~ COVID-19 protocols will be increased.~
PHILIPSBURG: --- St. Maarten will have its inaugural cruise on Saturday, June 5th announced Minister of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever. The Minister said that the first ship to call on St. Maarten is the Celebrity Millennium as the island prepares for homeporting.
De Weever said this is indeed a historic moment for the Port of St. Maarten and the destination as it is the first time in history that St. Maarten will be having homeporting, and this happens during the pandemic. The ship is expected to bring onshore some 8000 passengers.
Due to the homeporting, De Weever said that St. Maarten will be getting a lot of international media coverage as there are several overseas media outlets that have confirmed that they will be on the island on Saturday.
De Weever said that despite the fact St. Maarten has just entered the 2021 hurricane season, numbers have increased at the Princess Juliana International Airport. She said last weekend there were 8,632 passengers that passed through the airport which shows that St. Maarten is well on its way with an increased number of visitors as the figures showed that there was a 25% increase which she said will continue to get stronger.
Passengers traveling to St. Maarten are asked to stay updated with the travel and entry requirements for visitors.
De Weever said that during the homeporting the COVID 19 protocols will be enhanced as the intention is to keep both travelers and residents safe at all times.
Source: Souliga Newsday https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=37381:st-vincent-support-group-receives-60-tons-of-goods-for-vincentians&Itemid=450
