TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Very sad

Just saw the beach Cam at Sunset beach bar as I am sure many others have done so and to see it like this is(possibly) necessary but very sad. Perhaps people do cause additional erosion. Hardly any rocks, wide beach of the likes that you rarely see. Watched for about 5 minutes and saw one taxi moving and that was it. Meanwhile back home, flights coming into Miami, Fort Myers and in London just heard from some friends that there was no testing at Heathrow, no questions, nothing. They managed to charter a plane, don't know the details, to a major airport i Europe and get back home but they spoke to several others who openly admitted they were going to the countryside where there were less people!! Madness.

I looked at it this morning. Just 2 trails of footprints.

Interesting. I just saw what looked like to be a private jet take off from Juliana.

Flightpath Charter Airways, en route to Wilmington, DE.

Yes, this is very sad. To think just one month ago my wife and I were having drinks at the Sunset Beach Bar. But, it was even sadder after Irma. I know that's an old story (2-1/2 years old), but at least things won't have to be reconstructed from the ground up after this. The tourists will return. The signs are beginning to trend in a slightly more positive direction here in the states, and though it will take time I'm hopeful that many places will reopen in some capacity my mid-June. Although a true vaccine is still a ways off into the future, there are presently 44 different research laboratories working on anti-viral medications that potentially can prevent or block the infections from this virus from entering the lungs. Once testing becomes available on a wide-scale (if it happens) then when someone tests positive for SARS-CoV2 such medicines can be given while the person is asymptomatic or has only mild symptoms. There are many good internet sites to review regarding this, but if you google "messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 and COVID-19" there are some great websites you can refer to regarding potential treatments.

My SXM taxi driver friend of 29 years, who has been through many hurricanes and rebuilds, says in his opinion, this will be a much tougher recovery since it impacts more than just the island and a rebuild. This is pretty much worldwide, has impacted cruises, airlines, people's health, finances, retirement accounts, jobs, etc. I want to hope he is wrong for the sake of the island, but he makes a very valid point.

Hey, and it was just 5 weeks ago Monday we ran into each other at Rosie's. How things have changes is almost unbelievable.

It is stunning, J.D. In some ways I feel quite fortunate that I was able to enjoy St. Martin once again, slipping under the wire before things came crashing down. Almost a bit guilty that I got there one last time, while others have had to cancel or postpone upcoming visits. But, I recall how terrible I felt back in September, 2017 when Irma struck and thinking "it's going to be years before we can get there." But, then I realized the suffering and economic loss that the people on the island must have been experiencing and I realized that any disruption to my personal plans in no way measured up to what those folks were going through. So, my wife and I vowed to get back to SXM every year without exception once things returned to some degree of normal. I believe the same applies here. If all of us make that pledge to get back St. Martin will recover once again. The people on St. Martin, from my experiences, are a pretty resilient group and I'm confident they'll bounce back. Already looking at 2021 dates for our next visit, and hopefully COVID-19 will be on the back burner by then.

They are resilient, no doubt about that but this is way more far-reaching than a hurricane. I would try to go back late fall but I really doubt it will come together so hopefully 2021.

I betting (guessing) mid June or July which is still a long time away. This is not just far reaching for SXM but the entire world. They have come back hurricane after hurricane so I have no doubt once this is over they will too. People will need paradise again big time!

I am just wondering how on earth are the restaurants going to survive, especially if they force most to observe social distancing and reduce tables by 50%. And you know how small some of the places are we visit? Now on the other hand, quite a few restaurants do close in July and come back anyway in October, so yes, they will have lost part of March-June income, could be worse. I just hope the Landlords give them a break but speaking with a few owners after Irma, that wasn't the case, but this time can the Government force the Landlords to do so, I doubt it. And then of course if rescue funds do come in from France/Holland, can we rely on the authorities to dole the money out properly? Most in the US still haven't received their checks, three weeks after the announcement and many won't at all. What a mess. I have spoken to two owners on the French side and its not ethical for me to mention them but a few are thinking of literally walking(running) as soon as they are able, as first Irma, then this, but their main concern is another hurricane and think its time, rather than not wish what could happen and be a doomster like so many others, but for the sake of their sanity, look elsewhere. I totally understand their thinking as there is so much one can take. Feel for so many there.

bran--I think it is very obvious that many restaurants, in SXM and the US, will go out of business. Small businesses everywhere will be the biggest casualty of this whole situation.

hey Rural
i am just waiting to push the button for early to mid november as my stay was cut short in March

Same here. 3 days cut off for me. I would consider late Oct. to mid. Nov. if things are in order and the price is right. Good luck.

Thinking positive thoughts(and hopeful ones), I re-booked our canceled March trip for 2 weeks in November with Jet Blue and Divi.

Airplanes are now so infrequent I usually get up and go have a look.

"Look, Ma, one a them newfangled flying machines!"

Ritchard--you are on SXM, is that correct? Regarding the airport, is it your impression that the airport is definitely closed to incoming traffic until around the first of June, based on the airport stating they were doing a two month hibernation?

I'm still here, yes.

I'm afraid I can't comment on the airport, I have no up-to-date info at all. We're just sitting still hoping they don't lock down the French Side like the Dutch Side. We're just north of the border in the lagoon. We still have a little bit of ability to move around for essentials, groceries, doctor/pharmacy visits, walking the dog. We get out for an hour a day. Our friends on the Dutch side are not so lucky.

OK, I actually didn't realize that one could still move about on the French side. French side took it more seriously to begin with and I guess has it more under control as a result. Best wishes.

The French-side lockdown isn't as tight as the Dutch-side. With a permit (derogation certificate) you can move around for specific purposes such as shopping for food, picking up to-go food, exercise (not in groups, 1 hour max, no more than 1km from home), or pet needs. It can be downloaded from the Prefect's office and printed, you can write the entire thing on a piece of paper, or there's a site where you can fill in an electronic copy on your phone. It's good for 1 hour, and the date/time when you left home has to be filled in. The Gendarmes do check certificates, and they are fining violators.

Bahston--I knew that was the case early on, that one could travel with permission, but guess I wasn't paying attention, thought that when the Dutch side went to full shutdown, that the French side did also.

The French Side did not follow anything the Dutch Side did regarding access to grocery stores nor a complete shutdown as with the Dutch Side. The problem is that the borders are closed. So those needing propane on the French side cannot get propane because the main distributor is on the Dutch Side. Things like that and the lack of access to grocery stores on the Dutch Side are very difficult for locals and sailors on both sides of the island to deal with.

Also, there is limited news coverage because, as you know, the Daily Herald is shut down so there is a definite lack of factual coverage about what is really going on in the neighborhoods. We did hear St. Peters has shut down all food delivery due to overloading the system.

It is a really sad situation.

To bad both sides can't unite for this and have the same lock down and policies.

The Daily Herald still has a website with information and a facebook page.


https://www.thedailyherald.sx/home

https://www.facebook.com/heraldsxm/