PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of St. Maarten will not be allowing any mass gathering says Minister of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever when asked if government have funds to contribute to Carnival 2021 and the Heineken Regatta. De Weever said that two months ago she met with the organizers of the regatta and informed them that due to COVID-19 the government will not approve mass gatherings said she also informed the organizers that due to the financial situation government will not make any financial contributions. However, Heineken Regatta has decided to hold a racing event.
The Minister of TEATT said the same information was relayed to the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF). De Weever said that the SXM Musical Festival is still planing their events since they are still 3 months away from the event. De Weever said that the organizers are moving based on a day to day basis. As for the Heineken Regatta De Weever said they will move ahead with the boat race but shows are canceled. The Minister made clear as it is today, no mass gatherings will be allowed. She also said that the government does not know if that decision will change in the future since that depends on the amount of COVID-19 cases.
Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs added that she is of the belief that SDCF made a premature and irresponsible announcement because the government did not approve mass gatherings.
Jacobs said that SCDF has been requesting meetings, but no meeting was held prior to the announcement. Jacobs made clear that the SOG is a government foundation that manages the Festival Village where carnival is normally held and if mass gatherings are not approved by the government then there will not be a carnival in 2021.
The Prime Minister said the government had agreed that the cultural aspects of carnival however, music events can be held at any time of the year. She said that hosting the carnival requires community involvement and at this time none of this can take place. Jacobs further explained that large events that include mass or group gatherings have been canceled and St. Maarten is no different.
Prime Minister Jacobs appealed to the community to continue to take the necessary precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
