National Address by Chair of EOC PM Silveria Jacobs on COVID-19, Schools closed as of Wednesday, March 18th
PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs announced on Tuesday that St. Maarten now has its first confirmed case of COVID-19. She said the patient recently returned from the United Kingdom and he is currently in quarantine. Jacobs said testing was conducted in Guadeloupe and the RIVM will also be conducting tests based on the procedures that have to be followed.
Jacobs also announced that a decision to close all schools as of Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 for a period of two weeks.
The government also decided to shut down all non- essential services to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. This shutdown goes into effect by Wednesday, March 18th, 2020.
Residents of St. Maarten are the only persons allowed to board aircraft's to return to St. Maarten, these persons must have in their possession a valid St. Maarten ID card or proof of registration. Persons that returned to the island including crew members are obliged to stay quarantined for a period of 14 days which will be monitored by CPS.
Residents are again urged to practice proper hygiene, refrain from touching, social gatherings.
Jacobs also called on residents not to go binge shopping and food and medical supplies will still be coming into the island as trade continues.
