News that fully vaccinated travellers with proof of such will no longer require a COVID-19 test to enter the country (see related story) is no doubt being welcomed by many. It means removing a significant burden and expense of testing for returning residents as well.
There is understandable concern whether this is not too risky, because also vaccinated people are infected, be it a lot fewer and with less detrimental consequences. It strictly regards vaccines approved by the Dutch Institute of Public Health and Environment RIVM and the World Health Organization (WHO), which is somewhat reassuring in that sense.
Of course, the borders are not being closed to unvaccinated visitors who can continue coming with a recent test. They will obviously still need to submit the current health declaration authorisation and upload their negative result prior to departure.
Truth be told, St. Maarten has little choice. A successful high tourism season is the only realistic way to climb out of this 18-month-long unprecedented coronavirus-related socioeconomic crisis.
Emergency assistance programmes for both businesses and individuals with grants and/or loans from the Netherlands came to an end per October 1, although government still received NAf. 22 million in liquidity support for the last quarter of 2021. As pointed out during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, the intention is to stop borrowing and instead start talking about reducing the growing debt incurred since the catastrophic passage of Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
An accelerated recovery of the dominant hospitality industry has – more than ever – become a matter of sheer survival.
