PHILIPSBURG--The ministerial regulation establishing maximum prices on latex and silicone gloves, hand sanitizers, N95 masks, disinfecting wipes and sprays and rubbing alcohol (70%), goes into effect as of today, Thursday.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication Melissa Arrindel-Doncher made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday.
She said the Ministerial Regulation establishing the maximum prices on items in connection with the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been approved and will go into effect on Thursday March 12, until further notice. The maximum prices was put in place to prevent price gouging.
The Ministerial Regulation with the attachment to the Maximum Price Regulation can be found on government’s website: www.sintmaartengov.org. The items, whose prices are being regulated are deemed necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
“Given the volatility of global prices on the above-mentioned items, the intention is to review the list periodically with stakeholders to ensure that these essential items remain available to the population of Sint Maarten as the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide,” it was stated in the release.
Sellers will be forbidden from offering and selling the listed items higher than the maximum prices stipulated.
The Department of Control and Inspection of the Ministry of TEATT will be responsible for controlling the adherence of businesses to the established maximum prices. The public is urged to contact the Department at tel. 542-4511, if violations are found. When purchasing items from the list(s), consumers can snap a picture of the item and request a receipt, which should include the price of the item, the date of purchase and the name and address of the business where the item was purchased. Businesses that fail to adhere to the established maximum prices risk imprisonment for up to four years or a maximum fine of NAf. 10,000.
