French border closes as Dutch side open to USA Flights
St. Maarten opening to flights out of the USA on August 01st 2020 is generating a fire storm of reactions across the region and in Europe. Right here at home the border is closed by French authorities claiming the move made by St. Maarten Dutch part to go ahead with plans to open to the USA is risky.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands have issued a travel advice for St. Maarten Dutch part coding it Orange; meaning unless travel is absolutely necessary to the Island, It is not recommended because of the increase in COVID-19 infections at this time.
Although St. Maarten stands at 58 positive cases during its second wave of COVID-19, opening to flights out of the USA is cause for concern in some circles. The United States is still struggling with controlling the virus at home and many think it would be wise to avoid connections to the USA at least until after September.
St. Maarten on the other hand was keen to opening up even at the risk of increase COVID-19 infections because of the importance of The USA market to its economy. The Ministry of Tourism however says in a statement, that the Health of citizens and visitors are of top priority, therefore a set of necessary measures were put in place to safe guard controlling any importation and further spread of the virus.
It must be noted that US citizens will not be permitted to travel to the French side of the Island. If this is a bad move by the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunications TEATT Ms. Ludmiler de Weever, It would have to be judged against the way we manage the second wave of COVID-19 moving forward.
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