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PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Sunday said members of government need to stop with unbecoming behavior, be transparent with the public, follow its established protocols and stop trying to deflect with empty, evasive press releases. CPS protocols are in place to protect people. Leaders in this country should avoid undermining them with irresponsible actions, the MP said.
The MP was referring to Minister of VSA Omar Ottleys response to reports that he and the President of Parliament Rolando Brison attended a gathering at Lotus Night Club after the stipulated 11 pm closing time on Friday last Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA, the Honorable Omar Ottley denies rumors of him giving a popular nightclub the permission to stay open until 2:00 AM.
It is disheartening that certain political figures are quick to spread misleading rumors with zero facts.

The Minister signed a Ministerial Regulation containing COVID guidelines and protocols, with 11:00 PM business closures being one of them.

"I am not annoyed with the person in the voice note that has been circulating, but I am very disappointed with the public figures that know how to access the facts and choose not to.

The Minister went on to state that obtaining factual information is as simple as asking the Inspectorate of VSA/TEATT and KPSM if any approval was given to allow the nightclub in question, to operate until 2:00 AM.

Naturally, their answer will be No! Minister Ottley went on to state that it is not a secret that the hours for enjoying nightlife were scaled back to 11:00 PM; however, the nightlife is not prohibited Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel wants government to provide answers and clear up rumors concerning what he termed as disturbing incidents from this weekend. The island was clamoring on Saturday over news that Minister of Health Omar Ottley and President of Parliament MP Rolando Brison either organized or permitted a private party at Lotus Night Club in contravention to the Ministerial Regulation (MR).
According to witness reports, police were dispatched to Lotus Night Club on Friday night to ensure that the club closed its operations in accordance to the recently passed Ministerial Regulation which mandates closure at 11:00 pm Read more

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Minister Ottley: No Permission Given For 2:00 Am Closure

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of VSA, the Honorable Omar Ottley denies rumors of him giving a popular night club the permission to stay open until 2:00 AM.
It is disheartening that certain political figures are quick to spread misleading rumors with zero facts.

The Minister signed a Ministerial Regulation containing COVID guidelines and protocols, with 11:00 PM business closures being one of them.“I am not annoyed with the person in the voice note that has been circulating, but I am very disappointed with the public figures that knows how to access the facts and choose not to.

The Minister went on to state that obtaining factual information is as simple as asking the Inspectorate of VSA/TEATT and KPSM if any approval was given to allow the night club in
question, to operate until 2:00 AM.

Naturally, their answer will be No! Minister Ottley went on to state that it is not a secret that the hours for enjoying night life was scaled back to 11:00 PM; however nightlife is not
prohibited Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Saint-Martin Resistance organization notified the Minister of Justice of Sint Maarten, Anna E. Richardson that a protest against mandatory vaccination and health pass will be held on August 21, on French Saint Martin. The organization sought approval to cross from the Bellevue border and proceed towards the Union Road roundabout in order to turn around and head back to French Saint Martin.

Minister Richardson acknowledges the fundamental right to carry out demonstrations however, this fundamental right can be restricted under unusual and extraordinary circumstances Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley met with research representatives contacted by the RIVM and VWS of the Netherlands, to discuss the findings of a randomized survey done to better understand the vaccine hesitancy amongst the Sint Maarten population.

The Minister was eager to learn about the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.
The team of researchers stated that they thought it was critical for the Ministry of VSA to continue developing tailored strategies to increase the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine and decrease hesitancy Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley met with St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) Director, Ms. Makhicia Brooks to gain insight into the application process, as well as the approval criteria and grounds for denial of applications, especially those related to the seniors.

The Minister took note of the complaints coming in from seniors claiming they were being denied assistance and he shared these concerns with Ms Read more

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Vsa To Introduce Policy: Regular Testing For The Non-Vaccinated

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley says the government intends to implement a policy in which persons who are not vaccinated for COVID-19 may be subjected to regular COVID-19 testing.

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St. Maarten Close To Utilising Covid-19 Qr Code System

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley said St. Maarten is ready to go live with the COVID-19 QR code system once official documentation has been received to do so.

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44 Confirmed Covid-19 Cases Today

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Minister ofPublic Health,Social Development and LaborOmar Ottleyextends his deepest condolencesto the familyand friendsof Sint Maartens42ndCOVID-19 victim, whohaspassed away. Prayers go out to the family during their time of grief.

As of August 17th, there were forty four (44) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however two (2) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to three hundred forty nine (349). The total number of confirmedcases is now three thousand two hundred seventy one (3271). 

The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are monitoring three hundred thirty four (334) people are in home isolation Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Omar Ottley extends his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 42nd COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Prayers go out to the family during their time of grief.

As of August 17th, there were forty-four (44) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, two (2) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to three hundred forty-nine (349) Read more

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~ There is no forced vaccination on St. Maarten, COVID -19 protocols will be strictly enforced. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- There have been 8 deaths in nine days says Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley. The Minister made the announcement at the Council of Minister's press briefing on Wednesday. Let that sink in, I am not here to tell you the amount of active COVID-19 cases presently, but I need you to know that there have been 8 deaths in 9 days on St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor Omar Ottley extends his condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 41st COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Heartfelt thoughts go out to the family during their time of sorrow.

As of August 16th, there were forty-two (42) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, seventy-eight (78) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to three hundred eight (308) Read more

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~ New agreement reached on Monday. ~

PHILIPSBURG: ---- Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley has extended the agreement with the Aspen Medical International (AMI) team on Monday. The government of St. Maarten has reached an agreement where the team consisting of 25 staff members will remain on St. Maarten to continue managing the COVID-19 pavilion at the St Read more

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Minister Ottley: Regulates Up To 4 Months Detention Or 5,000Ang Fines

Ministerial Regulation (MR) imposes up to 4 months detention or 5,000 ANG fines for 11 PM closure violators.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Omar Ottley is reminding the General Public of the COVID- 19 measures that are still obligatory.

In just a week, the active COVID numbers surged to 300 plus persons; 18 patients are currently hospitalized at SMMC, and 290 persons are in home isolation Read more

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PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Omar Ottley is reminding the General Public of the COVID-19 measures that are still obligatory.
In just a week, the active COVID numbers surged to 300 plus persons; 18 patients are currently hospitalized at SMMC, and 290 persons are in home isolation. To date, 39 persons have succumbed to the disease.
In an effort to address the situation, Minister Ottley is requesting that all businesses start to implement the safety protocols previously set.
The COVID-19 measures have not changed, stores are still expected to provide hand sanitizing stations at the entrance, ensure that all employees and patrons wear masks Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten LIONS Club presented the young students of the Prins Willem Alexander School in Belvedere and the All Children Education School (A.C.E) on Union Road Cole Bay with facemasks and pencil cases on International Youth Day, which was celebrated yesterday, August 12th.
One-hundred and fifty facemasks were given to the Club by the Hon. Minister of VSA, Omar Ottley, in June of this year, and the Club immediately decided to present them to school-going children at the start of the new academic year Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten LIONS Club presented the young students of the Prins Willem Alexander School in Belvedere and the All Children Education School (A.C.E) on Union Road Cole Bay with facemasks and pencil cases on International Youth Day, which was celebrated yesterday, August 12th.
One-hundred and fifty facemasks were given to the Club by the Hon. Minister of VSA, Omar Ottley, in June of this year, and the Club immediately decided to present them to school-going children at the start of the new academic year Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Over the past 15 months, the government has implemented public health protocols for public safety as we reopened after the first wave. Given the drastic rise to 308 active cases of COVID-19 on St. Maarten, attributed to the Delta variant, the Council of Ministers has decided to implement additional measures to safeguard the health of the general public. These measures have also been taken after much deliberation upon receiving the recommendations of our health professionals.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, VSA Omar Ottley stated, Your safety is my number one priority Read more

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The Council Of Ministers Announces Covid-19 Response Measures

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — Over the past 15 months, the government has implemented public health protocols for public safety as we reopened after the first wave. Given the drastic rise to 308 active cases of COVID-19 on St. Maarten, attributed to the Delta variant, the Council of Ministers has decided to implement additional measures to safeguard the health of the general public. These measures have also been taken after much deliberation upon receiving the recommendations of our health professionals.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, VSA Omar Ottley stated, Your safety is my number one priority Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley hereby extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 39th COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Minister Ottley wishes the family peace and comfort during their time of grief.

As of August 12th, there were forty (40) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, thirteen (13) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to three hundred eight (308) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The team of doctors and nurses from the Aspen Medical International (AMI) that are in St. Maarten since April 8th, 2020 are scheduled to depart St. Maarten by August month-end.
SMN News learnt that a decision was taken earlier this year to have the team leave St. Maarten since the active COVID-19 cases were much lower.
Sources say that the AMI team is burnt out and is ready to leave the island even though millions are being paid by the Dutch Government for the team that is on St Read more

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~ Vaccines will not be made mandatory on St. Maarten, PM Jacobs.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Omar Ottley confirmed on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that two patients that were admitted to the St. Maarten Medical for illnesses unrelated to the coronavirus contracted the disease while at the SMMC and have died due to the coronavirus Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley hereby extends his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 38th COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Minister Ottley wishes the family much strength and healing.

As of August 10th, there were forty-four (44) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, forty-five (45) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to two hundred fifty-six (256) Read more

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