~ wanted to know who typed up his C-waiver signed by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.~
PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:--- Dr. Michel Petit who practiced medicine for over 32 years on St. Maarten had an embarrassing experience on Saturday at the Bellevue border with an officer of the PAF in the presence of Prefet Sylvie Feucher. Dr. Petit told SMN News that he obtained his C-waiver from the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Silveria Jacobs on April 20th, 2020.
According to Dr. Petit he obtained his C-waiver when he was sought for medical advice during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic on St. Maarten, he said ever since he obtained the C-waiver he crossed the border several times without any issues even when the Dutch authorities were at the border, however on Saturday, May 23rd, Dr. Petit said he was on his way to Ace Hardware Store not realizing the Dutch side was closed for business today Saturday, May 23rd.
“I only realize that the businesses were closed when I reached Cole Bay and when I noticed that I turned around my vehicle to return to Marigot where I am living. On my way back I noticed about 20 vehicles in front of me that had multiple passengers and the PAF allowed everyone to cross over without any stringent control. I think within 30 seconds each vehicle was allowed to go through, but when I reached up, Prefet Sylvie Feucher arrived on the scene and this caused the female PAF officer to act as though they were doing such a good job by starting to question the C-waiver I obtained over a month ago.” 
This officer looked at the C-waiver and told me she did not see my name on the waiver, she then asked for my passport, then she wanted to know who typed up the C-waiver in the Prime Minister’s office, all of this to show the Prefet that the PAF has been doing a good job. Dr. Petit said the embarrassment did not end there he said the Prefet approached him also and wanted to know how he obtained the C-waiver which is not the original copy. Dr. Petit said he received the waiver by email and asked the Prefet if she did not send out waivers by email or electronically during the lockdown? He said there was no other way to receive the waiver but by email. Dr. Petit further explained that in the end, Prefet Feucher and the PAF officer took his passport and C-waiver to verify it because only then the Prefet said she has a list of all the persons that were issued waivers on the Dutch side. He said the PAF officer went on to tell him that there are persons that are committing fraud by making out their own waivers and have been signing it. “I now have to ask myself if I fit the profile of someone that commits fraud.? Dr. Petit asked?
It should be noted that on Friday Dr. Petit was asked by St Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to pick up a package on the French side that contained surgical gowns. He said he was able to pick up the medical supplies and deliver them to SMMC under two hours and that he used the same C-waiver without any problems but today a PAF officer who wanted to impress Prefet Feucher accused him of committing fraud. “ In my opinion all of this was unnecessary I am a French citizen, a medical professional that worked and paid my taxes on the Dutch side, and my vehicle has on a French license plate. I am totally embarrassed by the turn of events on Saturday and hopefully no one else gets the same experience as I did this morning.
“I have a message for Prefet Feucher, it is unfortunate that she was at the border and even questioned the C-waiver that was issued by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs while not respecting the recommendations on social distancing. The PAF officer was about 50 centimeters from my face, she did not have on a mask and while she is touching everyone’s documents at no time did she sanitizes her hands. My passport and C-waiver were taken from me and given back which I had to spray because I do not want to get infected by COVID-19. In the event of a resurgence of the virus on the French side Prefet, Feucher should know it is caused by her workers that are not following procedures as a medical doctor I can tell you that basic procedures on social distancing are not being followed. Secondly, I passed through the border several times a week and not once I saw any vehicles were turned back, in my view when you are not there it’s a free for all so if Prefet Feucher wants to enforce the closing of the borders then she would have to stand up there at all times or open the borders for everyone to pass through and follow the guidelines set down by medical professionals and organizations such as the World Health Organization.”
