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The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) is announcing that Curfew Pass request forms are available at its offices territorywide and online at
www.VITEMA.gov. Businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Application forms can be picked up at VITEMA’s office at 7 & 8 King Cross St., Christiansted on St. Croix, at #6 Susannaberg on St. John, and at 8221 Nisky on St. Thomas. The application includes a Liability Release Form, Curfew Pass Request Form for the authorized representative of the business, and a Curfew Pass Request Form to list the names of employees needing a pass. Along with the application, businesses must submit a copy of its current business license.
During a state of emergency, the Governor of the Virgin Islands may impose a curfew if the extent of the damages poses a threat to the safety and security of the general public and to allow first responders, road-clearing crews and emergency utility workers to quickly access roads after a disaster. Along with imposing a curfew, the Governor may also order street closings, control movement in and out of disaster areas, prohibit modes of transportation, and call for evacuations if considered necessary for the preservation of life.
Curfew passes are issued to businesses to allow for assessment of damages, for securing property and for preparations to return to normal operations. Special consideration will be given to those businesses that normally work on a 24-hour schedule and need to remain operational.
While there is no deadline to apply, VITEMA has implemented new guidelines to prevent businesses from overwhelming the agency with request for curfew passes as it prepares for storm impact.
“Once we receive notification that the Territory is in the path of a storm, we will immediately cease accepting and processing curfew pass applications,” said VITEMA Director Elton Lewis. “At that time, VITEMA will be in response mode and preparing to activate the Emergency Operations Centers territorywide and working with other local and Federal agencies to prepare for impact. Employees will not be available to process passes.”
Businesses should also note that submittal of an application for curfew passes does not guarantee that the request will be granted. VITEMA vets all applications to determine whether there is real need for passes, Lewis stated.
Lewis is also reminding businesses that the VI Police Department is authorized to deny any individual, including those holding curfew passes, access to certain areas for safety and security reasons, and is also authorized to confiscate curfew passes when necessary. Police officers also can arrest those found in violation of curfew or misusing curfew passes.
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