Prime Minister: Curaçao goes into lockdown for two weeks.

WILLEMSTAD:--- The Prime Minister of Curaçao Eugene Rhuggenaath announced today that a lockdown will be introduced on Wednesday for at least two weeks. Everyone should stay at home and avoid contact with others as much as possible.

The past two weeks saw a significant increase in the number of corona infections, partly due to the British variant. More and more people are also being admitted to intensive care.

Curfews remain in place between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. A "plachi di dia" or license plate of the day will also be reintroduced. This means that people are only allowed to take to the streets two days a week, based on their license plate, to visit essential stores, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations. In addition, the car-free Sunday applies.

License plates with the letters A, D, F, G, H, K, BF, Z, WA can be on the streets on Monday and Thursday. On Tuesdays and Fridays, only vehicles with letters B, J, L, N, R, U, MF are allowed on the street. S, T, V, X, and Y are next on Wednesday and Saturday.

Exceptions to the Plachi di Dia (license plate of the day) can be requested. To do this, visit kalamidat.cw and fill out the form.

There is also an exception for those who have to bring and pick up their children from school or daycare. This can be done between 4:30 am and 8:00 am and 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm.

But the Prime Minister says that tomorrow more information will be given about the continuation of education.

For informal care, there is an exception between 4:30 am and 8:00 am and 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm. All gyms must be closed. Sports in a group is no longer allowed. Individual sports are allowed, but it is not allowed to drive to a place to exercise. Individual outdoor sports are also allowed between 4:30 am and 8:00 am and 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm.

Visiting the beach is prohibited for the time being.

"We must do everything we can to prevent the spread of corona," said Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath. The vaccination course against corona continues as usual. Construction work can continue under certain conditions, says Rhuggenaath.

The Prime Minister indicated that the borders would remain open. Tourists can keep coming, but the new measures also apply to them. They too must adhere to the curfew and the license plate of the day rule.


Curacao Chronicle