The Environmental Health Division is making preparations to accommodate the influx of persons requiring food handler’s certification ahead of the Emancipation Festival.

 Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer, Ms. Henrietta Alexander said that the division will be offering weekly food handlers’ courses for the months of June and July and persons should take advantage of this opportunity.

 “We want to remind the public that all food handlers are required to be certified in order to operate during August festivities,” Ms. Alexander said, adding, “The sessions will be available both in-person and virtually to provide flexibility and convenience for attendees.”

The schedule is as follows:

• June 10^th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS
• June 17^th at 9:00 a.m. Virtual
• June 24^th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS
• July 1^st at 9:00 a.m. Virtual
• July 15^th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS
• July 22^nd at 9:00 a.m. Virtual
• July 29^th at 5:00 p.m. ESHS

“We want to ensure that the participating community is aware that additional sessions will not be conducted outside of this schedule, therefore, individuals are strongly advised to attend early and avoid last-minute challenges in obtaining certification,” Ms. Alexander cautioned. 

The Acting Chief Environmental Health Officer stated that festival is a time of celebration, culture and community and that the division remains committed to prioritising food safety and ensuring food vendors have convenient and accessible opportunities to become certified.

Ms. Alexander added, “It is imperative that business owners and managers ensure that all individuals involved in food handling obtain the necessary certification to avoid any disruption to their business operations.” 

Booth owners are also reminded to visit the Environmental Health Division to collect temporary vending registration forms as soon as possible. The public can also follow Environmental Health Division BVI on Facebook for updated information and food handlers’ session’s registration links.

For more information, contact the Environmental Health Division via phone (284) 468-5110 or via email ehd@gov.vg.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.