SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – Prime minister Mark Rutte has said he made an ‘error of judgment’ in not preventing the royal family’s much-criticised autumn trip to Greece.

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and their three daughters flew back from their Peloponnesian holiday home on Saturday, less than a day after leaving on a government jet.

The holiday was widely condemned in parliament and on social media as it came a few days after Rutte announced a ‘partial lockdown’ to contain a second wave of Covid-19 infections and urged people to avoid non-essential travel.

In a letter to MPs, Rutte said he took full ministerial responsibility for the king’s decision, in keeping with protocol, and regretted not intervening sooner.

He wrote: ‘I realised too late, especially after the press conference of Tuesday, October 12, that the planned holiday, which complied with the regulations, could no longer be squared with the rising infections and more stringent measures.’

The prime minister added that he had not informed health minister Hugo de Jonge of the royal couple’s holiday. De Jonge was caught off guard by questions about the trip at last Friday’s weekly press conference, when he stood in for Rutte.

In a statement released at the weekend, the king and queen said they had cut short their holiday in response to public criticism.

‘We don’t want there to be any doubt: it is crucial to follow the guidelines in order to get Covid-19 under control and discussion about our holiday is not contributing to that,’ they wrote.

(DutchNews)

SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - Despite the drop in COVID-19 cases, the situation on St. Eustatius remains a concern. The Public Entity of St. Eustatius will therefore, prolong certain measures and also implement additional measures in connection with the latest developments related to COVID-19. The measures will be in effect for 14 days. The additional measures are necessary to prevent potential further spreading of COVID-19 and to allow the Public Health Department to conduct thorough and extensive contact tracing and sourcing. The two weeks will also be used to analyze the COVID-19 virus situation on St. Eustatius.

Bars, restaurants and casino’s must be closed for the upcoming 2 weeks. Take out and/or curb side delivery from restaurants is possible. Schools can reopen their doors again with the strong advice to practice all the COVID19 health guidelines to wash hands thoroughly and frequently, to wear facemasks, to adhere to social distancing of 1.5 meters and follow other hygiene measures.

Schools have been closed for a total of 4 weeks; three weeks due to the COVID 19 developments and 1 week due to the October school break.

“Education stakeholders and the Public Entity agree that children are missing out much needed social interaction that the school environment offers. It is also important that after such a long period of distance learning that students return to school where they can benefit more from the face-to-face teacher student interaction”, states Government Commissioner Marnix van Rij.

Schools, Day care Centers and Out of School organizations have all their protocols in place. These will be communicated with parents in the coming days.

The maximum number of persons allowed at social gatherings remains at 15. This measure applies to all types of gatherings and events. This includes gatherings within families, churches etc. which take place both outdoors and indoors.

Shops and supermarkets will remain open, however, the number of persons that can enter the supermarket is limited: maximum 15 for large supermarkets and maximum 10 for small supermarkets and other shops, excluding staff. The social distance of 1.5 and the other hygiene measures are applicable. Loitering outside is prohibited.

Island Council Elections

On the day of the Island Council Elections, Wednesday October 21^st 2020, the maximum number of 15 persons at the polling stations is not applicable. This exception only counts for the two (2) voting bureaus during election day. Persons present at the polling stations must at all times keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the nearest person and must adhere to the standard international hygiene regulations for cleaning and sanitizing.

It is highly recommended that one wear a protective face mask upon entering the voting bureau. Employers are impressed upon to allow their employees to vote during working hours. This is to prevent a rush to the polls after most businesses close at 6.00 pm.

The exemption with regards to the maximum number of 15 persons is also valid for the day and the location of the official elections results on October the

23^rd 2020 as well as on the day and at the location of the installing of the Island Council members, on October 29^th 2020.

COVID- Drive Thru

The Public Health Department will introduce a COVID Drive-Thru at the van Tonningenweg. This enables the Public Health Department to actively investigate if the virus is spread and if yes, how far the virus is spread on the island.

Thus far tests were only taken from patients at home, in quarantine or at the hospital. In order to have a better view how the virus is developing on the island, the Public Health Department will take as many tests as possible with as little exposure of residents and medical state as possible.  More details of the process of the Drive-Thru will be shared tomorrow, Friday October 16^th at 10 am on the radio, during a special edition of Shedding Light, and on Facebook. (Statia GIS)

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY - By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert) - CARIBAVIA has announced that it will hold its annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup conference in June 2021 on St.Maarten. It is not that a Caribbean conference is just for the stakeholders in the region. On the contrary. A Canadian company is involved in infrastructure improvements at several international airports in the region. French and Canadian companies are providing radar and electronic safety systems. The aircraft that are needed to provide airlift in the region are built in North- and South-America as well as in Europe. The largest executive ground handling provider present in the region is an Anglo/American company.

When acquainted with the economy dynamics and the culture of the region, there are definitely opportunities for foreign investment in the region that could be explored and especially in the high-end segment of both aviation and travel industry. It is not wise to judge the region by statistics for “Latin America AND the Caribbean”. The Caribbean has to be seen as a sub-region of its own. Depending on the selected island or territory, there may be a variety of opportunities. That applies to industrial, commercial and private investment occasions as well.

After Europe, the Caribbean is the second-most popular getaway for the wealthiest six percent of all travelers in North America. These are private aviation clients. The region needs to increase this number. On the other side, providers abroad need to reach out and help the region to accommodate this clientele and encourage the growth. If both find each other and cooperate, it will be a win-win situation.

Every passenger arriving on a private aircraft, is a potential investor in the region.

In 2021, special attention at the conference will be given to female aviation and travel professionals. Equality in the industry deserves extraordinary consideration. The industry has brilliant female experts that are outstanding performers. CARIBAVIA intends to highlight these specialists by letting them take the stage and make a presentation for the companies that they work for, or for their own independent activities.

In a spontaneous response from one of the ‘Ladies in Aviation’ who were approached regarding the formatting of the conference, she expressed, “I say go super radical and let us girls take the lead in chairing all the sessions that you do. Plan around our expertise. Any of us who are journalists (or ex journalists) can pretty much research ahead and chair a panel as that is in our DNA. You have pilots, expert marketers and amazing women who run FBOs included in this list. That way if there is another woman or two on the panels so be it. Visibility is key. Even go super-super radical and have all the chairs be women of color, preferably local and get the rest of us to speak across your panels. We have good stuff to say and to offer.”

The conference may not be created quite as super-radical as is called for. CARIBAVIA tends to be a trend setting initiative where it is recognized that many Executive Assistants who are relied upon by executives are female, and often their discrete advice behind the scenes is followed. Woman are very often the frontline workers in the aviation, travel and tourism industries who make things happen. Empowered women are enthusiastic, mindful, purposeful, optimistic, willful, encouraging, respectful, enlightened and dedicated. They have the needed typical characteristics in dealing with matters varying from customer services to management: sensitivity, assertiveness, care, empathy, passion, faith, adaptability, courage, and they have the ability of multi-tasking.

The 2021 CARIBAVIA conference will be unique because of giving special attention to the combination of private and business aviation, courting a high-end clientele, and highlighting the outstanding performance of women. CARIBAVIA is a serious communication platform for aviation and travel professionals that is held in the exotic tropical setting of the Caribbean. For the Caribbean, airlift to the various island destinations is crucial. A relaxing atmosphere just makes it easier for people to communicate. That is why this is the ideal location to discuss all issues around aviation, travel and airlift. To reach the attractive island destinations, flight connections and aircraft charter services are important; airport, FBO, maintenance, fuel supply and other aviation related services are essential.

Some participants may even want to spend an extra weekend in the Caribbean. CARIBAVIA will take place June 15-17, 2021 on St.Maarten, the Friendly Island.

Conference venue. 

SABA (THE BOTTOM) - October 16, 2020 marks the 75th Anniversary of World Food Day and aims to raise awareness on the issues behind poverty and hunger. 2020 also marks the 10th Anniversary of the Meals on Wheels program of the Saba Lions Club.

The COVID-19 global health crisis is a time to reflect on things that we truly cherish. These uncertain times has made the Saba Lions Club even more aware that we must appreciate the one thing that some take for granted: food.

Food is the essence of life and preserving access to safe and nutritious food -especially for the vulnerable citizens of Saba- is an essential part of one of the core projects of the Saba Lions Club. The Meals on Wheels program aims to support approximately 50 vulnerable seniors per day and the program is focussed to keep older Saba citizens safe and nourished in our community.

Especially now, with the uncertainty due to COVID-19, the Meals on Wheels program seems to be needed more than ever! The Meals on Wheels program provides a healthy and diverse diet which contributes to a healthy life.

Whenever they can, the Meals on Wheels chooses locally grown fresh food and also grows vegetables and herbs in their own ‘garden’. Arebella Hassell has been with the program basically since the beginning of the program and the first meals were served on September 13, 2010!

The Saba Lions Club is very grateful that, together with our stakeholders, we have been able to reach the 10th anniversary of the Meals on Wheels program and wish for many more years to come. “In a moment like this”, Lion Carl Buncamper stated, “it is more important than ever to recognise the need to support our stakeholders throughout the food system who are making sure that food makes its way from farm to fork even amid disruptions as unprecedented as the current COVID-19 crisis.”

The Meals on Wheels program is funded by the Public Entity Saba (75%), individual contributors (local and international) as well as by the Saba Lions Club. The Saba Lions Club collaborates with the Saba Health Care Foundation (doctors and nurses), the Community Development Department, and the Benevolent Foundation.

The Saba Lions Club also works closely with the local supermarkets as it relates to supplies. Next to the Meals on Wheels program, the Saba Lions Club also provides monthly food baskets to the vulnerable children of Saba.

The kitchen staff with in the middle Arebella Hassell.