A joint letter sent by St. Maarten’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) and the “Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint Martin” (CCISM) to political authorities on both sides of the island about the border restrictions and their negative impact on doing business as well as daily life (see related story) is most welcome. The practical closure was called “premature” and “precipitous” also because the single economic pillar – tourism – knows no borders.
Judging from today’s report on the plight of French-side hoteliers, they could be right. Even the last part of the Staycation campaign suffered, as many potential Dutch-side clients cancelled and the same can no doubt be said the other way around.
Although there are significant differences in approach regarding various coronavirus-related matters of which allowing travel from the US is probably the main one, it should be possible to find common ground and at least coordinate policies. For example, a big concern mentioned was that passengers landing at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) with a valid PCR test result or who test negative on arrival are not made to do a second confirmation test after seven days. Maybe that is something which could be accommodated.
As the letter correctly states, it looks like COVID-19 will be present within the community for a while. Getting the dominant hospitality industry going again despite this circumstance is urgent for the immediate future wellbeing of the people and their livelihood.
Besides, recent experience in both Aruba and St. Maarten indicates that letting in Americans is not what most likely sparked the current outbreaks there, which are local in nature. These have a lot more to do with lack of social distancing and other precautions.
The two chambers plan to expound on their ideas during Thursday’s press conference, but the underlying message is already clear. There will be no real new normal until a “Return of The Friendly Island” with its historically open borders.
