advised them on other actions.”
When contacted by our newsroom for a comment, Minister for Health, Honorable Carvin Malone also said “I just confirmed that the person was ill and taken to the hospital, and tested. No official report submitted to me as yet.”
“The office was closed on Friday by staff in the abundance of caution, NOT because of confirmation of testings,” he added.
The Environmental health department further reiterated that the closure was not informed by their department. They said “Health did not advise that there be any closure.”
Up to press time, officials from Inland Revenue could not be met for a comment. The department will resume operations on Monday , August 24 at 8:30 a.m.
On Friday evening the Minister of Health confirmed (9) new cases of Covid-19, bringing the territory’s total to (21).
Aggressive contact tracing has begun to identify possible traces of infection to ensure that those persons are quarantined.