Phase 2 Risk Level for Bonaire.
In a press conference this morning, Lieutenant Governor Edison Rijna expressed his satisfaction with the steadily low active cases of Covid-19 and the continued success of the vaccination program. He further announced that Bonaire will downgrade to Phase 2 risk level for the next four weeks.
Here is a transcript of Lt. Governor Rijna’s speech.
Today I have good news again. The number of active cases of Covid-19 is still steadily low. We currently have 18 active cases. To date, 10,824 of the nearly 19,000 individuals have been fully vaccinated and 13,855 people who received the first shot. This means that 73.1% were vaccinated with the first injection and 57.1% were fully vaccinated.
I am happy to see that more and more people are continuing to sign up for vaccination. All this means that we can also relax further in the future. Starting today, we will move to risk level 2, that is, level worrying, for a period of four weeks, starting today, May 27 through Thursday, June 24.
These are the most important changes: From today, the beach is allowed. Restaurants, gyms, churches, saunas, casinos, and cinemas are allowed to run at normal capacity again. They must take into account a distance of one and a half meters between persons and households. The advice to work from home as much as possible is no longer valid.
It remains important to avoid large crowds and avoid being in a space where there is no fresh air with many people. Don’t forget that the virus is still on the island. We must not allow the virus to spread. The advice is still to stay at home in case of complaints and to get tested.
A number of exceptions have been made in risk level 2. From now on, sports are possible with an audience. The public is allowed up to 50% of the venue’s capacity. In this way, we ensure that no large groups of people come together.
From today it is also allowed to dance and sing, but only outside, in the open air. You can view all measures on our website bonairecrisis.com.
A number of conditions for entry are also changing. Soon it will be possible to take an antigen test upon arrival at the airport. This means that more international flights can come to Bonaire. For example, we can finally receive flights from America again. The first flights will arrive next week on June 5.
From 1 June, the central quarantine will expire. We will switch to home quarantine if the home situation permits. After 5 days a test can be done at Public Health. If it is negative, one may be taken out of quarantine. Quarantine remains mandatory for passengers from countries with a very high risk.
Last Tuesday, a new law was passed in the Senate. This makes it possible to distinguish in policy between people who are fully vaccinated and people who are not fully vaccinated. It means that we can also make a distinction when entering. We start with a distinction when entering from Curaçao and Aruba. From June 1, someone from Curaçao and Aruba can come to Bonaire without a test if that person is fully vaccinated. You are fully vaccinated if you have had two corona shots and you have had the second shot more than two weeks ago. Curaçao is currently investigating whether they can also introduce this measure for passengers from Bonaire who travel to those islands.
As I said, there are many positive developments on Bonaire. We have achieved this thanks to your cooperation and commitment. I hope it keeps going like this. I end with the following appeal: stick to the measures, get tested for complaints, and get vaccinated.
(Source: OLB)
