TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Total Shutdown in the plans

Covid-19 Update - St. Maarten

A total shutdown of the Dutch side is in the planning by government due to residents not adhering to the current movement restrictions.

The national decree for the shutdown has been prepared by government and is with the Governor for signature. The exact date of the shutdown will be determined by the Prime Minister.

Government has also established a mandatory quarantine/isolation location to stem the spread of the virus.The legal regulations to put people in mandatory quarantine/isolation has been prepared to make this possible.

(Source: Govt. of St. Maarten)

At first I thought this might come from an alarmist like myself, but you are not an alarmist.

Wise move.

As I often here about weaknesses on the island as a visitor I have been most impressed by the locals and this might be a wise move as most of the GDP is halted, now keep folks safe.

Has to be hard with such a beautiful lure to drive the island and see the sights and beaches.

Hope you got enough stuff. Stay safe, stay home. Wash your hands.

This will cause a total disaster

Not if everyone keeps a cool head, wishful thinking. In any case, it will save lives. We have been warned, and too many were risking everyone's lives.

Glad Bill shopped two days ago.

Lesley and family, stay safe, be well.

Good luck to all of you.

Glad they are planning to take these actions. Some people are just to selfish to comply.

Thanks and it's just me and my Wife here . A lot of people would be starving .

I'm sure they must have some plans for that Lesley. Let's see what they have to say tomorrow. We're in the same boat as you and we were helping to feed two families in need. Won't be able to do that. We also feed and water the "Golf Course" dogs. Breaks my heart.

Best wishes to everyone there.

My heart is with all of the residents.

Thanks and hoping for the best to come. Prayers !

You seem to be able to put it into perspective with good coping skills. Accepting reality when Plan A doesn't work out and you are able to switch to Plan B. Being flexible is not one of my strong points. Experiences like this teach people how to be flexible and make the best of a bad situation. People can spend this time being angry or searching for inner strength and knowing that it is only temporary and will soon pass. Wishing you all peace and strength in these trying times.

Kennys is absolutely correct when he said, "This will cause a total disaster."

We are on our boat on the Dutch Side. Yes, there are many anchored boats on both the French Side and the Dutch Side. Nearly every other island in the Eastern Caribbean is closed for entry, so everyone must remain where they are so we are stuck here.

There was a vessel on the French Side that provided water delivery service to any boat that needed water. The gendarmes forced the man to cease any and all water delivery, as of 4 days ago. Getting water on the French Side is VERY difficult.

The border between both sides of the island is closed. There is water available on the Dutch Side in the Lagoon at IWW for boats but boats on the French Side cannot access the Dutch Side water because of the border closure.

That is only the water problem, not to mention everything else that will happen when the TOTAL 24 hour closure and mandatory curfew go into effect. I only hope the Dutch marines show up sooner, rather than later.

They have not closed the borders, yet. But you must have a valid reason for crossing (even for being on the road) and a document. Will probably change with the new updates. We'll see.

Are you allowed to dinghy ashore to purchase bottled water?

Times like these are why they sell those canned Sardines, smoked oysters and fish steaks.

Some like em year round while other others are like Crocodile Dundee “tastes like shot but you can live on it”.

Intentionally used the word “shot” for the grammar/typo police.

The vessels anchored on the French Side can dinghy ashore to purchase bottled water (on the French Side) or from Shrimpy's on the French Side. That is about all that is available to them. They must have the official permit printed out to show the gendarmes it is a necessary trip.

WOW. Hope you're doing OK getting water for your self.

Same here on Dutch side now. That will probably change this weekend.

St. Maarten secured a location for quarantine and isolation of patients that are not respecting the isolation guidelines.
Persons that are a threat to the community will also be moved to this location. The Government has a law in place to ensure and remove persons that are a threat to society. If the need arises they will be removed forcefully.
https://smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-...ed-two-within-one-day.html#disqus_thread

Again, please be very careful when posting links to SMN-News.

I am having trouble with the daily herald it crashes before I can read it. SMN-News may not be the most reliable source but it is all I've got.

Daily Herald does seem to have some capacity problems..

Herald opens for me OK.