Sint Maarten begins transitioning into endemic phase of COVID-19

MARIGOT, St. Martin - Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labour, Omar Ottley announced that Sint Maarten will begin transitioning into the endemic phase of COVID-19.

The minister stated that recently the word ‘endemic’ is being used as a term to reference exiting the pandemic. Minister Ottley stated that misconceptions about the word endemic may encourage misplaced complacency.

He further stated that entering into the endemic phase of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus doesn’t mean that COVID-19 will come to a natural end and that it just means the virus will now be considered an endemic infection, one in which overall rates are static — not rising, not falling.

“This is why we have been working on policies to shape the years to come. These policies, continued health hygiene measures and individual behaviour will determine what form the endemic COVID-19 takes.”

With that being said, the Minister elaborated on the first transitional steps to be taken in his back to normalcy strategy. As of February 25, the nightlife business hours will be extended to 3 am.