— Committee to islands late February — The Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations of the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, in anticipation of its visit to the Dutch Caribbean in February/March, has invited new State Secretary of Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation Alexandra van Huffelen for a meeting on February 15. The Senate Committee during its first …

In February 2022 a follow-up inspection will take place in the Caribbean Netherlands regarding the corona support measures that were carried out from March 2020 through October 2021 by the RCN unit SZW. Through the ‘SZW Emergency Regulation’ and the ‘EZK compensation’ a total of about 98 million EUR of …

Despite the rocky start of the new year, Saba Commissioner of General Affairs Bruce Zagers looks at the future with much optimism. The local economy is recovering, ongoing initiatives continue to be enhanced and several important projects will start this year. “We saw how quickly our economy and private sector …

Two pallets with self-test kits for the schools on Saba arrived on Wednesday, January 19. The COVID-19 self-tests, 10,800 in total, were financed by the Ministry of Public Health, Wellbeing and Sport (VWS) and transported on Royal Dutch Airlines KLM from Amsterdam to St. Maarten on Tuesday, January 18, and …

Dutch min­isters and state secretaries have to limit their visits to the Dutch Caribbean due to the small scale of the islands. This is stated in the manual for members of the Dutch government, the so-called Blue Book, which has been released in connection with the installation of the new …

The Temporary Regulation COVID-19 measures for Bonaire, St. Eusta­tius and Saba have been adapted to secure mea­sures in connection with the surge in infections, such as the wearing of face masks for five days and group restrictions for incoming travellers. The adapted regu­lation, submitted by Dutch Minister of Public Health, …

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of St. Eustatius and Saba has welcomed two new board members as of January 11. In that meet­ing Hemmie van Xanten was appointed as chamber president and Leonieke Zuidam as vice-president. Glen Pileo, Jamilla Bennett-Lijfrock and Vaughn Sams are board members. Following the rules …

The Netherlands Nation­al Institute of Public Health and the Environ­ment RIVM on Friday reported that a total of 14,064 persons in the Dutch Caribbean re­ceived a positive coro­navirus COVID-19 test result in the week of January 6-12. This is more than the RIVM stated in its previ­ous epidemiological re­port of …

The Dutch Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport VWS is assisting with additional healthcare personnel, coronavirus COVID-19 test material and the booster vaccination campaign. New Minister of VWS Ernst Kuipers stated this in an extensive letter to the Dutch Parliament with a general update on the COVID-19 situation. The …

Message from the principal SCS: To parent(s)/guardian(s), students and other stakeholders of the Saba Comprehensive School St. John’s, January 14, 2022 Re: Re-opening of the school Dear parent(s)/guardian(s), students and other stakeholders, Earlier this week the SCS Team was informed by the Outbreak Management Team that schools will resume and …