THE HAGUE - The Dutch government will immediately suspend air traffic from Europe to Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Minister Bruno Bruins of Medical Care reported on Saturday evening in a letter to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament.

The flight ban will apply until at least March 27, but there is a chance that the measure will be extended if it proves necessary to combat the COVID-19 virus.

According to Minister Bruins, the situation is such that it is desirable to impose restrictions on air traffic for the islands. The restrictions have been in effect since 20:00 Saturday evening (Dutch local time).

The ban means that passenger flights from, among others, Europe to the airports on Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba are no longer allowed.

Aruba and Curaçao are also taking measures

On Friday, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) gave advice to the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba to adjust air traffic to the Netherlands. Aruba and Curaçao already took measures themselves and halted air traffic. Sint Maarten may also do this.

Freight-only flights are not prohibited, the minister writes.