PHILIPSBURG:--- Shops in Philipsburg will be permitted to open on St. Maarten’s Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day under a special exemption announced by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT).
The exemption allows shops in the designated Philipsburg area to operate between 6:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on November 11, 2026, December 25, 2026, and January 1, 2027.
According to the Ministry’s public announcement, the decision follows the number of cruise ships scheduled to visit Sint Maarten on those holidays. The measure is intended to improve the visitor experience and support economic activity during the holiday season.
The announcement includes a map outlining the Philipsburg area covered by the exemption.
TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten reminded businesses that the three dates are official public holidays. Under the National Ordinance on Shop Closure, businesses—including stand-alone casinos and lottery establishments—must generally remain closed on those days unless an applicable exemption permits them to operate.
Businesses that choose to open under the Philipsburg exemption must fully comply with all applicable labor regulations, the Ministry emphasized.
The announcement also identifies categories of businesses that may continue operating under Article 3 of the National Ordinance on Shop Closure. These include:
- Pharmacies, insofar as they sell medicines and medical products.
- Bars and restaurants.
- Hotels and guesthouses.
- Stores located in hotels, at the airport and on harbor premises.
- Funeral parlors.
- Gas stations.
- Bakeries selling pastries, milk and/or milk products.
The special holiday opening permission applies to shops within the designated Philipsburg area. Other businesses remain subject to the general closure requirements and the exceptions outlined in the announcement.
