WILLEMSTAD - Details were still sketchy on Curaçao’s intention to close its border to St. Maarten due to the spike in coronavirus there. When this was first suggested by epidemiologist Dr. Izzy Gerstenbluth on Friday there were 18 recent infections, but by Sunday afternoon this had doubled to 36.

Curaçao Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath said no decision had yet been made, but that they would follow the medical expert’s advice. The latter spoke of not allowing “free entry” to passengers coming from Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).

Observers in Philipsburg consider completely banning traffic between the two islands rather drastic. They point out that Curaçao itself, but also Aruba, Bonaire and even St. Eustatius have reported new cases.

However, the difference is that in those instances it regarded mainly travelers already isolated pending the result of their test taken on arrival. In St. Maarten there appears to be another local outbreak, which is much harder to control.