POND ISLAND --All businesses will be allowed to open on Christmas Day, December 25. Two cruise ships are scheduled to be in Port on that day, bringing some 5,000 cruise passengers.
The exemption to the mandatory shop closure day rules was announced on Tuesday by Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Mellissa Arrindell Doncher. All businesses that choose to open on December 25 must still adhere to all labour regulations.
“In a sense, we are playing catch up in the season to other destinations, so we cannot afford to not take advantages of every opportunity to open and do business,” she said.
“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” said the Minister. Government, Port St. Maarten, merchants, tour operators and other partners have “worked diligently” to ensure that the country is ready in December to welcome cruise visitors.
