USVI sets up preflight COVID tests
The U.S. Virgin Islands has teamed up with American Airlines to “minimize” the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the territory through the “LetsGetChecked” preflight testing program. Starting Wednesday, U.S. passengers bound for the USVI will have access to the program’s testing, which “must be completed within five days of departure.”
The at-home LetsGetChecked coronavirus test uses a nasal swab and PCR lab analysis. After completed and received in the lab, test results are available “on average 48 hours upon receipt.”
Whether by air or sea, all travelers ages 5 or older entering the USVI must “use the USVI Travel Screening Portal and submit a COVID-19 test result prior to travel.” This includes travelers who are “in transit to another destination.”
Adherence to these protocols will help “avoid processing delays, enhanced health screening and/or mandatory self-quarantine,” according to USVI officials.
Before travel begins, “LetsGetChecked” gives airline customers “access to at-home PCR testing with observation by a medical professional via a virtual visit,” helping to protect “the lives and livelihoods of Virgin Islanders, and visitors, said USVI Gov. Albert Bryan.
USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte praised the preflight program and the goal of “keeping our residents and visitors safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.”
“This easy-to-use, at-home solution adds another layer of protection, convenience and confidence for those traveling to the Territory, allowing them to focus on their unique reasons for choosing the USVI,” said Boschulte.
Visit usviupdate.com for information.
Author Antenor speaks
Author, broadcaster and educator Mildred Antenor will be the guest speaker Tuesday of “The Immigrant Journey: Our Stories Matter,” presented virtually by the Haitian Women’s Alliance. Antenor — a veteran commentator, professor and author of “”The Gladioli Are Invisible: A Memoir” — will be featured in the session, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. TV journalist Marlie Hall will host the event. For information, visit facebook.com/haitianwomensalliance. Also search youtube.com for “Haitian Women’s Alliance” and subscribe to the page. Send email to haitianwomensalliance@gmail.com.
Council election forum
The future of the heavily Caribbean-populated 12th City Council District in the Bronx is high on the agenda of “Virtual Candidates Forum: 12th City Council Special Election, Bronx,” presented by Street Hype newspaper Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The forum will feature Neville Mitchell, Pamela Hamilton-Johnson and Kevin Riley — three of the candidates running in a special election to replace former Councilman Andy King, who was removed from the Council for misconduct. The district includes Wakefield, Olinville, Edenwald, Eastchester, Williamsbridge, Baychester and Co-op City. The forum can be reached by Zoom or telephone. The Zoom password is bronx12 and the meeting ID is 889-081-7680. To gain access by phone, call (646) 558-8656, (301) 715-8592, (312) 626-6799 or (669) 900-9128 and use pass code 9016503. Patrick Maitland will moderate the session, which will be hosted by Tashany Brown and Prof. Michael Wattkis. For information, call Street Hype at (914) 663-4972
Karine’s White House nod
Caribbean-born political organizer, activist, commentator and author Karine Jean Pierre is making news again — she’s been named principal deputy press secretary for President-elect Joe Biden, part of his all-female senior communications team. Jean Pierre — who was born in Martinique to Haitian immigrant parents — had most recently been chief of staff for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. Raised in Queens, Jean Pierre attended Columbia University, and became an international and public affairs lecturer at the school.
Tourism supporter honored
Josef Forstmayr, managing director at Round Hill Hotel and Villas — who has certainly made contributions to the Jamaica tourism industry over the years — was recently recognized “for his sterling contribution to the Jamaica Tourist Board.”
Forstmayr was formally thanked for “his 23 years of unbroken service as a member of the Board of Directors of the JTB” last week with a gift presented by Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett.