PHILIPSBURG:--- The French and Dutch Governments are currently having some issues with the border controls and who are allowed to cross the French and Dutch border announced Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on Friday. Jacobs said that the French Prefet Sylvie Feucher (State Government) seems to be fearful because the Dutch side has more active cases on their sides while the French only has one active case.
Jacobs said that the Dutch side did extensive community testing and they have been open and transparent with the results. She said that two meetings were held this week and there was no fruitful outcome on the reopening of the borders. Jacobs highly differs from the concerns of the Prefet while the local government fully agrees with her government on who is allowed to cross the border. She said the police and her person have been issuing waivers constantly but persons on the Dutch side that have to cross over to the French side are not getting the same courtesy. Jacobs said that besides this hiccup all other cooperation with the French is moving smoothly. The discussions on the border will continue next week.
Chief Police Carl John said on Friday that the Dutch Law Enforcement is busy preparing to remove themselves from the borders and to allow free movement of people. John said that KPSM is currently working on plans on how to keep businesses safe as they deescalate on the lockdown. Chief John also called on everyone to remain focus and to maintain the guidelines as COVID-19 is not over.
Serology Testing.
SMN News asked the Prime Minister if the extra test kits she said was coming to St. Maarten two weeks ago arrived. Jacobs said the test kits are not rapid tests but they are serology tests that will soon be on St. Maarten. The Prime Minister said that the tests are already on Curacao and soon it will arrive on St. Maarten.
Dutch Proposal still be discussed
Jacobs said that the Dutch Government did not consider the proposal St. Maarten sent to the Kingdom Council of Ministers but made a proposal to the Government of St. Maarten which is more like a “take it or leave it” offer. Jacobs did not give divulge the contents of the proposal but said that she will after discussing the matter with the Council of Ministers and Parliament.
With regards to the unions that objected to the cost-cutting measures, Jacobs said that what the government proposed to the two active unions was much better than what the Kingdom Council of Ministers proposed. Jacobs said that the unions said they sent a proposal but the government has not yet received it, she said when it arrives government will peruse it. Besides the Prime Minister said that the proposal government made is what the government could afford she said that should government pay the vacation pay for civil servants certainly there will come a point when they would not be able to pay salaries. She said that the government has to assist workers that lost income and her government is doing everything possible to spread the pain for survival from the effects on COVID-19.
Preparations begin for 2020 Hurricane Season
Head of the Fire Department Clyde Richardson said while St. Maarten is dealing with the COVID-19 lockdown and its effects the Fire Department is busy making preparations for the 2020 Hurricane Season. Richardson said that based on projections this year hurricane season shows it will be an active season.
