~ CPS and VMT gearing up towards 85% to achieve herd immunity. ~
PHILIPSBURG: --- The Collective Preventative Services (CPS) and the Vaccination Management Team (VMT) have launched their vaccination campaign where they are targeting 85% of the population vaccinated by end of July.
Minister of VSA Omar Ottley called especially on the undocumented immigrations that are residing on St. Maarten for four months and more to get vaccinated.
Ottley assured that the undocumented persons on St. Maarten will not be targeted by immigration. He said undocumented persons on the island can show up at any of the vaccination centers with their passports and proof of residencies such as a utility bill or housing contract.
Asked by SMN News if the Ministries of Health and Justice have reached a consensus on not targeting the undocumented. Ottley said the two Ministers have reached an agreement since both parties understand the urgency in getting everyone on the island vaccinated.
Ottley said St. Maarten is working hard at getting 85% of its population vaccinated in order to reach herd immunity so that the island can return to normal. He said several businesses and persons have been asking when they would be allowed to open their doors until 4 am, while some are asking that carnival activities resume. Ottley said the fasted the people get vaccinated the gates to the Festival Village could reopen while businesses will return to normal opening hours.
The Minister warned that the RVM has confirmed that St. Maarten has several variants of the COVID-19 virus. He said there are Indian variant, the UK variant, and the New York variant on the Dutch side of the island while the French side also confirmed that the African variant was detected, therefore everyone on the island is called to take the necessary precautions to avoid getting infected. Ottley said currently there are 23 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on St. Maarten, while 3 of those persons are hospitalized