~ Wearing of masks in public places mandatory, violators can be jailed or fined NAF. 5000.00~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Ministers of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever and Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek signed a Ministerial Decree on Friday to further enforce the sanitary guidelines in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
De Weever said that violators can find themselves behind bars for a period of 4 months or fined NAF.5,000.00. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, discotheques, restaurants, hotel bars, casinos, rooms rented for meetings, events’ and parties. The restrictions do not apply to hotels that must close off their businesses by midnight until 6 am.
Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek said that on Friday another person died due to COVID-19, he said during the past weeks the numbers in COVID-19 cases continue to rise rapidly as such it is now mandatory for persons to wear a face mask in public places. Employers and employees must also wear masks and ensured that proper social distancing and hygiene measures are practiced.
St. Maarten Epidemiologist Eva Lista de Weever from CPS said currently there are 74 active cases as of August 7th, 2020, 4 of which are hospitalized, 4 in isolation, while 86 persons have recovered and 17 deceased.
De Weever said based on the current trend, a large amount of younger people are being infected with the COVID-19 virus. She said the clusters have been identified and cleared. However, it is of uttermost importance that social distancing guidelines are followed.
