TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin French Side Beaches Reopen May 8

DAILY HERALD ARTICLE

Strolling and swimming only. Other information in the article as well.

Thanks for info, J.D. Bet the lines during Happy Hour at the Perch Bar & Grill on Orient will be much shorter for a while! But, in all seriousness opening the beaches is a good move that will hopefully motivate people to get outside and get some fresh air. Of course, as pointed out in the article maintaining correct distancing is still important even when outdoors. According to my youngest son, the chances of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus when outside is extremely low if proper spacing is being followed. I would think that the combination of heat and humidity present in the French West Indies will significantly lesses airborne transmission of the virus. Of course, the beach chairs that are set up at places like Bkini, Kontiki, KKO and even the Club O. beach will have to be spaced apart much further than they are presently and the french authorities should enforce this if possible. Getting some sunshine provides many benefits and gives the body a strong dose of Vitamin D which helps control inflammation and along with Vitamin C helps support our immune systems.

Just wondering - are the roads open yet or are they still on restricted travel? And wondering if there's any word on the reopening of Dutch side beaches for swimming.

French-side still requires a pass, which can be printed and filled out by the passholder. Passholders do self-certification of the pass, unlike Dutch-side.

Beaches are open for strolling and swimming ONLY. No chairs or Perch bar, for now anyway.

Here on the Dutch side we are awaiting word from the PM this weekend as to any changes in the lockdown. She has alluded to a plan, but no details yet.

Good news, I guess, but not sure how that will work. Can people sit in a chair on the beach now?

Not sure on French side. I know the Dutch PM said when she does open the beaches you can walk and swim. No sitting, keep moving.

OK

Here's the French beach rules.


Daniel Gibbs
May 7 at 9:10 PM ·
⚠️ D OF SWIMMING FROM MAY 8

As we announced last Monday in our weekly COM point, the beach walk and sea swim will be allowed again on the beaches of Saint Martin, starting Friday, May 08, 2020.

Apart from my skills, as President of the territorial community, I took a territorial decree, this Thursday, May 07, lifting the ban on swimming and beach access. This ban was taken as a security measure in March, at the beginning of the lockdown.

For example, residents are allowed, from Friday, May 08, to access the beaches for the practice of individual sports (walking - running) and to take a sea bath.

This order also states that bbq and beach meetings remain forbidden until further notice.

We rely on everyone's responsibility and ask the people to carefully respect these instructions in order to work towards the sustainability of this decree.
The territorial police will carry out surveillance patrols.
Law enforcement will be responsible for the enforcement of this order and, if necessary, verbalize the criminals.