Latest Update on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) from Bonaire.
As of April 28th, there are no active cases on Bonaire.
In the twice-weekly press conference this past Tuesday, Bonaire’s Lt. Governor, Edison Rijna, addressed the community with the latest update on COVID-19. The text of his speech is provided in full below.
As usual, I would like to start by listing the current figures for COVID-19. To date, a total of 230 have been tested: this resulted in 2 positive tests and 228 negative. The 2 persons who were tested positive, are cured. Currently, 96 persons are in quarantine, including the first group of returnees who, if all goes well, can go home next Friday.
It is a fact that Bonaire has been spared: the Corona virus has not spread extensively on our island. Many people have worked hard to achieve this, both in the medical and other sectors. In addition, the behavior of most people has also contributed enormously to what has been achieved so far. For example, people who immediately kept to quarantine when told to do so. Two weeks without contact with other people and without being able to live a normal life, is not easy.
But all people on Bonaire have made this sacrifice. Together we all continued to join forces to protect ourselves and our family. Let us stick to the rules and let’s keep each other accountable to follow them.
Preparations are already being made to repatriate the second group of returnees to Bonaire. I will announce the exact date for this later. A request has also been made to the Minister of I & W to extend the closure of international air traffic until 15 May.
Given that no one has tested positive for the Coronavirus in recent days and this remains so, I can announce next Friday in what form the current emergency measures can be mitigated. This includes opening schools and sports facilities in a controlled and gradual manner.
In my speech last Friday, I called on all residents of Bonaire to celebrate the Day of Rincon in a family circle, taking into account the prescribed rules regarding social distance and no more than 50 people together.
Unfortunately, I heard that not everyone adhered to these rules last weekend. In the Rincon district, for example, many people were packed together. Once again I make an urgent appeal to everyone. Adhere to the rules to protect yourself and your family. Only if we adhere to the rules, also during the celebrations of this weekend, we can consider mitigating the emergency measures.
Together against Corona.
View the press conference (provided in Papiamentu and Dutch) providing the latest update on COVID-19 from Bonaire.
Further information from the Central Dialogue on the latest update of COVID-19.
Together we will get through the corona crisis.
The parties participating in the Central Dialogue have set up two working groups: one examines the measures taken by the government to alleviate the social and economic effects of the corona crisis and the other focuses on the period in which it is responsible from a public health perspective to get the economy going again.
The Central Dialogue, the consultation platform of the Chamber of Commerce, ROW, USIBO, and the local government, meets 8 times a year under normal circumstances. Because of the major impact of the corona crisis on Bonairean society, it was decided to meet more often (with due observance of all precautions, such as keeping a meter and a half distance). Since the first meeting devoted to the corona crisis on March 12th, the parties have met again twice.
The Central Dialogue appreciates the enormous efforts of the Island Policy Team (EBT). Everything indicates that sufficient measures have been taken in time to protect public health. In the meantime, the Executive Council focuses on the possibilities to minimize the social and economic consequences. The government cannot do this alone. Central Dialogue plays an important role by bringing together not only knowledge but also a great deal of practical experience from all those involved. An integrated approach is required at this time. “Everyone is convinced that in this special time it is more necessary than ever to work together. Only with each other, by joining forces, will we get through this as an island well, “said Deputy of Economic Affairs Elvis Tjin Asjoe who temporarily took over the chairmanship of the CD while Jan Willem van den Braak is in the European Netherlands.
The first of the working groups set up analyzes how the support measures already taken, work out in practice, and whether adjustments or additions are needed. Public health is paramount for the Central Dialogue, but once medical experts consider it justified to restart the economy, it is important to be well prepared. The second working group, therefore, looks at scenarios for when the restrictive measures (such as the entry ban) are scaled back.
(Source: STINAPA)
