WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Rhuggehaath has announced this morning that Curaçao is entering a new phase in the fight against the coronavirus. Phase 3 is necessary to protect the population and prevent further escalation. This will apply for the next 3 weeks.

The government is looking as much as possible for a balanced way of making the measures more stringent and at the same time protecting the economy as much as possible.

At the end of last week, there was an increase in the number of cases. Now Curaçao must scale up to phase 3 to protect the most vulnerable, care capacity must be monitored and the pressure on public order must be taken into account.

Agglomeration in public places of more than 4 people is no longer allowed. Restaurants and bars can stay open until 10 pm. Truk di pan (BBQ stands) may be open from 5 to 10 pm.

The government will impose a curfew starting September 17. No one is allowed on the street after 11 pm until 5 am. Authorities can again apply for an exemption. That application takes 72 hours to apply.

The government is asking people to stay in after 11 pm now. “That will affect the economy, but I want to remind you that we are in a crisis”.

Rhuggenaath makes a serious appeal to the population to comply with the measures. “If we look at the numbers, we are not done with the virus yet. If you must go somewhere, do it and return home as quickly as possible.”