Aircraft and baggage handler at F.D. Roosevelt Airport in St. Eustatius.
ST. EUSTATIUS--The Public Entity St. Eustatius is in the process of organising day trips to St. Maarten for essential business transactions.
Deputy Government Commissioner Alida Francis stated during a public broadcast that the island government had received inquiries from residents who needed day-visits to St. Maarten to make essential business transactions such as at banks and notaries. In response, the public entity worked out a plan, under which persons will be able to conduct business in St. Maarten in a safe and coordinated manner, so that upon their return to Statia these people would not be required to go into quarantine.
Under Statia’s current coronavirus policy, persons travelling from medium-risk or high-risk islands and countries need to quarantine for a period of two weeks. Currently, St. Maarten is considered a high-risk destination.
Deputy Commissioner Francis said a final version of the travel protocol to St. Maarten will be presented for approval on January 4, 2021. The key principle of the protocol is that only visits to banks and notary offices will be allowed, and with appointment only.
Transport in St Maarten will be organised by the same company that is being utilised by health insurance office ZVK for medical referrals to St. Maarten in a bubble, in which contact with anyone outside the bubble is not permitted.
The island government will order the transportation, with travellers paying the driver on the spot. Travellers will be driven from Princess Juliana International Airport to their appointment and back. No deviations are allowed.
Any other visits to St. Maarten will only be allowed under very special circumstances, such as for humanitarian reasons.
