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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Labor Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that he requested advice from the SER to increase the minimum wage, however, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Silver Jacobs requested advice from the same advisory body for a livable wage.
The Minister said that the SER promised to deliver the much-needed advice someti Read more

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Ottley: Self-Isolation Period For Asymptomatic Persons Reduced

VSA Minister Omar Ottley

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley confirms a reduction in the self- isolation period for asymptomatic perso Read more

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El Ministro Ottley Confirma La Reduccin Del Perodo De Auto-Aislamiento Para Personas Asintomticas, En Una Decisin Que Podra Ayudar A Abordar Los Problemas Actuales.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Despus de consultar con el CPS y considerando las nuevas pautas de CDC, el Ministro de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo, Omar Ottley, afirm que despus de recopilar la informacin necesaria, decidi reducir el tiempo de aislamiento de COVID-19 a 7 das. El Ministro Ottley enfatiz que es fundamental que las personas continen usando mascarillas, que se ajusten bien y tomen precauciones adicionales despus de salir del aislamiento o la cuarentena.

Tenga en cuenta que las nuevas reglas de aislamiento de COVID-19 no se aplican al personal de atencin mdica, las personas inmunocomprometidas o las personas con enfermedades graves o crticas Read more

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Minister Ottley Confirms Reduction In Self- Isolation Period For Asymptomatic Persons, In A Decision That Could Help Address Current Staffing Issues.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – After consultation with CPS and considering CDCs new guidelines, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley stated that after garnering the necessary information, he has decided to reduce the COVID-19 isolationtime to 7 days. Minister Ottley emphasized that it is critical that persons continue to wear well-fitting masks and take additional precautions after leaving isolation or quarantine.

Please note that the new COVID-19isolation rules do not apply to health care personnel, persons who are immunocompromised or for those with severe to critical illness Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- After consultation with CPS and considering CDCs new guidelines, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley stated that after garnering the necessary information, he has decided to reduce the COVID-19 isolation time to 7 days. Minister Ottley emphasized that it is critical that persons continue to wear well-fitting masks and take additional precautions after leaving isolation or quarantine.

Please note that the new COVID-19 isolation rules do not apply to health care personnel, persons who are immunocompromised, or those with severe to critical illness Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) on Sunday said it is astounded by the governments lackadaisical approach towards what is happening at the hospital project, and questioned the status and security of the contract signed for the hospital project with INSO, now FINSO. The many financial setbacks reported at the project should be raising alarms within government, President of the USP Cecil Nicholas said.

The now confirmed reports about contractors and sub-contractors not being paid as well as the report of the recent resignation (forced or otherwise) of a financial executive attached to the project, is very concerning to our party in particular after the people of St Read more

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~ Emergency Crew manning ATC~

AIRPORT:--- The Princess Juliana Airport Air Traffic Controllers are currently on strike as they protest various grievances, one being the 12.5% cuts in their salaries.
SMN News learned that the air traffic controllers are being supported by their unions the Windward Island Civil Servants Union (WICSU) as they continue to protest the way their Collective Labor Agreement goes.

In a letter to the CEO Brian Mingo, the Union WICSU/ PSU informs Mingo that their members from the Air Traffic Control Department requested an urgent meeting with them on Saturday, January 15th which will begin from 7 am to 5 pm to discuss the frustration being experienced due to the indecisive communication that has been going back and forth between management and the union regarding the way forward.
"The union is hoping management and the board of PJIAE understand the serious effects their decisions are having on their members.
This should not be taken lightly as our members carry the title of Air Traffic Controllers and if they are frustrated they will not be able to perform their duties optimally Read more

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Nightlife Business Hours To Scale Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maaretn — The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital’s occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island.

For clarity, the Ministerial Regulation goes into effect on Wednesday January 12th, with the understanding that all nightlife establishments must be closed by 11 pm.

Phase 1:

4 – 7 hospitalizations (20%), scale back to 1 am Read more

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El Ministerio Teatt Busca Diferentes Fuentes De Alimentos

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – El Ministerio de Turismo, Asuntos Econmicos, Transportes y Telecomunicaciones (TEATT) est investigando diferentes fuentes de alimentos en caso de que una escasez relacionada con la pandemia afecte al pas.

El ministro suplente del TEATT, Omar Ottley, brind la informacin en respuesta a una pregunta durante la conferencia de prensa del Consejo de Ministros del mircoles Read more

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Teatt Ministry Looking Into Different Sources For Food Items

Minister Omar Ottley during the press briefing on Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) is looking into different sources for food should a pandemic-related shortage affect the country.

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~ Official transfer from INSO to FINSO only finalized two months ago~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that he conducted some investigations to see what exactly was the problem with FINSO and the banks on St. Maarten. Ottley said that the transfer from INSO to FINSO was only completed two months ago. He said that the company has been trying to open a bank account on St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley did not mince with words on Wednesday when he called out the nightclubs and bars for not following protocols and set guidelines when the country reopened its business sector late last year. The Minister said that these establishments signed agreements and agreed to test and other guidelines but they simply did not follow through Read more

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El Horario Comercial De La Vida Nocturna Se Reduce A Las 11:00 Pm

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Social Desarrollo y Trabajo, Omar Ottley informa al pblico, que en de acuerdo con su enfoque gradual COVID-19 para la vida nocturna; el horario comercial se reducir a las 11:00 p.m.

El enfoque por etapas se basa en la tasa de ocupacin y capacidad del hospital, para evitar un posible colapso de nuestro sistema de salud, manteniendo el equilibrio en nuestra actividad econmica en la isla.

Para mayor claridad, el Reglamento Ministerial entra en vigor el mircoles 12 de enero, para todos los establecimientos de vida nocturna los cuales deben estar cerrados a las 11:00pm.

Fase 1: 4 – 7 hospitalizaciones (20%), escala a las 1:00 am Read more

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Nightlife Business Hours To Be Scaled Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG--The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informed the public on Tuesday evening that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm starting Wednesday.

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Nightlife Business Hours To Scale Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital’s occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the nightlife; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital's occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island.

For clarity, the Ministerial Regulation goes into effect on Wednesday, January 12th, with the understanding that all nightlife establishments must be closed by 11 pm.

Phase 1:
4 - 7 hospitalizations (20%), scale back to 1 am Read more

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Emmanuel Asks Again What Is Happening With The Money For New Hospital Project

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Monday said that almost a month has gone by since he raised the alarm about ongoing construction of the St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH) and to date, there remains no clarity just more questions.

What is happening with the money for this project thats meant to pay stakeholders and finish the project? the MP asked after he personally visited the site on Monday and observed little to no work ongoing at the project site.

In December 2021 Emmanuel said it had been brought to his attention that something is amiss with the ongoing construction/expansion of the St Read more

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~ Contractors received small payment end of December. SBOD not fully updated on hold ups~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The New General Hospital Project that was awarded to INSO now (FINSO) is having major financial issues therefore not being able to get workers. Last month when several contractors complained about the lack of payments the Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley said he was assured that the company would pay its debts before the Christmas Holidays, but when these contractors were contacted by SMN News on Monday they said that they did receive a small amount of money at the end of December but not close to what is owed to them Read more

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Fast Spreading Covid-19 Will Place A Dent On Economy And Szv Medical Funds.

~CPS delays detrimental to the economy and SZV~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The drastic increase in active COVID-19 virus mainly the Omicron variant will place a dent on St. Maartens economy and the medical funds of USZV.
There are close to 2000 persons that are currently active with the coronavirus, the last update distributed on Saturday states the active cases were 1477. This does not include the persons that did their self-testing and did not report it to CPS or any of the laboratories on St Read more

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Ottley: Covid-19 Protocols Inspection Resumes Monday

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley says that as of Monday, January 10, there will be an increase in inspections for compliance with COVID-19 protocols within the business sector.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health and Labor Omar Ottley issued a call to all residents on St. Maarten on Wednesday to act responsibly with the increased spread of the COVID-19. The Minister said that while the number of active cases has increased drastically these past few days, he is sure the number is much higher but has not been recorded Read more

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Horario Comercial De Vida Nocturna Se Reducira A La 1 A.M. **

El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Labor Omar Ottley informa al pblico que de acuerdo con su enfoque gradual de COVID-19 para la vida nocturna, el horario comercial se reducir a la 1 de la maana.
El enfoque gradual se basa en la tasa de ocupacin y capacidad, para evitar una possible colapso de nuestro sistema de atencin mdica, mientras mantenemos un equilibrio en nuestra actividad econmica en la isla.
Para mayor claridad, el Reglamento Ministerial entra en vigor el Mircoles 5 de enero, en el entendimiento de que todos los establecimientos nocturnos deben estar cerrados antes de la 1 a.m Read more

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Nightlife Business Hours To Scale Back To 1:00 Am.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 1:00 am.
The phased approach is based on the hospital’s occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island.

For clarity, the Ministerial Regulation goes into effect on Wednesday January 5th, with the understanding that all nightlife establishments must be closed by 1 am on January 6th.
Phase 1: 4 – 7 hospitalizations (20%), scale back to 1:00 am Read more

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El Horario Comercial De Vida Nocturna Se Reducir A Las 1:00 Am

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Social Desarrollo y Trabajo, Omar Ottley informa al pblico, que de acuerdo con su enfoque por fases COVID-19 para la vida nocturna; el horario comercial se reducir a las 1:00 a.m.

El enfoque por fases se basa en la tasa de ocupacin del hospital y capacidad, para evitar un posible colapso de nuestro sistema de salud, manteniendo un equilibrio en nuestra actividad econmica en la isla Read more

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