Preventative patrols around St. Peters South Reward to curb school-related fights Over the last couple of weeks, police have again noticed an uptick in school fights in South Reward. Police have reviewed several videos circulating on social media in which students are seen assaulting others. To curb this aggravating trend once again, police will re-implement its patrolling in the densely populated school district. This plan of action plan based on the ministerial decree, issued by the Minister of Justice, to reduce the fights and other illegal acts committed in and around the schools especially in St. Peters and South Reward. Police force of Sint Maarten and the Prosecutor’s Office urge students to think deeply about their actions, to keep tempers in check, and avoid starting or instigating fights. Participation in fights around school areas can land participants in trouble with the law, and getting in contact with the law can harm future prospects – everything from gaining entrance into institutions of higher education to job prospects. Aiding someone in a fight can constitute complicity, which is also punishable by law.https://www.stmaartennews.org Further, fights create an unfriendly and unsafe atmosphere for fellow students and sets a bad example for other (younger) students. Bystanders who cheer on and/or film videos of these fights should reflect on their behavior as they are creating and contributing to an atmosphere where people get hurt. Other actions will be undertaken by KPSM to further safeguard everyone in the affected areas. https://stmaartennews.org/preventative-patrols-st-peters-south-reward-to-curb-school-related-fights-uptick-in-school-fights-in-south-reward/
The Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBP), the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), Customs Sint Maarten and the Inspectorates of TEATT and VSA carried out multidisciplinary joint controls with results in the Simpson Bay area on February 11, 2022. The joint efforts are carried out as overall controls for residence and work permits, illegal substances and business licenses. In addition, the joint controls executed in Simpson Bay were done in collaboration with SZV, whom were able to search for, and collect information to follow up on.
During the multidisciplinary joint controls, two establishments were fined by TEATT inspectors for irregularities in their business documentation/employing persons without valid documentation. Additionally, knives were confiscated by Customs at one of the establishments. A total of 12 persons were detained due to failure to produce a valid work or residence permit and are being processed. Article 5 of the LBHAM outlines the rules for exemption of work permits. For exception of the categories mentioned in Article 5, all persons require an employment permit.
Business owners are hereby advised to ensure that their business is in possession of a business license to operate on Dutch Sint Maarten. In the event this is not the case; business owners should visit the Department of Economic Affairs within the Ministry of TEATT to regulate all that is required to operate a business. Businesses are also advised to see to it that all their employees are legally authorized to work and reside on Dutch Sint Maarten. It is also essential that all employed persons within a business are insured as proper registration with SZV is mandatory.
If the employee is not born on Sint Maarten, then it is a must to contact the Labor Department within the Ministry of VSA, followed by applying for a residence permit within the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Justice. All non-nationals seeking to work and/or live on Dutch Sint Maarten must be in possession of a valid work permit and residence permit. You are strongly advised to contact the Immigration Department to gain information. https://www.stmaartennews.org
The multidisciplinary team is executing their duties by law and reiterating that the joint controls will continue throughout various communities. The public is widely reminded that persons from age 12 and older are required by law to have a valid form of identification in their possession while using the public streets. Further to, persons who are legally on the island by way of a work and residence permit should have these in their possession at all times. Failure to identify oneself to the authorities is a misdemeanor offense and may result in being fined or detained. The multidisciplinary team hereby thanks the community for their support and cooperation. https://www.sxmgovernment.com https://stmaartennews.org/kpsm-police-update-video-and-update-immigration-raids-simpson-bay-strip-detain-undocumented/
At the request of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, we wish to inform you about the travel and health information site of Sint Maarten, whereby travelers may access information on the entry requirements for St. Maarten. https://www.sxmgovernment.com Passengers can also be redirected to the secured Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) https://www.sxmairport.com/travel-advisory.php 📷 by RTGH Photography Aviation Caribbean Airlines
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Sint Maarten EHAS General Information GENERAL MEASURES Please adhere to the following general measures in effect on both sides of the island and help us keep it safe:
Wearing a mask is mandatory in all public places, airport, public transportation, supermarkets and in all areas, buildings and stores where social distancing is not possible.Keep a safe distance of 5-6 ft (1.5 – 2 m) at all times, including beach visits. Wash your hand frequently with soap during 20 sec. or use hand sanitizer containing at least 65% alcohol. Sanitize your hands before entering a store or supermarket. Discard of the disposable mask in a closed bin. Wash a re-usable mask at least every other day If you become sick with fever and flu like symptoms, please contact the hotel front desk and/or the public health authorities immediately on phone number 914. Make sure to carry along a reliable thermometer, in the event that you may have to be quarantined and for daily self-monitoring. Do not take more than 4 persons in your rental vehicle if not part of your family. Comply with all instructions from the island authorities and the airport, your hotel, restaurants, stores etc. What are the Core Actions taken in our Tourism Industry? Throughout the tourism industry, St. Maarten has established 6 core actions that will be undertaken as basic guidelines to preventing the spread of COVID-19 on our island and our citizens and visitors have to adhere to which are:
Physical distancing with proper floor/ place marketing Proper Face coverings Frequent handwashing, sanitizing and proper hygiene practices Frequently cleaning surfaces Employees that are sick are encouraged to stay home and report illness Mitigate touch points as much as possible. To ensure that St. Maarten remains a safe destination all lodging facilities and tourism businesses have specific criteria for sanitization, social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols in order to open to guests. These measures will enhance protection of visitors, staff and our nationals.
At the Princess Juliana International Airport the Coronavirus taskforce created a safe airport environment by implementing airport safety protocols. This includes: the mandatory use of face masks covering the mouth and nose, continuously monitoring safety protocols in coordination with airline and airport partners, an awareness program on social distancing for passengers and employees, mass fever screening stations, mandatory hand sanitizing stations located throughout the airport, regular disinfecting of hard surfaces throughout the day combined with deep cleaning regimens during low capacity hours, and high quality Plexiglas barriers separating front-line staff and passengers.
Transit passengers with final destination Saba, must complete an EHAS application for Sint Maarten. GENERAL INFORMATION
Due to the COVID-19 epidemic Sint Maarten has established a mandatory health pre-authorization application through an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) for every visitor arriving by air including transits, Sint Maarten and Saint Martin residents. Without the health pre-authorization boarding will not be possible. Be advised that processing time can take up to 12 hours. For visitors arriving by ferry boat from St.Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, St. Barth’s, Saba and St, Eustatius and cruisers without an agent health pre-authorization application through the Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) is mandatory as well. Other maritime vessels please read the latest requirements here. The requirements vary depending on the country risk and vaccination status. Please scroll down. All fully vaccinated travelers: the completed vaccination date cannot be older than one year, unless a booster shot has been administered before the ending of the one year term. The booster shot must be at least 14 days old. The EHAS application must still be completed. The date of completion of vaccination must be submitted as well as valid proof of vaccination (official country vaccination card or QR code, full name and name, dates administered and batch number(s) of vaccine) from the country where the vaccine was administered. A received booster shot must be indicated in the appropriate field and proof thereof (official country vaccination card or QR code) must be uploaded as well. You are considered fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine : 2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer, Moderna, Astrazeneca, Sinopharm, Sinovac/Coronavac and Covishield vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine, or 2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series combination of a single dose Pfizer or Moderna with a single dose Astra Zeneca, or 2 weeks after a single-dose of vaccine after a confirmed COVID-19 infection within 6 months before the vaccination (to be stated on proof of vaccination in absence of a digital COVID-19 infection certificate). the accepted Covid-19 vaccines are: Comirnaty (Pfizer), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (Astrazeneca), Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, Covishield (Astrazeneca), Sinopharm and Sinovac/CoronaVac. All non- fully vaccinated, are required to have a negative Covid-19 test in accordance with the required type of test. For the age category of 5 up to 10 years, an oropharyngeal swab will also be accepted. The government of Sint Maarten has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 insurance for all travelers with destination Sint Maarten with the exception of Sint Maarten residents, transit passengers departing the same day (checkbox), flight crews (checkbox), transiting cruise ship crews (checkbox), French nationals residing in France or a French territory, BES-ZVK insured (checkbox) and AUC faculty and students (special procedure). The insurance purchasing process is an integrated step in the EHAS application. Travelers requiring the COVID-19 insurance must complete this process upon application. For more information on and all questions related to the COVID-19 insurance please visit www.sxmprotectionplan.com or contact customer support at info@sxmprotectionplan.com The application must be completed in order to be processed. This includes proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, information on the vaccination status (including official proof of completed vaccination in case fully vaccinated) and the purchase of the mandatory COVID-19 insurance in case required. Children must have the online health form filled out by their parents. Provide a working personal email address on which you are reachable. All incoming passengers are subjected to temperature checks and other screening protocols and may be subjected to mandatory testing at their own expense. Failure to comply with the screening at the Health Check Point upon arrival will result in you not being cleared to enter St. Maarten and sent back to your originating country. If re-tested upon arrival you will be required to self-isolate or self-quarantine at your place of lodging/residence until the test results are known. Applicants will receive confirmation of their accepted application. Non-completed applications will be automatically deleted within a day after the provided travel date. If health authorization is pre-approved, you will receive a (printable) pre-authorization PDF via e-mail, which must be presented at check in and to the health and immigration authorities upon arrival. This PDF will also contain a QR code which will show the vaccination status and COVID test result when scanned. Keep the original rt-PCR or antigen test result and proof of vaccination always with you. Please check your spam/junk mail folder as well in case you haven’t received a response. If health authorization is not pre-approved, you will receive an e-mail informing you that health pre-authorization has been denied. Adherence to all other safety and hygiene protocols like social distancing, mandatory face mask wearing and hand sanitizing is required. COVID-19 TEST REQUIREMENTS
Traveling
to Sint Maarten from:
EHAS application
required
Fully vaccinated plus
booster shot >14 days
Fully vaccinated
5 yrs. and older
Children
0 to 5 yrs.
Non fully vaccinated
5 yrs. and older
Any Country yes no test required rt-PCR test within 48 hrs. or Ag test within 24 hrs. before departure no test required rt-PCR test within 48 hrs. before departure rt-PCR and antigen test sample for the SARS-COV-2 virus must be obtained from naso-pharyngeal swab in adolescents and adults. An oro-pharygeal swab is accepted in case of children. Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted. Airlines might require you to show a negative lab test result. The original test resultto be uploaded as part of EHAS application procedure must clearly specify the name of the laboratory or clinic, full name of test subject, type of test administered, name of antigen test, sample date, source of the swab, result date and a negative result. Non-compliant test results, hand written or e-mail statements from doctors will not be accepted. Applicants with a recent COVID-19 infection and still a positive COVID-19 test will only be granted entry with a pos rt-PCR test result when the Ct value is above 35. The Ct value must be clearly indicated on the test result. AIRLINE, PRIVATE FLIGHT AND AIR AMBULANCE CREW
All airline, private flight and air ambulance crew must be able to demonstrate proof of full vaccination or in case not fully vaccinated, a valid negative COVID-19 test result according to the risk category of the country of departure. Crew members with stopovers of more than one(1) night must submit an application through EHAS. The same travel requirements as for passengers apply in these cases.
CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS ARRIVING BY AIR AND DEPARTING BY CRUISESHIP FROM SINT MAARTEN
All passengers must complete the application procedure through EHAS before departing to Sint Maarten. Within 48 hours, before disembarking again in Sint Maarten at the end of the cruise, all passengers older 5 years and older must have an antigen test performed by the cruise line. Applying through EHAS is not necessary when returning to Sint Maarten at the end of the cruise. The purchase of COVID-19 insurance (see below) is mandatory when staying more than one (1) day in Sint Maarten either before or after the cruise. The insurance is only valid during the days of stay in Sint Maarten between the arrival date and return date to the country of origin. SELF MONITORING
For all travelers 5 consecutive days of self-monitoring of body temperature and possible flu like symptoms is mandatory. The travelers will receive an automated daily email alert providing a link for submitting the required information online the first 5 days of their stay. If you are remaining for a shorter term on the island, you will have to submit the information for the time you are on the island. Temperature measuring possibilities will also be offered in the lobby in most hotels and other lodging facilities. OUTBOUND TRAVELERS
For information on testing locations please visit https://stmaartenupdates.com/testing-on-island/ Thank you for choosing St. Maarten as your preferred vacation destination. COUNTRY RISK ASSESSMENT A risk assessment of countries is necessary. This will classify a country in either a low, high or very high-risk category for transmission of COVID-19. This categorization of countries is very dynamic and may change in time. Categorization is managed by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Services and Labor of Sint Maarten. Risk classification COVID-19 All countries are categorized as very high risk until further notice.
Philipsburg🇸🇽 – The Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Silveria E. Jacobs would like to inform the general public that she has tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend, and will remain in isolation as prescribed by the public health protocols. Prime Minister Jacobs is fully vaccinated, has also taken the booster shot and is experiencing mild symptoms. She is expected to resume her duties in person by Wednesday, February 16, on the 8th day after the onset of symptoms. Prime Minister Jacobs has remained vigilant and has informed Collective Prevention Services (CPS) who will carry out the usual contact tracing. Prime Minister Jacobs has also informed persons who may have been exposed. Those persons should monitor themselves. https://www.stmaartennews.org
Prime Minister Jacobs felt it necessary to share this information in full transparency as a means of removing any stigma still attached to the virus. COVID-19 indeed does not discriminate and we are reminded to be very careful especially in public settings. Continue to adhere to protocols of mask-wearing, hand hygiene, and social distancing as much as possible when around persons whose status is unknown and in closed settings. As the government continues to plan St. Maarten’s return to normalcy, it is expected that persons will continue to become infected, however, the community must always protect our most vulnerable to avoid serious complications and death.
“I am very happy that my symptoms have been mild thus far, and I’m grateful to be fully boosted. It’s always good to know one’s status to be able to protect others. We all need to continue to monitor ourselves because the mildest of symptoms can mean you have been exposed. Know your status and get vaccinated! The life you save may be your own or your loved ones. As I isolate, rest and recover, I look forward to returning to full functioning by midweek, God’s willing. In the meantime, I will continue to work from home, stated Prime Minister Jacobs.https://www.sxmgovernment.com
For more updates and press statements, please visit the official Prime Minister of St. Maarten Facebook Page. To learn more about the Ministry of General Affairs, please visit www.sintmaartengov.org: https://www.facebook.com/111746263631493/posts/490148052457977/
Today through Sunday morning: East-northeasterly to easterly with a moderate to fresh breeze of 13 to 22 mph, and higher gusts.
SYNOPSIS:
A tight pressure gradient is generating brisk winds and hazardous sea conditions. Patches of low-level clouds transported by the brisk wind flow will account brief passing showers.
Seas are predicted to peak up to 9 feet throughout the weekend. Consequently, small craft operators and sea bathers are advised to continue exercising caution, especially along the northern and eastern shores.
STATE OF THE SEA: Moderate to rough WAVES/SWELLS: 5 to 9 feet
SPECIAL FEATURE: None.
OUTLOOK through Monday morning: Partly cloudy and breezy, becoming cloudy at times with passing showers.
FORECASTER: Pierre
The next weather forecast will be issued today at 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC).
ForecastSpecial Bulletin WEATHER: Today through Sunday morning: Partly cloudy and breezy, becoming occasionally cloudy with brief passing showers.
Princess Juliana Intl Airport Op Company N.V. — Moody’s announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Princess Juliana Intl Airport Op Company N.V.
Announcement of Periodic Review: Moody’s announces completion of a periodic review of ratings of Princess Juliana Intl Airport Op Company N.V.Global Credit Research – 11 Feb 2022New York, February 11, 2022 — Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”) has completed a periodic review of the ratings of Princess Juliana Intl Airport Op Company N.V. and other ratings that are associated with the same analytical unit.
The review was conducted through a portfolio review discussion held on 9 February 2022 in which Moody’s reassessed the appropriateness of the ratings in the context of the relevant principal methodology(ies), recent developments, and a comparison of the financial and operating profile to similarly rated peers.
The review did not involve a rating committee. Since 1 January 2019, Moody’s practice has been to issue a press release following each periodic review to announce its completion.This publication does not announce a credit rating action and is not an indication of whether or not a credit rating action is likely in the near future.
Credit ratings and outlook/review status cannot be changed in a portfolio review and hence are not impacted by this announcement. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history.Key rating considerations are summarized below.
Moody’s views the credit quality of Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company N.V.’s (PJIAE) senior secured notes (Notes) constrained by the strain from the coronavirus pandemic on passenger traffic and PJIAE’s liquidity, which has led it to rely on cash transfers from the Government of St. Maarten (Ba2) to cover its operating expenses.
Supporting the credit profile is the transaction structure that allows for debt service payments to be made with airport departure fees (ADF) revenue before making distributions to PJIAE to cover its operating expenses. Nonetheless, the uncertainty surrounding the degree and timing of the recovery in traffic remains a key credit consideration.As a Government-Related Issuer (GRI), PJIAE’s credit quality incorporate Moody’s assessment of a “high” default dependence on and a “strong” likelihood of potential extraordinary support from the St. Maarten government, which translates into a two-notch uplift from the airport standalone credit profile, as reflected in its Baseline Credit Assessment (BCA) of b3.
This document summarizes Moody’s view as of the publication date and will not be updated until the next periodic review announcement, which will incorporate material changes in credit circumstances (if any) during the intervening period.The principal methodologies used for this review were Privately Managed Airports and Related Issuers published in September 2017 and Government-Related Issuers Methodology published in February 2020. Please see the Rating Methodologies page on www.moodys.com for a copy of these methodologies.This announcement applies only to EU rated, UK rated, EU endorsed and UK endorsed ratings.
Non EU rated, non UK rated, non EU endorsed and non UK endorsed ratings may be referenced above to the extent necessary, if they are part of the same analytical unit.This publication does not announce a credit rating action. For any credit ratings referenced in this publication, please see the ratings tab on the issuer/entity page on www.moodys.com for the most updated credit rating action information and rating history. Adrian Garza Vice President – Senior Analyst Project & Infrastructure Finance Moody’s de Mexico S.A. de C.V Ave. Paseo de las Palmas No. 405 – 502 Col. Lomas de Chapultepec Mexico, DF 11000 Mexico