PHILIPSBURG:--- Earlier in the week of July 20, the President of the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) Benjamin Ortega and Ad interim Director and Operations Manager Ruth Patrick, reminded clients of COCI about the need to practice social distancing with a banner outside the office building that displays COCIs slogan on ‘Stronger Together’ yet advocating ‘But six (6) feet apart’ as a key measure to protect public health.
Decal stickers on the outside as well as the inside of the office added to the public health advisory of the chamber.
Both Ortega and Patrick are appealing to the St. Maarten community to remain vigilant against COVID-19 because it is a highly infectious disease, and no-one is immune from this global pandemic.
During the course of the week, it also became evident that there is a resurgence in the number of cases in the country, and COCIs message reiterates the importance of social distancing and how everybody should strictly adhere to the Government’s public health measures.
The business community is also reminded to adhere to the guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour where it concerns the safe operation of various business sectors within the country.
Patrick stressed how important it is to adapt where needed to ensure that staff and clients of the various businesses are kept safe.
COCI has taken additional measures of limiting the number of clients that can be inside the office at one time in order to ensure social distancing. Another public health measure promoted by COCI is the wearing of face masks and/or coverings which have all been put in place by the Chamber.
Sanitation of hands through regular washing for 20 seconds with water or using hand sanitizer gels and liquids with a minimum of 60 per cent alcohol is extremely helpful to protect one’s health from possible COVID-19 infection.
Want to learn more about the COVID-19 measures and tips to prevent the disease visit the website of the Government of St. Maarten: www.sintmaartengov.org/coronavirus; Facebook.com/SXMGOV; tune in to Government Radio 107.9 FM, or call the CPS 914 hotline.
Ortega and Patrick both echoed the same message during the week by pointing out that “Your Safety is our priority.”
