TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dutch side update

Schools and all non essential businesses to close as of midnight tonight. Just listened to PM's latest communication. I will post link to the video when it is uploaded.

Covid-19 Update - Dutch side

St. Maarten registers first confirmed Covid-19 case. The St. Maarten resident who recently traveled to United Kingdon is in self-quarantine.

Second test on same patient pending.

(Source: Prime Minister of St. Maarten)

https://www.facebook.com/SXMGOV/videos/493933104817524/

You will have to fast forward to see the talk, as of course it did not start on time

OK, I guess I missed the part when she said all nonessential businesses closed. VERY bad sound on the recording. Way too low to hear well.

Does that mean restaurants as well? If so, what about take-out and delivery? Grocery stores to stay open?

Worked fine for me on laptop.

They will have more updates with details at 4pm and 7pm

I was by far not the only one who couldn't hear, if you look at the comments on the side. Grocery stores are to remain open, from what I understand. Restaurants I THINK have to have carry out only, not sure.

At this point, if I were a visitor on island, I would go ahead and try to get a flight out, regardless of when I was otherwise planning to go home, because it is not going to be very comfortable or enjoyable.

Our refrigerator is full, freezer fairly. The weather is great. Scheduled to leave on April 1st and that flight still shows as ok. The United flights for tomorrow and the day after are still shwoing as active. Day to day life here seems to be much better than at home. We'll keep monitoring the situation.

Ok, best wishes, during trying time.

You know that's April fools day. No insult intended.

PRIME MINISTER Covid-19 Update – Dutch side – Schools and non-essential businesses to closed
1. Schools will be closed as of tomorrow, Wednesday March 18, until after Easter Break or longer depending on the situation. Teachers and Staff will work on plans until Friday. Next Wednesday classes for children of persons who perform essential services and students in exam classes will resume if service permits, Ministry of Education will fill in details after meeting with stakeholders.
2. All non-essential businesses will be closed as of today, Tuesday 11.59 pm for two weeks.
3. Only residents with a valid St. Maarten ID will be allowed to travel to St. Maarten until Sunday March 22, as well as persons deemed essential for safety and security who will be granted special permission. No flights to come in unless they are bring in St. Maarten residents and to take passengers out. Returning resident MUST self quarantine for 14 days.
4. Travel database “Timatic” will be updated to reflect the new travel restrictions.

McDonalds in Cole Bay is offering drive up only service, or walk through the same line Other restaurants like Pineapple Pete's are also offering curb side pickup. Yes, we are on the island now, on the Dutch Side.

Thanks. Is that going to change after midnight tonight or will that continue to be the case, as far as pick up service?

We will get an update at 7 pm local time. Hopefully they will address these issues, but you never know

OK, thanks for any info, as this goes along.

Just got back from the Carrefour on Union Road and they were crowded with shoppers from both sides of the Island. Shelves were being stocked and pretty much everthing was available.

Great. Thanks for posting..

Please stop trying to cause a panic as SXM is relatively in great shape regarding this virus. SXM is very pro active and doing the right things.

Sorry, I don't think I'm doing any such thing. Creating a panic?? NO. Telling tourists that their experience is not going to be a typical 'vacation' experience, yes.

I agree Carol. At OBBR, they are having 'informational meetings' twice a day to update guests on what is going on. Many people are being impacted by the restrictions being imposed, especially the return flights. Thanks for your efforts.

Agree with Carol. But I don't think SXM has even close the medical facilities or personnel to deal with this

Wendell

Yes all are being impacted by the virus ; but SXM is a lot better place to be in during this horrible time in USA, Canada, Europe, etc.
I'm from Ma. and all my friends there are going crazy worrying and most businesses and restaurants etc are being shut down for now.
Even though we have fears here; I feel more secure being in St Maarten than what ids going on in USA right now.

It's not the same thing in SXM??

I guess to go with that. What do you think is the difference of a hurricane clean up in SXM vs the US time wise?

Wendell

Wendell; I'm not downplaying the situation but all I hear from those in USA is stay here as people at home are in total panic mode. It is a scary time as none of us know how bad this will get.
My point is as of now SXM is safer than many areas in USA and Europe. This can change and we all will have to deal with it.
Try to follow the few thing we can do to stay germ free.

I see this how fast it comes. And where I am at I can go to a place that has facilities and medication to deal with it promptly. 10 cases would put Dutch SXM in overload.

Wendell

I'm happy for you. Good luck

My point is that a 'vacation experience' is not going to happen right now. And who knows what the entry situation is going to be, into the US in 7 or 10 days from now?

https://www.facebook.com/SXMGOV/


List of essential and non essential businesses

If I had the option I would feel MUCH safer in lock down in my own home in the USA...and that's in MA. I don't see the point of staying in a place that is shutting down almost everything and, in some cases, throwing you under the bus and telling you that you HAVE to vacate the premises and go home.....Grab a flight NOW....

No residents OR non-residents allowed in after Sunday..i.e. good luck with flights after then

I just returned last night and I saw very few masks but a lot of people wiping things down prior to touching. I did not at all see the overall panic on the plane or going through the airport I was expecting. I think a LOT of the media takes the worst case scenario, and makes that appear what the norm is that everyone is experiencing. I am about to see what the grocery store situation is at home, I understand a lot of shelves are empty.

I was told yesterday by a local who has a sister that works for the SXM government that what you posted was in the works.