The Prefecture of the Northern Islands has just indicated that it is extending the closure of border controls between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten until September 15.
AN AREA OF ACTIVE CIRCULATION OF THE VIRUS
The last health bulletin, dated August 26, reports 139 active cases in Saint-Martin for a total of confirmed cases of 198 and 8 in Saint-Barthélemy, for a total of confirmed cases of 17. Sint Maarten lists 248 cases active for a total of 444 confirmed cases. 11 people are hospitalized at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital Center and 4 were transferred to the intensive care unit of the CHU de Guadeloupe. 7 Dutch residents are hospitalized in Sint Maarten. 6 deaths are to be deplored in part French and 17 in part Dutch.
The Prefecture recalls that the islands of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin have been classified as an active circulation zone of the virus, just like Guadeloupe and Martinique.
NEW MEASURES DECIDED
The Islands are thus listed in Annex 2 of the decree of July 10, 2020, which authorizes the Delegate Prefect of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin to take new measures to fight against the spread of the virus. However, "no new additional measure is envisaged for the moment", specifies the Prefecture.
Those which have already been taken remain in force, namely:
- declaration to the Prefecture of gatherings of more than 10 people
- closure of bars and restaurants at midnight
- compulsory wearing of a mask in all shops
- limitation of entry conditions by sea
- temporary access controls to Saint-Martin.
Journeys between the French islands are not subject to the presentation of a negative PCR test of less than 72 hours.
BORDERS CLOSED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 15
The increase in the number of cases and the limited hospital capacities are now pushing the Prefecture and the ARS, "after discussions with the Collectivité of Saint-Martin and in agreement with the French Overseas Ministry", to extend the restriction of movement between the two parts of the island until September 15, 2020.
Traffic remains strictly limited to compelling reasons (serious family reason, emergency health problem and proven professional reason).
For the start of the school year, children attending schools on the French side and residing in Sint-Maarten "will benefit from distance education organized by the National Education", specifies the Prefecture. "This educational continuity will also be ensured for all children who cannot return to school because of their personal situation".
If the Prefecture notes that "the efforts already made have shown a slowdown in the progression of the number of cases", it recalls that this "measure is put in place temporarily to limit the mixing of the population and slow down the spread of the virus on the territory ".
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