Relaxing at Cinnamon Bay at Virgin Islands National Park will be impacted by a "stay at home order" issued by the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands/NPS file

A flareup of Covid-19 in the U.S. Virgin Islands has prompted the territory's governor to ban leisure travel for 30 days, an order likely to throw a wrench into plans to visit Virgin Islands National Park in the coming weeks.

The ban takes effect Wednesday.

“The recent infiltration of the virus into our residential institutions that house vulnerable members of our population creates an alarming level of risk,” Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said earlier this month. “This adds to the stress of the ongoing pandemic response that seemingly has no end in sight and is wearing out our healthcare and public safety infrastructure.”

The governor's order applies to non-essential businesses, churches, limits restaurants to take-out, delivery or drive-through service through the end of August, and prohibits hotels, villas, Airbnbs, temporary vacation housing, and charter vessels and similar businesses from accepting leisure travel reservations for 30 days. It also imposes a "stay at home order" for the territory's residents.

The order does not apply to business travelers, emergency personnel, flight crews, or government guests with written authorization from the government agency they are visiting.