WILLEMSTAD - The government announced that a new national decree emitted on May 6 introduces an easing of the entry ban. The decision will take effect tomorrow May 8.

There are certain requirements to be able to enter Curaçao during this time of the COVID-19 crisis. The following persons may then enter Curaçao: persons from Curaçao who are studying abroad; who are in dire circumstances and to whom permission has been granted on request.

Persons who want to settle permanently in Curaçao and who have deregistered from the basic administration of their country of residence before March 16, 2020 may also travel to the island "in phases". Finally, this also applies to residents.

Incidentally, it is added that these exempted groups may not travel indefinitely, because both the local care capacity and the capacity of the quarantine or isolation facility are limited. Because, according to the national decree, these persons are allowed to enter under the condition that they stay in quarantine for two weeks at a place designated by the government.

“The costs associated with the temporary isolation in the mandatory quarantine or isolation facility are for the account of the person - or his/her relatives, guardian or caregiver in case the person is a minor - who enters Curaçao, unless this person of these costs is excluded. "

Various considerations underlie this easing. For example, it has been mentioned that since the last extension of the entry ban, the number of detected infections has not increased further. Although the dangers have not yet subsided, an easing of the entry ban is possible, "on the understanding that persons exempt from the entry ban are subject to stricter medical protocols and quarantine measures."