MARIGOT:--- Based on the latest health bulletin dated August 26th with 139 active cases in Saint-Martin for a total of confirmed while Sint Maarten records 248 active cases for a total of 444 confirmed cases.
11 people are hospitalized at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital Centre and 4 have been transferred to the ICU of Guadeloupe. 7 Dutch residents are hospitalized in Sint Maarten. 6 deaths are recorded in part French and 17 in part Dutch.
The islands of Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin have been classified as active virus circulation as well as Guadeloupe and Martinique.
This listing in annex 2 of the decree of July 10, 2020, authorizes the Prefette delegate of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin to take further measures to combat the spread of the virus. No further complementary measures are being considered at this time. The ones already taken remain in effect: declaration in Prefecture of meetings of more than 10 people; closure of bars and restaurants at midnight; wearing a mask required in all shops; limitation of entry conditions by sea; temporary controls of access to Saint Martin.
Traveling between the French islands are not subject to a negative PCR test of less than 72 h.
Extension of border checks until September 15, 2020.
Due to the increase in the number of cases and limited hospital capacity, the Prefecture, and the ARS, after exchanges with the Community of Saint-Martin and in agreement with the Ministry of the Overseas, decide to extend the traffic restriction between the two parts of the island until September 15, 2020.
Traffic remains strictly limited to the following compelling reasons: serious family reason, emergency health problems, and proven professional motive.
With regard to schooling, children enrolled in schools in the French part, and staying in Sint-Maarten will benefit from distance learning organized by National Education. This pedagogical continuity will also be ensured for all children who cannot resume school due to their personal situation.
The measure is temporarily put in place to limit population brewing and to stop the spread of the virus on the territory. The efforts already made have shown a slowdown in the number of cases. Wearing a mask is strongly advised in all circumstances and respect for barrier gestures is essential.
All these measures are essential to limit the spread of the virus and prevent saturation of our health system. These are temporarily set up and reassessed daily.
Population health is the only argument that must guide our decisions.
