COCI, Ministry VSA and Ministry TEATT Collaborate in providing further information about COVID-19 Mitigation Policies

SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) – In an effort to continue informing the general public and especially the business community as well as to curb the miscommunication between employers and employees as it pertains to the protocols related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry has collaborated with the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) and the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) to once again present the protocols to the business community and the general public. In particular, Collective Prevention Services (CPS) identified a gap in information as it pertains to COVID policies surrounding employees returning to work. This concern was brought forward and COCI felt the need to collaborate with both ministries to address this. As a result, a flyer was developed with the aim of providing clarity in a simple and straightforward manner. The flyer, which addresses amongst others, the misconception that it is mandatory for employees who have been in contact with a COVID-19 patient to present a negative COVID-19 test before returning to their place of employment, which, within the protocols established by Collective Prevention Service (CPS) Ministry VSA, is not mandatory. On the contrary, once an employee has been identified via contact tracing efforts as having had contact with a COVID-19 person, they are to be quarantined for a minimum of fourteen days from the date of last contact, during which time they will be monitored by CPS. If after this period, they do not exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, they should then be allowed to return to work. CPS’ testing strategy is to test persons who display signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 with the aim of finding active cases and prompt source and contact tracing. The flyer will form part of the ongoing COVID-19 awareness campaign and will be published in the media and distributed to the business community to display in their establishments. The Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to take this opportunity to again remind and advise the business community that adherence to the COVID-19 protocol should be adopted as much as possible since the survival of your business also depends on the health of your employees and customers. The Ministry of VSA, through CPS, will continue to inform the community on vigilance and implore the community to be aware of the protocols and safety measures to assist in achieving a COVID-19 free society. The Ministry of TEATT will continue inspection in an efficient manner, so as to ensure the protocols and measures are adhered to by civil society. The Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry is asking business owners/ operators who would like this information to be displayed in your place of business to contact COCI to reserve these flyers and posters. COCI remains committed to assisting where needed in the fight against COVID-19.