The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 travel warning for St. Maarten and Aruba. One must keep in mind that it regards the return from a COVID-19 general “Do Not Travel” policy back to the usual countries-specific approach. Most other places are in the same category, including many with low coronavirus numbers.
Nevertheless, the news comes as both islands experience a spike of infections and seems almost ironic because they were heavily criticised for reopening to their main tourism market the US, which itself is considered a high-risk country. To be sure, such advisories say nothing about the nations from which they originate, only those for which they are issued. In this instance non-essential travel is discouraged, with the next step being a total ban at Level 4.
The message could to a certain extent undermine efforts to get the economies of the two destinations going again after four months at a practical standstill due to the pandemic. Loyal visitors and/or seasoned travellers may still want to come, considering that US airlines have already been flying to Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) under the blanket negative advice since Saturday. However, others might be inclined to look for lower-risk alternatives instead.
The local outbreaks are unrelated to the threat of importing cases by receiving guests from abroad. While that appears to have been handled well, partying indoors without enough social distancing and protective measures reportedly played a big role.
Persons who acted irresponsibly in that sense and contributed to the problem need to understand that they hurt not only themselves and possibly those in their immediate surroundings, but the entire community. With bars and nightclubs now basically forced to close at midnight, the unfortunate reality is that – once again – the good end up paying for the bad.
