The V.I. Carnival 2000 holidays for government workers in the St. Thomas-St. John District will start at noon on Food Fair day, Wednesday, May 3. There'll be administrative leave for the whole territory on the days of J'Ouvert, the Children's Parade and the Adults Parade — Thursday through Saturday, May 4-6.
In a proclamation issued Tuesday, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull authorized his commissioners and agency heads to grant such leave to non-essential employees. He noted that the leave "shall not apply to essential employees, employees on a regular rotating shift or employees on sick leave."
The governor said in the proclamation that Carnival annually attracts hundreds of visitors, many of them family and friends of residents, thereby "affording the community the opportunity to play the role of goodwill ambassadors for the territory." According to a Government House release, Turnbull issued the administrative leave directive "to allow Virgin Islanders greater participation in Carnival activities and to enhance the celebration of Virgin Islands Carnival by all residents and visitors."