The decision to reduce the self-isolation period for those who had contact with coronavirus-infected persons but experience no symptoms from ten to seven days (see related story) is in line with the global trend. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even went to five days.
The rapid spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant is putting a strain on human resources worldwide. However, since the effects seem less severe and long-lasting than with its predecessors, present circumstances justify this latest move by Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley.
Figures from Aruba, where they are already talking about an exit-strategy from pandemic to endemic, confirm that hospitalisations for the current wave are not only fewer but on average shorter. Locally, active cases have dropped quite a bit in recent days.
While these are no doubt hopeful signs, the crisis is by no means over. Up to Saturday St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) still had 12 COVID-19 patients, which means the Dutch side’s 11:00pm business closure will stay in place for now.
Nevertheless, there at least appears to be light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, strengthened by indications that particularly stayover tourism has rebounded relatively well despite the continued health threat, negative travel advisories, testing requirements, precautionary measures, etc. People should hang in there, as better times may very well be ahead sooner than many think.
