~ calls to adhere to protocols by the government.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of St. Maarten confirmed on Wednesday that there have not been any imported cases of COVID-19 for the past 3 months. Minister of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever said that only one resident that returned to the island on Tuesday tested positive. The Minister was responding to questions posed by SMN News regarding the tests that are conducted at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE). De Weever said that the PCR tests and other protocols in place are working very well for the country. The Minister said it is preferable if visitors or residents that are coming into the island to conduct their PCR tests prior to arrival on St. Maarten, she said the one case that was detected on Tuesday was through PCR testing that was conducted upon the arrival of the resident.
In the month of November, there have been 243 positive COVID-19 cases, which is 84 more cases that were detected in October.
De Weever said that COVID-19 on St. Maarten has been narrowed down to local transmission and the government's focus is to ensure that is lowered. She called on businesses to uphold the protocols in place if not they will be shutdown. The Minister of economic affairs said supermarkets are no longer making it mandatory for customers to wear masks while they are also not sanitizing enough. Businesses that are caught relaxing the protocols will either be fined or closed indefinitely.
Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs also called on the people of St. Maarten to remain vigilant, she said she does not want to have to shut the island down again, therefore residents must follow the guidelines that are in place. Jacobs made clear that St. Maarten is not withholding or hiding information on COVID-19 she said all results are made public and are posted on the government's website.
Just recently the Netherlands coded St. Maarten as yellow Jacobs said that St. Maarten COVID-19 status is getting better but more must be done by everyone until the vaccine is made available locally.
