PHILIPSBURG: --- The Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley announced on Wednesday that St. Maarten is on its way to moving back to normalcy if the positive trend of the coronavirus remains positive.
The Minister referred to news coming out of the Netherlands that states that their current approach towards COVID-19 is not sustainable for society and the economy, since this is going to be a way of life worldwide.
Ottley said this is exactly what the government of St. Maarten has been saying and was busy preparing its people for. He said some people thought he was insane or does not have compassion however the only thing he asked is that people trust his judgment and his government because now the rest of the world has been following the trajectory St. Maarten used.
Ottley explained if the positive trend remains the way it is now then by Friday, February 11th, 2022 then nightlife opening hours will be extended to 01.00 am. The Minister further explained that if St. Maarten makes to extends its nightlife opening hours to 01.00 am on Friday, February 11th, 2020, then phase two will be eliminated permanently since this would be in line with St. Maarten’s normalcy trajectory.
The Minister made clear that St. Maarten must move forward with the COVID-19 because people must learn to live with the coronavirus. He said he will not make drastic decisions and open in one shot, he will stick to the phased approach but if the positive trend remains then it is time to eliminate phase two.
Minister Ottley: business hours extension forthcoming.
PHILIPSBURG— On Wednesday, February 9th, during the live Council of Minister's press briefing, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley announced that if the hospitalization and active numbers continue in their current trajectory, business hours will be extended to 1 am as soon as Friday, February 11th.
The Minister then stated that while we have always been at the forefront of the COVID-19 realities, we now see the rest of the world speaking of the endemic nature of the virus and they are slowly lifting their COVID-19 protocols.
Minister Ottley announced that St. Maarten is busy with its normalcy strategy and it will be scheduled to roll out as soon as May 2022. “We have to come to the reality that COVID-19 is something that will be around for a very long time”. said Ottley.
The Minister notified the press that if hospitalizations remain on the downside for the rest of the week, business hours will be extended to 1 am with phase 2 (11 pm) being eliminated. We are on a forward trajectory towards normalcy and cannot keep going backward.
