WILLEMSTAD – The Ministers of Justice and Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning have announced temporary traffic restrictions in downtown Willemstad in connection with the opening of Curaçao’s 2026/2027 parliamentary year.
The measures will apply on Sunday, September 7, during preparations and rehearsals, and on Monday, September 8, when the official opening ceremony will take place. According to the decree, the restrictions are intended to ensure public order, traffic safety and the orderly conduct of the events.
From 12:00 a.m. Sunday until the end of the rehearsal and preparations, motor vehicles will not be allowed to park at several locations around the city center. These include Hendrikplein, Breedestraat in Punda near the former Koko Loko area, and parts of Waterfortstraat near Plaza Hotel.
Parking will also be prohibited during this period at locations designated for official vehicles near Plaza di Gobernador and in areas around the entrance to Fort Amsterdam. Restrictions will additionally apply around De Tempel and parking areas near the Pietermaai side of Wilhelminaplein.
From 4:00 a.m. Monday, September 8, motorized traffic will face additional restrictions in the area surrounding Wilhelminaplein and the Parliament building.
Traffic will not be permitted to enter the Wilhelminaplein area from the Pietermaai side, while access from Handelskade toward Hendrikplein will also be restricted. The decree additionally prohibits traffic from entering Wilhelminaplein from Keukenstraat and from passing through several streets in the immediate vicinity of the ceremonial area.
The measures are connected to the formal opening of the parliamentary year, which traditionally involves official ceremonies in the center of Willemstad and requires additional security and traffic management.
Authorities are asking motorists and other road users to follow all instructions from police officers and traffic officials during the restrictions.
The decree states that the measures may be immediately adjusted or suspended if police determine that changes are necessary in the interest of public order, safety or the free flow of traffic.
The temporary measures were signed on September 3 by Justice Minister Shalten Hato and Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning Minister Charles Cooper.