Press Statement
Date: May 16, 2020
Council of Ministers Agree To Cease Border Controls For St. Maarten

Philipsburg – After deliberation in the Council of Ministers' meeting on Friday, May 15, 2020, it was
decided that based on the efforts of the government to properly contain the virus, leading to a decrease
in the number of COVID-19 cases on the both sides, as well as the bonds that exist between the people,
it is no longer necessary to maintain the border controls and restrictions of movement between the two
sides.

As of Sunday morning, which is a non-movement day, the Dutch Police Force will no longer control
the internal borders of St. Maarten. The container which was placed by our police force at the Oyster

Pond border to minimize the number of borders requiring control, will also be removed on Sunday.

The police force will be refocusing its energy on de-escalation measures, and on ensuring that safety
and security is maintained during this process as businesses re-open in phase 2 on Monday morning.
Prime Minister Jacobs informed that the police force will continue to maintain the night curfew which
will be from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM as of Monday evening.
“Just as before the ‘State of Emergency,’ the Dutch side of the island will no longer require waivers.
As one small 37 square mile island, we have tried our utmost to synchronize measures with our
northern counterparts to protect the population from the spread of this virus, at times causing some
stress to our citizens with family and economic ties on both sides. We see no need for this any longer
as the COVID-19 cases are well under control, and it is time to normalize even further. As our
businesses reopen, more persons will need to access their business, or place of work, making this extra
task unreasonable.” stated Prime Minister Jacobs.
Collective Prevention Services (CPS) community outreach testing campaign will continue this
weekend and next weekend, however, during the week, normal movement is allowed to allow persons
the opportunity to earn a living and get our economy restarted while upholding the guidelines for safety
of employees and clients.

After discussions with our French counterparts on Saturday morning, where they were updated of the
decision of the Council of Ministers, it has been confirmed by Madame la Prefet Feucher that the
French gendarmes will maintain the controls as they require additional time to evaluate whether their
containment efforts via community testing have been successful. As this is the case, our French
counterparts will continue to require waivers to allow movement to French St. Maarten.

“In discussions with President Gibbs and the Collectivite, I have been informed by President Gibbs
that he has contacted the Minister of Overseas Territories Annick Girardin and has advised her to also
lift the border controls due to the decision taken by the Council of Ministers of St. Maarten in an effort
to synchronize the measures on both sides of the island as border control is a competency of the state.
Our population is much more aware of the dangers of the virus and will continue to practice the
guidelines to be out in public; wearing a mask at all times, keeping a social distance of 2 meters and
practicing proper hand hygiene frequently in order to avoid a second wave. Our behaviour will
determine the success of our de-escalation of measures.
There are times, unfortunately, when our different systems cannot synchronize, as such we will
continue to meet and discuss best practices moving forward and do our best to foster cooperation as
we de-escalate measures and continue to fight the spread of COVID-19.” concluded Prime Minister
Jacobs.

Here is the herald link.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islan...maarten-french-side-to-maintain-controls

So the French can cross to the Dutch side but the Dutch can't cross to the French side (without waivers)

Correct

The decision on the French-side border controls is not a local decision. Border controls are a Federal decision, which will be made by mainland France. Any advice/requests/suggestions from President Gibbs and the Prefect will be considered, but the decision will be on the Federal level.

Dutch side enforcing curfew.
https://thedailyherald.sx/islands/ten-arrested-for-violating-curfew

They've been pretty good about doing that all along.

Your title is misleading. I do not see anything about people boarding in other peoples homes. Is thissupposed to be about countries borders?

I will edit the title but it should have been clear what the article was about, even with the incorrect word being used.

Thanks for the edit.