PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley announced on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that persons visiting nightclubs will have to provide their vaccination card or QR code of negative PCR testing prior to entering these establishments.
Ottley said that the implementation of these requirements is based on the Memorandum of Intent (MOI) that was signed with the nightclub owners some months ago. The Minister said the proof of vaccination or negative PCR test will go into effect as of Friday.
Ottley said the laboratory in Simpson Bay will be open until 11 pm to test persons wishing to participate in nightlife activity.
The Minister further explained that another extension on opening hours for nightlife will be announced shortly, however, he promised that as soon as everything is in place with regards to vaccination and other compliance then the island will fully reopen to business.
In the meantime, the Minister said that right now St. Maarten has a grip on the spread of the coronavirus as there are 39 active cases. He said that he wished there were no active cases but clearly the spread of the virus is now being contained as such it is necessary for everyone to remain compliant with the health requirements.