Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean
- December 11, 2025
The November Chikungunya Case on Saba was a false positive
Following additional laboratory testing conducted in the Netherlands, the previously reported case has been confirmed as a false positive. False positives can occur in infectious disease diagnostics, and Public Entity Saba appreciates the cooperation of all partners involved in verifying the results. There are currently no confirmed active cases of Chikungunya on Saba. In light of this correction, Public Entity Saba also notes that the island is experiencing an expected seasonal increase in respiratory illnesses, including colds and flu. While this rise is typical for this time of year, the community is reminded to take simple preventive steps to help reduce the spread of infection. Residents are encouraged to: Stay home when feeling unwell Wash hands regularly with soap and water Cover coughs and sneezes Keep frequently touched surfaces clean Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or do not improve Public Health will continue to closely monitor disease activity and will provide updates as needed. The community’s ongoing cooperation remains essential in protecting those most vulnerable to seasonal illnesses. For questions, please contact the Public Health Department at publichealth@sabagov.nl.
- December 10, 2025
Saba Island Council Delegation Meets Key Dutch Institutions and Celebrates 50th Saba Day in the Netherlands
A delegation of the Saba Island Council is in the Netherlands from December 8–16, 2025 for a series of strategic meetings and events focused on strengthening governance, deepening Kingdom relations, and celebrating Saba’s cultural heritage. The delegation will meet with major institutions—including the Second Chamber, the Council of State, and the Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG)—to discuss strategic budgeting, council workflow improvements, public affairs, media engagement, integrity, and the use of emerging technologies such as AI. From December 9–11, the Council will participate in the 36th Inter-Expo Conference, themed “Fifteen Years After 10/10/10.” The event marks the 15th anniversary of the constitutional reforms and brings together leaders from across the Kingdom to discuss future perspectives, fiscal autonomy, and evolving governance roles. Prime Ministers from Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten—as well as former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende—are among the prominent attendees, alongside stakeholders from politics, business, academia, and international organizations. The congress provides an important platform for reflection on Kingdom relations since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, fostering dialogue and cooperation between Caribbean and Dutch partners. While in the Netherlands, the delegation will also host the 50th Anniversary of Saba Day – Netherlands Edition on December 13 in The Hague, bringing together Sabans, partners, and friends to celebrate Saba’s heritage and community. The program concludes with a training session on December 15 dedicated to enhancing council effectiveness and long-term strategic planning. This visit reaffirms Saba’s commitment to good governance, collaboration, and continued strengthening of ties within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. PES
- December 10, 2025
Saba Showcases Island to U.S. Media and European Travel Agents
The Saba Tourist Bureau welcomed prominent U.S. media and European travel professionals throughout November as part of a strategic effort to raise the island’s international profile and strengthen tourism partnerships. Working with U.S. public relations partner Diamond PR, the bureau hosted two award-winning journalists—one contributing to Condé Nast Traveler and the other to Travel + Leisure and Afar. The Condé Nast Traveler writer immersed herself in Saba’s world-class hiking trails, with coverage set to appear in both the print and digital editions of the magazine. The second journalist explored the island’s hiking and diving experiences and is preparing to pitch an island-hopping feature including Saba. The Tourist Bureau also collaborated with Dutch PR agency Hopscotch Tourism to host ABC Travel x KLM agents, who visited Saba for the first time. Their itinerary included visits to major attractions, an island tour, and a site inspection of the soon-to-open Scenery Hotel, one of Saba’s most anticipated new accommodations. Additionally, Swiss agents from Dive and Travel toured the island and key properties as they consider expanding their existing Saba offerings. Both groups praised Saba’s unique appeal and its standout position as a distinctive Caribbean destination. “Media visits and familiarization trips are essential for ensuring accurate and inspiring representation of Saba,” the Saba Tourist Bureau stated. “When travel professionals experience the island firsthand, they become true ambassadors who can share Saba’s charm and natural beauty with authenticity.” The Tourist Bureau thanked all partners and stakeholders for their support in making these initiatives a success. PES
The Public Entity Saba has officially signed the contract for the construction of the new Gym and Technical Center in St. John’s with Antillean Construction Management (ACM). This milestone marks a major step forward in expanding educational and recreational opportunities for Saba’s youth. Following a comprehensive tender and bidding process, ACM, a local contractor with extensive experience managing major construction projects on the island, was selected to lead the development. Several local subcontractors will also participate in the work. The School Campus has been designed by Lyongo Architecture, a Caribbean-Dutch firm with a strong track record on Saba and across the region. Construction of both buildings is scheduled to begin in February 2026 and is expected to take approximately 18 months. Modern Facilities to Support Education and Skills Development The new Technical School will be a four-story building that includes a large storage area, two theory classrooms, and two spacious workshop rooms on the upper floors. Once completed, the Technical Center currently located in Cove Bay will relocate to this new facility. Each level of the building will feature an outdoor garden space to support hands-on lessons in gardening and sustainability. A signature red roof will connect the design to traditional Saban architectural heritage. The structure will be elevated to allow for parking beneath the building, and a lift system will enable materials to be transported from the storage level to the workshop floors. The Technical Center is funded by the Ministry of OCW. New Gym Designed for Comfort, Performance, and Community Use The new gym will be constructed on the site of the former gym, where demolition has already been completed. The remaining debris will be cleared shortly. The facility will feature exposed wood elements for a warm ambiance and improved acoustics, lightweight façade panels, generous windows for natural light and ventilation, and climate-controlled systems for a healthy indoor sports environment. Students will contribute to decisions regarding the final design of the rooftop level, ensuring the new gym reflects the needs and ideas of its future users. The gym is funded by the Ministry of VWS and the Public Entity, with additional co-financing partners. Commitment to Sustainability For both buildings, the Public Entity has received dedicated grants from the Ministry of BZK to implement sustainability measures. These include green landscaping, water-reuse systems, shaded outdoor areas, and designs that ensure easy access for maintenance. PES
The public entities of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, together with the Dutch Ministries of VWS, JenV, OCW, SZW, and BZK, have signed a new Administrative Agreement 2026–2029 to prevent and combat violence against women, domestic violence, and child abuse in the Caribbean Netherlands. The agreement strengthens the joint commitment to creating a safe and equal society. It focuses on improving prevention, early detection, intervention, and support, while enhancing coordination between the islands and the national government. Measures include closer cooperation among support organizations, establishing a knowledge center for professionals, and developing new training programs for both citizens and professionals. In addition, Leiden University, in partnership with the islands and VWS, will begin a research project on sexual violence and sexually inappropriate behavior. State Secretary Tielen emphasized the importance of collective action: violence has far-reaching consequences for victims and society, including trauma, school or work dropout, and pressure on informal caregivers. She stressed that tackling this complex issue requires collaboration across sectors, including law enforcement, healthcare, and education. In recent years, the islands have already made significant progress, including the creation of reporting centers for domestic violence and child abuse, the establishment of women’s shelters, professional training initiatives, and public awareness campaigns. The new agreement builds on these efforts and represents another step toward enabling the ratification of the Istanbul Convention in the Caribbean Netherlands. RCN
- December 9, 2025
Saba Day celebration in The Hague – December 13
CBS reports that over 80 percent of school students in the Caribbean Netherlands want to live somewhere else after they finish secondary education. Exploring the world, studying abroad or working elsewhere are the reasons that were mentioned the most often. Around a quarter of school students do not enjoy life on the islands. On Bonaire in particular, the number of young people has been falling since 2011 – and this trend is likely to continue over the next decade. In 2024, 91 percent of students on Saba and St Eustatius aged under 18 in secondary (vocational) education said they want to leave the island and live elsewhere. On Bonaire, the share was 81 percent. A total of 56 percent of school students on Bonaire who plan to leave the island said they want to travel and explore other countries. On Saba, the share was nearly 60 percent and on St Eustatius it was 45 percent. Over 40 percent of school students on Bonaire want to continue their education elsewhere Among school students on Bonaire aged under 18 in secondary education, 42 percent want to continue their education, but this will mean leaving the island. Among students on Saba and St Eustatius, the percentage was 53 percent and 48 percent, respectively. The majority of the students who intend to remain on the islands want to find a job or start their own business. A minority indicates that they do not know yet. Compared to 2020, students on Bonaire were more likely to indicate that they want to work or start their own business there. On Saba, students were slightly less likely than in 2020 to want to start their own business and were more likely not to have any future plans yet. Most students say they receive good advice about their future plans Making plans for the future and moving to another country are major decisions, and good advice can help young people to make the right choices. In 2024, 79 percent of students on Bonaire agreed with the statement ‘I have received good advice about making plans for my future’. The percentages for Saba and St Eustatius were almost the same. On all three islands, 5 percent or less disagreed with the statement. The share of young people in the Caribbean Netherlands is on a general downward trend. In 2011, a quarter of Bonaire’s population was aged under 20, while in 2025 this was 21 percent. According to the latest population forecast, only 18 percent of the population will be aged under 20 in 2035. On St Eustatius, the proportion of young people in the total population is declining less rapidly. In 2011, a quarter of the population was aged under 20, and this share is expected to be slightly lower in 2035 (23 percent). On Saba, 21 percent of the population was aged under 20 in 2011. That is expected to be 17 percent in 2035. CBS
