Summary Updates for SXM COVID-19 Status…
As the Dutch side begin phase three of the opening of the country after COVID-19, the current active cases on both Sides stands at 1 (one) active case on the French side and 2 (two) on the Dutch Side.
On March 23, 2020, the government on the Dutch side began closing its borders to minimize the impact and effects of the COVID-19 virus, known to be an imported virus. We were able to contain the spread virus in a relatively short period of time.
On Sunday May 31, 2020, there are now 60 individuals in self-quarantine, and 8 in self-isolation. Overall, 461 persons have been tested, of which 77 were positive, 380 were negative, and 3 (three) tests are still pending. Of the 77 positive cases, 60 have recovered. St. Maarten has had only one positive case in the last 33 days, and no new cases in the last three weeks. Presently, there are 2 (two) active cases on St. Maarten.
After a meeting held with the EOC Friday, May 29, and some members of the Council of Ministers and ESF coordinators, it was decided to de-activate the EOC. as de-escalation continues and phase 3 has now started.
The EOC and the Council of Ministers decided that movement should be allowed on Saturday, May 30, 2020, and that the curfew hours be adjusted from 11:00 PM until 5:00 AM.
Additionally, businesses are allowed to open on Sundays in accordance with the Ministerial Regulation signed on May 29, 2020, 0324 implementing the changes to Phase 3 which now begins as of Saturday, May 30, 2020.
The Prime Minister said she would like to take this opportunity to thank the 11 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) Coordinators, their support teams, Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, the EOC Back Office, as well as His Excellency drs. Eugene B. Holiday, our Public Prosecutor M. Mol, and the Dutch Military for their unwavering commitment in shaping the decisions that enabled St. Maarten to collectively contain the spread of COVID-19.
Nothing was said about le Prefete Sylvie Feucher who stated that a protocol was sent to the Health ministry that had to be jointly signed as part of the agreement to handle the opening of the border together. The last bit of information we have on the Health Protocol prepared by the French Regional Health Agency, is that it’s been vetted by Dutch authorities before signing. The French authorities plans to open the internal border by Tuesday June 02.
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