Curacao: Authorities extend curfew until October 21 while easing other COVID-19 restrictions

Event

Curacao authorities have extended the current 23:00 - 05:00 (local time) curfew, previously implemented in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), until at least October 21. However, authorities have further eased restrictions on gatherings and hotels. Gatherings of up to 50 people are now permitted on the island, while hotels are authorized to keep their bars and restaurants open beyond 23:00 to hotel guests if they have a permit. All other commercial establishments must close by 22:00. Places of worship may offer services at 50 percent capacity (with a maximum of 50 people), while sports and gym facilities are permitted to open at 25 percent capacity.

A maximum of 20,000 international travelers are permitted to enter the island a month from approved locations. Arrivals from the Caribbean, Europe, Guyana, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada, and the US states of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut are allowed to enter Curacao without quarantine. However, prior to travel, visitors must complete the digital immigration card, present a negative COVID-19 test taken a maximum of 72-hours prior to departure, and complete the digital Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours prior to departure.

As of Wednesday, October 7, there have been 476 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Curacao with one associated fatality. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay. To reduce the risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.