Justice Minister Anna Richardson
PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson and members of her cabinet are currently quarantining at home after one of their colleagues tested positive for COVID-19.
The staff member informed the minister on Monday, September 21, that the Health Ministry’s Collective Prevention Services (CPS) had informed them that they had tested positive for COVID-19. Thursday, September 17, was the last day the staff member had been on the job.
“Considering the close contact between the staff members, Minister Richardson and the cabinet staff were contacted by CPS on Monday, September 21, 2020, and advised to quarantine immediately, which they did. As such, the offices of the cabinet of Justice are being cleaned and sanitised,” it was stated in a press release.
“Notice of the positive case was given to the Council of Ministers, the Secretariat and persons who have been in close contact with Minister Richardson and her cabinet staff within the past four days to advise them of this development.”
Richardson said that although she and members of her cabinet are in quarantine, they are working from home and “will continue to execute our duties within the health perimeters as prescribed by CPS.”
According to the release, Richardson and other staff members have symptoms of the COVID-19 virus. Minister Richardson stated that she will rest and remain hydrated by drinking lots of fluids such as herbal tea and water along with intake of vitamin C. She plans to expose herself to sunlight and “continue to stay positive in faith.”
“I am bidding everyone to stay healthy and continue to take the necessary precautions to remain safe. All persons still working in the Government Administration Building are reminded to uphold mask-wearing protocols while less than two metres away from others and hand-sanitise regularly.
“Know that this is a situation that is affecting the entire world and not just St. Maarten. As such we will pull through this. The staffer and her family remain in our prayers and she is wished a speedy recovery,” Richardson said.
