SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) – On August 18th, 2021, an urgent meeting was held with the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA), the head of Inspection and Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT).
In an effort to ensure compliance with the COVID- 19 protocols within businesses, the Ministry of VSA, TEATT and Justice have joined forced to ensure maximum compliance.
Approaching the end of lockdown in 2020, businesses were required to enforce COVID-19 protocols for reopening (Annex A COVID-19 guidelines for businesses), the guidelines for these protocols were provided by Government and can be found on www.sintmaartengov.org/government/vsa/healthupdates/novelcoronavirus/pages/lockdown.aspx
The Minister believes that strict enforcement of these measures will aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19, along with the scale back of Nightlife business hours, which is currently in effect.
Ottley emphasized that there will be a zero-tolerance approach for violators, whereby businesses will be penalized by monetary fines or in extreme cases, closure of business.
These measures have been available to the Public and business communities for over one (1) year, yet it seems as though some businesses have become complacent, and measures have been disregarded, stated Minister Ottley.
