PHILIPSBURG – The US government keeps cruise ships out of US controlled waters for at least 100 days, counting from March 14th, when the first No Sail Order was issued. There are still more than 100 cruise ships at sea, with 90.000 crew members. The Centers for Disease Control consider all cruise ships a possible threat to public health, also those deemed virus-free. Yesterday the CDC renewed the No Sail Order and other measures related to operations signed by the CDC director on March 14, 2020, ‘to preserve human life’. The CDC seeks to prevent crew members who are ill…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – The justice ministry does not have a grip on the detention facilities in St. Maarten. “The ministry has not freed up capacity for it and it is functioning badly. That hinders the prison management because the authority over personnel and finances lies with the minister of justice. Due to the ministry’s bad functioning decisions are not taken and important documents go missing.” This is one of the highly critical remarks in a blistering letter from the Progress Committee to Minister Raymond Knops (Home Affair and Kingdom Relations) that accompanies the committee’s 36th report about the situation at the…
PHILIPSBURG – The Progress Committee writes in its 36th report that the situation at the prison still leaves much to be desired – to put it mildly. The report covers the last quarter of 2019, though the committee executed its inspection tour in de last week of January, 2020. A massive initiative is needed to bring about substantial improvements within a reasonable time, the report states, adding, rather ominously: “We do not see those movements yet.” Executing the 2018-2023 detention plan for the prison is a “comprehensive and large project,” the report states, but just two people have to do…
DID THE CFT SET THE KINGDOM ON FIRE?[1] By Emsley D. Tromp April 10, 2020 On April 7th last, when the whole world was battling the coronavirus, the Cft struck a blow to the public trust in its raison d’être with a devastating recommendation to the RMR that was potentially worse than the coronavirus itself. The advice of the Cft was devoid of any compassion or sense of solidarity and showed complete disregard for the scale and ferocity of the corona outbreak. At issue here was the request made by the various countries of the Kingdom on this side of…
By Hilbert Haar Let’s have a closer look at our government’s solidarity initiative of and in particular at the decision to cut the salaries of ministers and members of parliament. Based on a letter from the board financial supervision we know that parliamentarians will give up their 6 percent representation costs as of April 1st as well as their monthly car-allowance of 500 guilders. Representation costs are based on the gross salary parliamentarians receive. They get a monthly payment based on the highest step in the highest salary scale for civil servants – plus 5 percent. The prime minister and…
PHILIPSBURG — People of St Maarten, both here on St. Maarten and abroad, I hereby address you as Prime Minister and Chair of the EOC for today’s update on April 9, 2020. As part of the process to keep the community of St. Maarten informed about the latest developments and government’s COVID-19 containment, mitigation and response measures. A strategic meeting was held yesterday, April 8, 2020, with the EOC and this morning, April 9. The disaster management team comprised of ESF 4 and the back office, met with ESF 6, the health section, to strategically plan for the roll out of the…
~Digital Postcards Social Media highlights the beauty of the island with thoughtful messages to keep destination top of mind ~ PHILIPSBURG — The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau together with the St. Martin Tourism Office jointly launched a Digital Postcard Social Media campaign to bring positive awareness to the destination by showcasing inspiring photos of the island together with thoughtful messages, while encouraging persons to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are immobile and dependent on digital means to stay connected. Therefore, the Digital Postcard Social Media Campaign encourages everyone to reconnect with places and people by reminiscing on…
PHILIPSBURG — As per the Kingdom Council outcomes of Thursday April 9th, it is very clear that country St. Maarten needs to take its first steps out of the crisis before help from the Netherlands will be forthcoming. Meaning, that solidarity in tightening our belts needs to first happen at home; and budget cuts across the Board are expected. Those actions, together with a timely and qualitative follow-up proposal to save jobs will likely not be available until the May timeframe, but it is the only way forward to (continue to) obtain support and save jobs and livelihoods of St.…
PHILIPSBURG – The Kingdom Council of Ministers will honor the requests for financial support from the BES-islands, Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten, Minister Raymond Knops (Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations) said during a life-streamed press conference from The Hague on Thursday morning. Knops emphasized the role of the Kingdom “We are in this together and will get out of this together. We will help you.” At the same time, Knops repeatedly pointed to the responsibility of the autonomous countries for their own financial household. The financial aid the minister referred to covers the next six weeks with interest-free loans that…
In the chaos of the corona pandemic, some things suddenly become very clear. While private businesses are the backbone of the economy, we now see that the heart of society beats with the grace of essential companies and government organizations. For the first time it is clear which they are; thanks to COVID-19 we know who cannot be missed. And what is really important. Construction has been halted. In the current situation, concrete is a side issue. Of course everyone needs a roof over their head and it would be great if a new hospital, airport and prison arise in…
