St. Maarten’s active COVID-19 cases dropped below the 100 mark in the last few days, with recoveries surpassing infections. If the trend continues it may lead to more favourable travel advisories from major tourism markets such as the US, not insignificant ahead of the upcoming high cruise, yacht and stayover seasons.
Extending business hours to 1:00am (see Thursday paper) adds to the destination’s attractiveness, while there is the prospect of QR code control for vaccination or recent testing at nightlife locations to ensure safe access. This and adherence to related measures like face-mask wearing and social distancing elsewhere could go a long way in managing the local health situation.
It is important that visitors from countries not issuing them (yet) are also able to acquire the digital code, including those already here. For incoming passengers this can perhaps even be done as part of the Health Declaration form needed before departure.
The truth is also that many fully vaccinated folks on the island are understandably a bit tired of having to keep taking these safety precautions while they did their part by getting both shots. The QR code system at least offers them the option to party relatively unconcerned inside an enclosed area.
Sure, vaccinated persons can occasionally still get infected, but the chance is much smaller. And if a larger number of people were to follow suit that risk would be greatly mitigated further to the benefit of all.
