POND ISLAND--Businesses on the Dutch side of the island have been given leave by government to open their doors on the last two mandatory shop closure days of 2018 and the first one of 2019. All businesses are allowed to open on Sunday, November 11, – St. Martin/St. Maarten Day.
Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Stuart Johnson stated in the public notice about the exemption to the law that this is “a means to promote economic activity through St. Maarten in these extraordinary times.” He referred to the extraordinary times as the aftermath and impact on the economy of 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Businesses can open on December 25, Christmas Day, and on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2019.
All businesses that choose to open on any or all of the closure exemption days “must adhere to all labour regulations” as prescribed by law, according to the notice.
