USVI Announces Holiday Paid Administrative
The United States Virgin Islands government has announced paid administrative leave for public sector workers across the territory for the holiday season and the upcoming gubernatorial inauguration. St. Croix government employees will also receive additional time off to celebrate the Crucian Christmas Festival. Essential services across the neighbouring territory will remain operational throughout the period.
Government House in the United States Virgin Islands has unveiled its official administrative leave schedule for public sector employees, granting paid time off for the Christmas and New Year holidays, regional festival activities, and the upcoming gubernatorial inauguration. Under the territory-wide schedule announced by Governor Albert Bryan Jr., eligible non-essential public officers across the USVI will receive half-day administrative leave with pay on Thursday, December 24, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Christmas Eve.
A similar half-day leave will be observed on Thursday, December 31, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. for New Year's Eve. In addition to the festive period, the governor has declared a full day of territory-wide administrative leave on Monday, January 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to mark the official inauguration ceremony of Governor-elect Stacey Plaskett and Lieutenant Governor-elect Milton Potter following their general election victory.
Public sector workers on the island of St. Croix have been granted additional time off to take part in traditional Crucian Christmas Festival events. Croix personnel will receive paid leave on Wednesday, December 30, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to attend the Festival Food Fair. On December 31, they will also receive leave from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Festival J'ouvert, which combines with the territory-wide New Year's Eve leave to provide a full paid day off on that date.
Governor Bryan highlighted the cultural and familial importance of the holidays, describing the season as a special time when families gather and celebrate long-standing Virgin Islands heritage. Government House confirmed that essential services will remain fully active throughout the holiday period.
The administrative leave provisions do not apply to emergency and essential staff, employees working scheduled shifts, or those already on annual or sick leave. For residents in the British Virgin Islands who frequently travel to St. Croix for shopping, family visits, or business during the festive season, these government closures may affect public offices, consular services, and regional administrative transactions.
Primary source: VINO