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Travel Restrictions In Effect For Abc Islands Effective Monday April 5Th

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richard Panneflek hereby informs the public that effective Monday April 5, travel restrictions from the ABC islands to St Maarten will go into effect.

Considering the regional epidemiology and consequent likelihood of imported cases from highly concentrated pools of the UK variant (B.1.1.7), together with the absence of systematic nationwide genetic surveillance on Sint Maarten, CPS recommends temporary border closures to Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, effective immediately.

CPS would review the situation on each island on a 2-weekly basis.

Returning residents from Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba will be required to hold a negative 72-hour PCR test Read more

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Government To Establish Inter-Ministerial Covenant To Tackle Immigration Loopholes

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — On Friday 27th, 2021, the Ministries of Justice, VSA and TEATT met to lay the foundation of establishing a working agreement or covenant to tackle the various loopholes used to defraud the system to acquire certain things like residency permits. Ministers support staff and relevant department heads engaged in a highly-anticipated meeting to identify issues within the labor and immigration system that allows persons coming to the island to abuse the system and acquire residency.

The meeting served to introduce certain talking points and discuss the way forward with the intention of developing a joint covenant between all three Ministries that will tackle many aspects such as the employment-related immigration matters from the Ministry of Public Health, Labor and Social Development (VSA) and the abuse of the Business Directors License from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) to acquire residency.

A covenant was first created in 2020, between the Minister of Justice and the Minister of VSA to cooperate on issues affecting both the labor and immigration systems Read more

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Minister Of Vsa Conducts Work Visit To Fire And Ambulance Department

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday, March 26, 2021, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richard Panneflek and his staff had a working visit at the Fire and Ambulance department in Cay Hill.

In collaboration with RAV Brabant MWN and the Ambulance Service SXM, instructors Rudy Verschuren, Harm Verbeeten, Lianne van Driel and Ruud Verhalle trained in scenario education.The unique aspect of the training was the collaboration with all parties, police, fire brigade, Dutch Marines and Dispatch.

Today was the last exercise of the week in which all parties showed their skills to ultimately provide good patient care Read more

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20 Women Honored On Iwd For Exemplary Work In Their Community

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) Womens Desk, a division within Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) in collaboration with Prominent Women, honored 20 women on March 8, International Womens Day (IWD) who have done exemplary work in the community especially during the COVID 19 lock down.

The #ChooseToChallenge event was empowering, filled with laughter and cheer, enjoyed by all, and was well attended.

Considering the COVID-19 guidelines, the celebration was somewhat restricted/downscaled in an attempt to conduct the event efficiently as possible.

As such the following women were honored in the presence of the Minister of VSA, Richard Panneflek, a few guests, and the organizing committee.

The honorees were,
Ms Read more

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Minister Ludmila De Weever Announces Use Of All Fda Approved Antigen Rapid Tests For Usa & Canadian Passengers

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — After consultation and approval of Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richard Panneflek, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications, Ludmila de Weever, is very happy to announce a move that will surely assist in increasing our tourist numbers and airline load factors.

As of February 17, 2021 passengers arriving from the United States of America and Canada can use all FDA approved rapid antigen tests for travel to Sint Maarten.
This includes those antigen tests with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as well.
This does not include At Home Tests.

“This is a huge boost to our tourism sector and that confidence in our island isdemonstrated even more when we see expansion of our airline service routes, such as the announcement by American Airlines for the service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Sint Maarten to commence in June 2021 Read more

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Emmanuel Questions Absence OfSmmc Director, Generic Medication

~ Also queries new hospital alliance ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Wednesday sent a letter with several questions to Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek regarding management at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) and seeking details about the new formed Dutch Caribbean Hospital Alliance Read more

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Ask The Experts About The Covid-19 Vaccine In A Facebook Livestream On Thursday Evening

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 Vaccine will be brought to you by several public health experts during a panel discussion on Thursday evening at 7.00 PM.

The session will be available via a Facebook Livestream organized by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA), Collective Prevention Services (CPS).

The Facebook Livestream panel discussion will be opened by Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek Read more

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Establishment Of Hospital Cooperative Dutch Caribbean Hospital Alliance A Reality

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Health, Environment and Nature of Curaao, Zita Jesus Leito, the Minister of Tourism, Health and Sports of Aruba, Danguillaume Oduber, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Affairs of St. Maarten, Richard Panneflek and the State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport, Paul Blokhhuis, have officially approved the establishment of a cooperative association between the medical institutions in the islands Curaao, Aruba, St Read more

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Cps Commences With Stakeholder Covid-19 Vaccine Information Sessions

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) this week commenced with its trajectory of informing various communities about the COVID-19 vaccine and the National Vaccination Implementation Strategy.

The first information session took place with representatives of the Haitian Community on Tuesday evening at the Government Administration Building. The session was held under strict social distancing guidelines.

The community leaders were provided with a presentation about the COVID-19 vaccine; how the rollout will take place on Sint Maarten; and there was also a Question & Answer segment at the end of the session.

Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek was also present for the information session Read more

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First Deliveries Of Covid-19 Vaccines Around The 15Th Of February To The Caribbean Part Of The Kingdom

BES Islands — The Caribbean part of the Kingdom is on track to start vaccinating against COVID-19 around the 15th of February 2021, just as planned. The RIVM is preparing the first shipments of vaccines. For Saba and St. Eustatius it concerns the first delivery of the Moderna vaccine. For Bonaire Curaao, Aruba and St. Maarten, this first phase concerns vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer.

Hard work

Minister Zita Jesus-Leito (Curaao), Minister Danguillaume Oduber (Aruba), Minister Richard Panneflek (Sint-Maarten) and State Secretary Paul Blokhuis (the Netherlands), have jointly confirmed in their four-country consultation that they want to offer the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to all adults in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom Read more

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Minister Panneflek: No New Variants Of The Covid-19 VirusIn St Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA), Richard Panneflek would hereby like to inform the public of the new variants of the COVID-19 virus circulating around the world. Three of these new variants have shown to be more infectious than the original COVID-19 strains and have originated from South Africa, Brazil, and the United Kingdom Read more

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Transitional Shelter Program In Sucker Garden Renewed

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA), Richard Panneflek is elated to announce that the transitional shelter program has been extended for one year. A public bidding process will also be underway to ensure a contract for 2 to 3 years is established in line with transparency and good governance.

By securing the contract for a year, the Ministry of VSA along with the Dr Read more

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Covid Update: On December 28, Cps Confirm The 27Th Covid-19 Death, Panneflek Extends His Deepest Sympathy

10 COVID-19 recoveries today

PHILIPSBURG The Honorable Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labour (VSA) Richard Panneflek extends his deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 27th Covid-19 victim, who passed away. He wishes the family peace and strength during their time of bereavement.

As of December 28th; the number of confirmed cases remains at one thousand four hundred and eleven (1411) due to pending results from testing done yesterday.Ten (10) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to eighty six (86).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring eighty two (82) people in home isolation Read more

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Public Holiday, Carnival Day April 30Th 2020 To Be Celebrated On Monday, December 28Th 2020

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richard Panneflek hereby informs the public that the Council of Ministers has agreed to celebrate the National Public Holiday known as Carnival Day, which was on Thursday, April 30th 2020 on Monday, December 28th 2020.

Minister Panneflek wishes all a safe and Happy Holidays Read more

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Cps To Pilot Antigen Tests On Monday December 21

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA), Richard Panneflek hereby informs the public that Collective Prevention Services (CPS) will be offering a drive through community testing pilot in Point Blanche at the lot before the harbor from 10 AM – 12 PM on Monday 21 December.

The pilot antigen testing campaign is for: persons experiencing signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and persons who have been in close contact with a confirmed case and not already registered by CPS Read more

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Ambulance Department Announces The Implementation Of Medical Priority Dispatch System

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — The Central Dispatch Center is excited to announce the recently implemented Advanced Medical Priority Dispatch version 13.3 of the Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) from the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) better to serve the citizens of St. Maarten in medical emergencies.

Ambulance dispatchers using the newly implemented protocol system:

* will follow internationally recognized standards

* give universal, consistent care and service to every caller

* gather critical emergency call information for responders

* identify life-threatening situations

* safely prioritize calls for appropriate and fast response

* provide Zero Minute Dispatch Life Support using Pre-Arrival

and Post-Dispatch Instructions

Implementing the medical protocol enables dispatchers to accurately assess each emergency and send the best response possible while safeguarding valuable and limited emergency services resources and increasing safety for both citizens and responders.

A key benefit of our Central Dispatch Center will now provide a constant stream of crucial and updated scene information in an organized manner to field responders en-route Read more

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Mp Buncamper Questions Minister Of Vsa On Illegal Dismissals.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament (MP) of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) Claudius Toontje Buncamper on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 posed a number of questions to theMinister of labor, Richard Panneflek, in regards to the number of resent complaints by employees of illegal dismissals taking place by employers.

The MP stated in his letter to the minister that As a result of the challenges we face from COVID-19, the country is now confronted with numerous complaints oflabor abuse against employees of a number of companies such as Little Switzerland and the Towers at Mullet Bay, just to name two.

The employees complaints amount primarily to not being dismissed and still not being paid Read more

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Covid Update: December 3 5, 2020

DECEMBER 5, 2020 UPDATE:19 confirmed COVID-19 cases today

PHILIPSBURG As of December 5th, there were nineteen (19) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however there was a recovery rate of ten (10) persons; bringing the total active cases to ninety- six (96). The total number of confirmed cases is now one thousand one hundred and thirty- nine (1139).

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring ninety- two (92) people in home isolation. Four (4) patients are currently hospitalized at the St Read more

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Minister Of Vsa And Ecys Support Pjiae With Pavilion For Arrival Terminal Expansion

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday November 13th, Minister of VSA, Richard Panneflek and Minister of ECYS drs. Rodolphe Samuel signed a use agreement regarding the use of a mobile pavilion owned by Country, St Read more

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Home Repairs Continue, Enters Into Accelerated Pace

Philipsburg Now firmly in its third phase, the Private Home Repair Program of the Sint Maarten Trust Fund is steadily moving along with repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. It is anticipated that when the program wraps up in mid-2021, repairs to the roofs, doors, and windows of approximately 200 private homes will be completed. To date, fifty-one homes have been finalized and another ten homes are slated to be done before the years end.

The pilot project and minor works homes took a lot longer than anyone anticipated Read more

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Pm Heyliger-Marten Determined To Make Vitamin Supplements Free For All Seniors

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Legislators will soon debate a proposal by Faction Leader for the United People’s Party in Parliament, MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten, to add vitamin supplements to the SZV package for Senior Citizens, fulfilling a campaign promise and pledge to do more for the elderly.

Her goal is for the legislation to contribute to the health of senior citizens in particular, while bringing them much needed financial relief as well.

MP Heyliger-Marten said Wednesday the timing of her proposal coincides with the still ongoing fight against the Corona Virus COVID-19 Read more

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Smmc Gives Tour Of Acf To Prime Minister, Minister Vsa And Vsa Inspectorate

CAY HILL, Sint Maarten — Ahead of the transfer of care to the new storm-resilient Auxiliary Care Facility (ACF), St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) gave a tour to the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) Richard Panneflek and the Inspectorate of Health Dr Read more

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Panneflek: Happy World Teachers Day

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Labor and Social Affairs (VSA) Richard Panneflek would like to express his appreciation to all teachers today Monday 5 October, 2020 on World Teachers Day.

Amid a global pandemic, our teachers have become more vital, as they continue to adjust, shape and teach through distance learning Read more

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Mid Isle Inducts Two New Members

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — At their recent fellowship at the Blue Bitch Bar, The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle inducted two new members into their Rotary Family.

Rotarian Louis Wever sponsored Richard Panneflek for membership into Mid Isle. Richard is a Government officer with the Government of St. Maarten. Richard has lived on St Read more

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