UPDATED: Two borders between French and Dutch St. Martin completely blocked off
OYSTER POND — Late Monday afternoon authorities sent a container truck with containers to block off the border at the Oyster Pond frontier crossing after the border in Cupecoy had been blocked off earlier in the day and checkpoints set up at the Cole Bay/Bellevue and Dutch/French Quarter border crossings.
The reason why the frontier border in Oyster Pond was still open during the day was unknown as both borders in Cupecoy and Oyster Pond were to be blokkaded. See news report below from Sunday, April 5, 2020. StMaartenNews.com managed to obtain photos and video footage just as a container truck arrived at the Oyster Pond frontier to block off that border crossing under Dutch police supervision.
SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) – There are four border crossings between Saint-Martin (French) and Sint Maarten (Dutch). Two of these crossings, namely, in the Lowlands and at Oyster Pond will be closed for motorized traffic, it was disclosed on Sunday, April 5th during a joint press conference between the Governments of Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten. A state of emergency has been declared for Sint Maarten along with a two-week 24-hour curfew. The state of emergency 24-hour curfew starts midnight, Sunday April 5th.
Only two border crossings will be open and manned 24-hours a day seven days a week by the Gendarmarie and the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM).
The objective is to limit movement between two sides of the island. Only essential personnel working with a specified list of companies and/or government agencies and those traveling for an emergency will be able to pass once they can present a disaster pass or travel waiver that has been approved by the Prefecture or the KPSM.
The military detachment on the island will be assisting the police force in connection with the state of emergency.
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Photos and video by Tim van Dijk.
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In this collection of photos shared on social media can be seen how the Cupecoy frontier border from the French side is being blocked off with containers. Click here to see and comment on the photos online>>>
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