Curacao: Authorities to enforce loosened COVID-19-related restrictions Jan. 13-Feb. 1 /update 18

Event

Officials in Curacao announced that effective Jan. 13, the island's existing 2100-0430 curfew will be reduced by two hours to 2300-00430. The curfew, as well as other restrictions on business operations and group gatherings, are part of the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response and will remain in place until at least Feb. 1. With the changes in the curfew hours, some business operating hours will be expanded, though most measures remain the same. Effective Jan. 13, the following measures will be eased or remain in place unchanged:

The use of a facemask is mandatory in certain stores, at barbers and salons, as well as in hospitals and clinics, on public transport, and at funerals.
Gatherings are to be limited to a maximum of four people in public places.
Effective Jan. 13, the alcohol consumption ban will be lifted at all establishments, excluding casinos.
Effective Jan. 13, the closing time for commercial establishments will be moved from 1800 to 2000, except supermarkets, minimarkets, bakeries, gas stations, pharmacies, lottery offices, and restaurants, whose operating times will be extended from 2000 to 2200. All establishments may operate at a maximum of 50-percent capacity, with no more than 50 people inside at a time. Casinos must stay closed.
Effective Jan. 13, the operating times for food trucks will change from 1600-2000 to 1800-2200. Bars, snack bars, and beach bars must close by 1900 instead of 1700 but may still only offer takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup services.
Hotels may keep their bars and restaurants open beyond 2200, for hotel guests only, if they have a permit.
Places of worship may offer services at 50-percent capacity and with no more than 50 people in attendance at a time.
Public transport will only be available until 2200, instead of 2100.
Boats may have a maximum of four people on board or one household; charter boats may have a maximum of 50-percent capacity, including the crew.

International Travel
As of Jan. 12, Curacao officials are enforcing amended entry requirements for all travelers; however, officials have removed the limit of 20,000 international tourists per month, and regular international travel can continue. Travel exemption requests and quarantine requirements for travelers from high-risk countries have also been discontinued. Nonetheless, officials will still enforce different protocols for international travelers from low- and high-risk countries and territories. However, travelers from high-risk destinations are required to complete the following before travel:

Complete the digital immigration card.
Complete the digital Passenger Locator Card (PLC) 48 hours before departure and carry the printed document (for travelers over the age of 6).
Present a negative COVID-19 test taken a maximum of 72 hours before departure at an accredited laboratory (for travelers over the age of 6).

Travelers from destinations assessed to be low-risk are only required to complete the digital immigration card and the PLC. As of Jan. 12, these countries and territories include Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and Grenadines, and Turks and Caicos.

All arrivals will be subject to additional health screenings. Travelers presenting symptoms of COVID-19 may be placed in mandatory quarantine.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, tighten, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Abide by national health and safety measures. Reconfirm all travel arrangements. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance.

Emphasize basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.