File photo of the 2019 number plates, which were still used in 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis (file photo).
PHILIPSBURG--Motorists in the country will get new number plates for their vehicles in 2021. Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said government is still looking into the possible solutions that can be used in the place of number plates for the future.
He said the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic had affected many suppliers, however, number plates will be used again for 2021, as plates have already been ordered for next year.
COVID-19 affected the delivery of the 2020 plates, which had to come from China. The original contractor who won the bid for the plates had pulled out of the project. However, the issue authorities faced earlier this year had been the effects of coronavirus on the opening of companies in China, as the company in China that had been handling the plates was not allowed to be open due to COVID-19. Motorists who had paid their 2020 motor vehicle tax were allowed to continue using their current number plates without repercussions and eventually were allowed to obtain a sticker.
A number plate is issued after payment of motor vehicle tax for each calendar year.
