Bonaire downgrades risk level measures further to Phase 3.
In a press conference yesterday afternoon, Lt. Governor Edison Rijna expressed his satisfaction and thanked the people of Bonaire for their continued support in combating the COVID-19 virus here on Bonaire. He further announced that Bonaire will downgrade its risk level to Phase 3 for the next two weeks.
Here is a transcript of Lt. Governor Rijna’s speech.
Today on International Nursing Day, I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who works in nursing. You have shown how valuable your contribution to society is. The work you are doing, especially in the year that we have completed, has turned out to be very important for our society.
Now that the number of people infected with Covid-19 has dropped to 10 people, and no people with Covid have been hospitalized, we can further relax the measures. We’ve been in risk level 4 for three weeks. We’ve seen the numbers slowly fall and become stable. That is why I have made the decision to move to phase 3 risk level now. This phase lasts for two weeks. After two weeks, we will review what needs to be done. We have to remain cautious, because in recent days we see that people are still testing positive for Covid-19.
Risk level 3 means, among other things, that bars, restaurants and casinos can remain open until a later time. Going to risk level 3 does not mean that we can pretend that the Covid period is over. We note that many people still come together in large groups, such as for Mother’s Day, at illegal parties at home, or on the beach. This puts us in danger of the virus continuing to spread. That is why I make a serious appeal to everyone to avoid gathering in large groups.
On the other hand, I am happy to see that more and more people have now been vaccinated. 68% received at least the first corona injection. It is important to also get the second corona injection, because it is precisely the vaccine that is now our rescue from the corona crisis.
Starting May 19, travel advice with the color code yellow applies to Bonaire. The Netherlands regards Bonaire as a low risk island. Passengers from Bonaire who travel to the Netherlands no longer need to be tested and are not advised to go into quarantine. On the other hand, the Netherlands remains a high-risk country for Bonaire. That is why the tests that must be done when traveling to Bonaire are maintained.
In the Dutch parliament, two laws have been passed that are relevant to Bonaire. These laws can also set different rules for people who are vaccinated and people who are not vaccinated who want to travel to Bonaire. More information will be provided later on for which countries these new rules will apply. I can already tell you that soon we want to introduce that you may travel to Bonaire from our sister islands without a test and vice versa if you are fully vaccinated. The law also makes it possible, among other things, that passengers can take the antigen test upon arrival in Bonaire. This makes it easier for airlines in the United States to fly passengers to Bonaire. Our hope is that they will start flights to our island soon.
Remember to take good care of yourself and stick to the measures, if you have symptoms, get tested and get vaccinated.
(Source: OLB)
