A scene during the session with key stakeholders on the draft road map to gradually reopen Statia.
ST. EUSTATIUS--The public entity St. Eustatius updated key stakeholders last week about the draft plan to gradually reopen the island. School leaders will be updated this week.
Based on the input received from stakeholders, the road map will be finalised and communicated to the public. Meanwhile the Public Health Department requests that everyone who has not been vaccinated yet register promptly, as the second batch of vaccines will arrive soon.
Residents who still want to get vaccinated can still do so. Of the first batch received from the Netherlands, there are vaccines left. Vaccination is possible today, Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at the Hospitainer, from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Registration is not required.
The road map that is now in draft stage includes plans to further ease the COVID-19 measures and reopen the island. The next steps of the road map will be linked to the number of Statia residents who must be vaccinated before Statia can take the step.
The first decision was already taken. As of April 11, 2021, Statia residents who are vaccinated will be able to return to the island without the need to go into quarantine. They will be tested after five days and must adhere to social-distancing and hygiene rules during the five days.
Due to a technical issue with the freezer in Statia, the 1,200 additional Moderna vaccines for 600 Statians were sent to the Public Health Department in Saba. This is a temporary solution until Statia receives a new freezer.
The vaccines can only be transported from Saba to Statia when the number of registrations increases, because the vaccines can be stored in a refrigerator for a maximum period of a few weeks.
Up until now, 673 persons were vaccinated with both doses of the Moderna vaccine and 241 with the first dose. These latter persons will soon be vaccinated with the second dose. This means that a total of 914 residents will soon be fully vaccinated, which is a bit more than 30 per cent of the adult population.
“This is unfortunately nowhere near enough to reach the target of 80 per cent,” it was stated in a press release from the Government Information Service.
To reach 80 per cent, a total of 2,000 Statians must be vaccinated, which means the Public Health Department must vaccinate approximately 1,100 additional residents.
When a large part of the population is immune to a specific disease, such as COVID-19, it will help protect people who cannot be vaccinated because of their age or having certain medical conditions, the release said.
Persons who were already vaccinated with the first dose in February 2021, received their second dose mid-March. Some of these persons experienced side effects such as fever, chills, tiredness and headache.
“This is not to be concerned about,” it was stated in the release. Side effects after the second shot of the Moderna vaccine are normal signs that indicate that the body is building protection. These side effects may affect the ability to do daily activities, but often go away after a day, or in a few days. Many people had no side effects except a sore arm.
To register for the COVID-19 vaccination, persons can call +599 318-2981 or send an email to
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