PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs clarified on Friday that her statements in her press release on Thursday regarding the national decree on border control have nothing to do with COVID-19. Jacobs said the decree has nothing to do with the French and Dutch borders on St. Maarten.
Jacobs said that her statements had to do with a follow-up meeting Government had with the Minister of Kingdom Relations. She said the current decree expires January 2020 which regulates the borders.
Residents St. Martin that wishes to go to St. Maarten for banking related business are asked to apply for the Waiver C to the Chief of Police or Prime Minister. Jacobs said that even though the form does not specify banking or medical the applicant can write it in on the form and submit it at least 24 hours in advance.
As of Friday, April 24th government distributed 1500 care packages and is busy preparing another 1500 for distribution.
In the meantime, the Police Department will be beefing up their controls to ensure residents respect the curfew and limit their movements during the COVID-19 lockdown. Chief of Police Carl John said the officers are somewhat tired as they have been working for the past four weeks without an off day. He said that the police will soon receive assistance from the marines in the very near future.
It was also disclosed that frontline workers were also tested positive for COVID-19 and those persons are in isolation. Prime Minister Jacobs said that three front liners in the medical field were tested positive and they have been isolated.
Currently, there are 7 persons hospitalized at the St. Maarten Medical Center, while the other numbers remained unchanged.
Jacobs said persons have been asking why St. Maarten has so many deaths (12) she said that infected persons did not seek medical attention on time, Jacobs also said that St. Maarten is keeping it real when it comes to releasing the figures regarding testing and COVID-19 related deaths.
Fenna Arnel also pleading with the population to get tested or call 914 if they have symptoms related to COVID-19 she said right now people are afraid of the stigma related to COVID-19 Arnell made clear that infectious diseases does not discriminate therefore everyone should get tested if they have influenza-like symptoms.
