Current Travel Restrictions

[tursiops]

Hi everyone,

An update:

Bonaire has extended the flight ban from North America through September, and a friend just told me that Delta cancelled their November flight to Bonaire. The island is closing flights to and from Curacao this weekend. Flights from the Netherlands can still come in, but passengers have to fill out a health declaration and either present the results of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the flight, or if they come in without one, quarantine here on Bonaire for 14 days at their own expense.

An update on our American friends who were in the process of moving here permanently - they flew to Aruba and quarantined for 2 weeks in July, and then Bonaire closed the airspace from Aruba. However, they were able to contact the government office here and explain they had applied for Bonaire residency and had the stamp in their passport. They were permitted to fly home with other Bonaire residents from Aruba, and then they quarantined for 2 weeks here in their home. We were impressed with the precautions that were taken. They were carefully transported from the airport and were called each day to make sure they were at home. They had a daily phone health screening, and were not permitted to leave their home. Their quarantine is over now, and they are happy to be here.

Hope you all can return safely soon too.

Thanks for the multipart update!

[agd]

I pasted below the full text of the latest announcement from the Lieutenant Governor as translated by Google Translate. Of interest is that the text of the order itself and the explanation section below are contradictory in the way it deals with arrivals from the Netherlands:

The order says:

1. Persons who travel into Bonaire via airspace or territorial waters from 7 September 2020 and who were resident in Europe for less than 14 days prior to arrival on Bonaire, are obliged to go into quarantine for 14 days immediately after arrival on Bonaire on a The location to be designated by the Lieutenant Governor, unless a negative result of the PCR test is submitted no more than 72 hours before arrival on Bonaire.

But the explanation section says:

To allow the entry of persons to pass through in a safe way Jaten vindel! the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity Bonaire has taken additional measures with regard to the ordinance of 13 August 2020. On the one hand, the measures entail that all persons from the European Netherlands, who in the period from 7 September 2020 up to and including the end date of the Emergency Ordinance COVID -19 enter the airspace of Bonaire after arrival on Bonaire go into quarantine for fourteen (14) days and stay at a (central) location to be designated by the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity of Bonaire, unless a maximum of 72 hours before arrival on Bonaire can submit a negative result of the PCR test.

The order itself allows those who have been been resident in Europe for 14 days prior to arrival in Bonaire an exemption from the 14 day quarantine in Bonaire and only those who do not meet that criteria to either quarantine or provide a Covid test. Whereas the explanation section suggests that a Covid test is required for those arriving from the Netherlands and does not address the exemption for those who had been residing in Europe for 14 days ahead of time.

The article in Bonaire.nu, here, https://bonaire.nu/2020/09/03/testen...n-quarantaine/ says that anyone arriving in Bonaire after 7 September and who was in Europe less than 14 days before departure will have to submit a Covid test or quarantine. It does not say that anyone who was in Europe for 14 days or longer must quarantine or provide a test.

So, based on that interpretation and the wording of the order itself, arrivals from the Netherlands, so long as they have been in Europe for 14 days, may not need to quarantine or provide a test. But, once again, the explanation introduces some ambiguity.

AGD




THE AUTHORITOR OF THE PUBLIC BODY BONAIRE
(archive no.20200003033)
Whereas:
- that the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of 28 August 2020, no.
IENW / BSK-2020/166026 amending the Regulation on temporary ban on civil aviation airspace Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in connection with the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, has been extended until 1 October 2020;
that it cannot be ruled out that travelers from high-risk countries as referred to in Article 2 of the Regulation travel on to Bonaire via a stopover in one of the excepted countries as referred to in Article 2, paragraph 2, sub a and c of the Regulation ;
that Aruba, Curacao and Sint Maarten have been designated as high-risk countries and islands due to an increasing number of COVID-19 infections;
that measures are necessary to prevent or limit the spread on Bonaire of the virus that causes the disease COVID-19 as much as possible;
that in order to protect the health and safety of the residents of Bonaire, the Island Governor has already decided to impose the obligation to complete a health declaration for all incoming travelers, regardless of the airport of departure; that under these circumstances, in accordance with the provisions of Article 179 of the Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba Public Bodies Act, temporary generally binding regulations are deemed necessary to maintain public order or to protect the safety and health of persons acting on the territory of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, including the territorial waters of Bonaire.
Considering:
- Article 178 paragraph 1jo.179 of the Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba public bodies Act;
- The Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management to amend the Regulation
temporary ban on civil aviation airspace Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in connection with the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, last amended on August 28, 2020.

HAS DECIDED
to establish the following generally binding regulations for the maintenance of public order and security:
Article 1 Definitions
For the purposes of this Regulation:
a. virus: the virus that causes the disease COVID-19;
b. the Regulation: the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management to amend
of the Regulation on temporary ban on civil aviation airspace Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in connection with the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, last amended on 28 August 2020.
c. the Lieutenant Governor: the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity of Bonaire.
d. the joint household: persons who maintain a lasting, affective relationship with each other, even if they do not live at the same address (lat relationship), as well as parent (s) and / or guardian (s) whose children do not live at the same address as the parent (s) and / or guardian (s) reside.
e. children: own children as well as step, adopted and foster children.
Article 2 Scope
This regulation applies to the territory of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, including the territorial waters of Bonaire.
Article 3 Health declaration
All persons who enter Bonaire via airspace or territorial waters are obliged to submit a fully and truthfully completed health declaration digitally to the competent authority 48 hours before departure.
Article 4 Quarantine
1. Persons who travel into Bonaire via airspace or territorial waters from 7 September 2020 and who were resident in Europe for less than 14 days prior to arrival on Bonaire, are obliged to go into quarantine for 14 days immediately after arrival on Bonaire on a The location to be designated by the Lieutenant Governor, unless a negative result of the PCR test is submitted no more than 72 hours before arrival on Bonaire.
2. Persons who travel from Aruba, Cura ~ ao and Sint Maarten, Bonaire from September 5, 2020, are obliged to go into quarantine for 14 days immediately after arrival on Bonaire.
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3. All persons who remain in quarantine on the places designated by the Lieutenant Governor! l must adhere to the measures and procedures to be taken in order to prevent an outbreak or spread of the virus.
4. The Lieutenant Governor may grant an exemption for the stay in quarantine, as referred to in the first paragraph. This exemption may contain alternative conditions.
5. The costs associated with the stay in the quarantine location will be borne by the person, or his legal representative in the event that the person is legally incapacitated, who travels to Bonaire, unless this person of these costs on the basis of the policy of the Lieutenant Governor , is excluded.
Article 5 Written consent
1. Pursuant to Article 2 of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Lieutenant Governor grants to amend the Regulation on temporary ban on civil aviation airspace Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in connection with the virus that causes the disease COVID-19, last amended on August 28, 2020, written permission for the transport of medical personnel to Bonaire when the Lieutenant Governor deems this necessary in the interest of public health of Bonaire.
2. The written permission referred to in the first paragraph can also be granted by the Lieutenant Governor to:
a. patients;
b. persons who are residents of Bonaire;
c. students who are or have been residents of Bonaire;
d. persons who wish to settle permanently on Bonaire and who are in possession of
a certificate of deregistration from the basic administration of their current place of residence;
e. persons who want to attend the funeral of a family member on Bonaire;
f. persons who want a family member who is in the terminal phase on Bonaire
care or visit;
g. persons who are the crew on board a ship docked on Bonaire
to replace.
Article 6 Prohibition of gatherings and events
1. It is forbidden to (have singing / dancing) events taking place, organizing or having them created, and taking part in such events.
2. Events as referred to in the first paragraph are understood to mean all public gatherings and entertainment as referred to in Article 176 of the WolBES or referred to in the Algemeen Politiekeur Bonaire. In addition, an event means all gatherings held in the public space or closed atmosphere where more than 50% of the occupancy capacity with a maximum number of fifty people congregate simultaneously, which take place in buildings that are open to the public, as well as in buildings that are not open. for the public, including the associated yards, as well as those in the open air or public spaces, public as well as private beaches.
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3. The first paragraph does not apply to the following events and gatherings, where no more than twenty-five people are present and those present must at all times keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the nearest person:
a. legally required meetings, such as meetings of the Island Legislative Council;
b. meetings necessary for the continuation of the daily activities
from institutions, companies and other organizations;
c. funerals and weddings;
d. parties in a private atmosphere;
e. meetings where the right to freely profess religion or belief as
referred to in Article 6 of the Constitution is exercised. Article 7 Failure to observe a safe distance
1. It is prohibited to be in a group of three or more persons without maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the closest person in that group and other persons.
2. This prohibition does not apply to:
persons who form a joint household;
b. children up to and including 17 years old.
Article 8 Hygiene measures
All persons who are in the public space must adhere to the strict hygiene measures in accordance with the guidelines of the Public Health Department of Bonaire.
Article 9 Closure of establishments
It is prohibited to keep one of the following establishments open: a. Nightclubs;
b. Discotheques.
Article 10 Catering establishments
1. Establishments where food or drink is sold and consumed on site, including establishments in businesses that are not accessible to the public (company canteens and company catering) and establishments in hotels for the benefit of hotel guests, may only be open, subject to the following conditions is met:
a. 50% of the occupancy capacity with a maximum number of fifty persons is present simultaneously in the establishment (including personnel);
b. the attendees keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the nearest person at all times;
c. Strict hygiene measures were observed in accordance with the guidelines of the Public Health Department Bonaire.
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Article 11 Sports and fitness clubs
1. Sports and fitness clubs (sports facilities and sports facilities), including sports halls and sports fields, may only be open if the following conditions are met:
a. there is 50% of the occupancy capacity with a maximum number of fifty people
simultaneously present in the sports facility;
b. at all times the attendees keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters from the
closest person;
c. strict hygiene measures were observed in accordance with the guidelines of the
Public Health department Bonaire.
2. The first paragraph, under b, does not apply to children up to and including 17 years of age.
3. The holding of tournaments and / or practice matches is permitted without the presence of
audience.
Article 12 Follow instructions
All instructions given by the police, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee or officials designated for that purpose in the interest of public order and / or safety of persons with regard to this bye-law must be strictly complied with.
Article 13 Penalty provision
1. Anyone who deliberately performs acts to undermine the instructions referred to in Article 7, or who violates the provisions laid down by or pursuant to this Regulation, shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than three months or a fine of the second category.
2. The criminal offenses referred to in the first paragraph are violations.
3. The following are responsible for ensuring compliance with this Regulation:
- Police officers as referred to in article 184, paragraph 1 under a and b of the BES Criminal Procedure Code;
- Extraordinary police officers appointed by the Lieutenant Governor as referred to in Article 184, paragraph 1 under c of the BES Penal Procedure Code;
Supervisors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
Soldiers of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee as referred to in Article 184, paragraph 1, under d of the BES Criminal Procedure Code.
Article 14 Entry into force
1. This Regulation shall enter into force immediately upon publication and shall apply until 00:00 am local time on 30 September 2020, unless a decision has been taken to extend or withdraw the Regulation prior to that date.
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2. The Emergency Ordinance COVID-19 Bonaire of August 13, 2020, as extended on August 31, 2020, will be repealed.
3. Decisions based on the Emergency Ordinance COVID-19 Bonaire of 13 August 2020 and the extension of 31 August 2020 were considered to be based on this bye-law.
4. The Emergency Ordinance COVID-19 of 1 September 2020 is repealed.
5. This ordinance may be cited as: Emergency ordinance COVID-19 Bonaire of September 2
2020.
Thus established on Bonaire, 0 2 SEP ZOZO
The he
Copy this to be sent to:
- KPCN, Public Prosecution Service, Wnd. Government Representative,
- Ministry of Health,
- Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management,
- Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, DG Kingdom Relations,
- Department] AZ.
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Explanation •
~
In recent weeks, both international and regional in Aruba, Curas; ao and Sint ~
there is an enormous increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. Four COVID-19 infections have now also been found on Bonaire. It can be established that the Coronavirus is also present on Bonaire. Because the Lieutenant Governor has established that residents and visitors of Bonaire are less and less complying with the recommended hygiene measures and the urgent advice for 'social distancing', but the chance of an increase in infections is increasingly present, enforceable measures are needed to prevent an uncontrolled spread of the Coronavirus. In view of this, the Lieutenant Governor now sees reason to maintain the measure of 'social distancing' in the Emergency Ordinance COVID-19, as well as the obligation to comply at all times with the strict hygiene regulations in accordance with the guidelines of the Public Health Department of Bonaire, including, but not exclusively, keeping a social distance of 1.5 meters, applying good and regular hand and cough hygiene, regularly cleaning frequently used surfaces, equipment and toys and keeping people at home when symptoms of respiratory complaints such as coughing begin and sneezing and / or increase or fever.
The interinsular traffic between Curas; ao and Bonaire is very intensive. The interaction between people from Curas; ao and Bonaire is very different from that between tourists and residents of Bonaire. People who enter from Curas; ao have close contact with the local population, stay with family and / or friends, visit events, restaurants and sports activities together. That is why we estimate the risk of entering from Curas, ao greater than from Europe. For travelers from Europe, it is important that the risk of import contamination is further limited by having a negative test performed before the flight.
Article by article
Article 2
The scope of this regulation covers the whole of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, including the territorial waters.
Article 4
Due to the developments on the participating islands, the bubble created with the islands has been suspended until further notice until the contamination on each individual island can be controlled again. With the suspension of the travel bubble, a new 'phase' is entered; season two of the Covid-19 crisis. Continuing to manage the entry of persons from high-risk countries is a process that must be accompanied by the necessary safeguards. These persons all come from a country where the Coronavirus is active. There is therefore a risk that one or more people are infected with the Corona virus, although they may not (yet) show any symptoms.
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-
To allow the entry of persons to pass through in a safe way Jaten vindel! the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity Bonaire has taken additional measures with regard to the ordinance of 13 August 2020. On the one hand, the measures entail that all persons from the European Netherlands, who in the period from 7 September 2020 up to and including the end date of the Emergency Ordinance COVID -19 enter the airspace of Bonaire after arrival on Bonaire go into quarantine for fourteen (14) days and stay at a (central) location to be designated by the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity of Bonaire, unless a maximum of 72 hours before arrival on Bonaire can submit a negative result of the PCR test.
All persons from all other Caribbean sister islands and the European Netherlands must submit a digital health certificate at least 48 hours before departure. In addition, persons who travel from Aruba, Cura ~ ao and Sint Maarten, Bonaire from September 5, 2020 are obliged to go into quarantine for 14 days immediately after arrival on Bonaire. All persons in quarantine must adhere to the measures and procedures to be given in order to prevent an outbreak or spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), unless an exemption has been granted by the Lieutenant Governor. This exemption may contain alternative conditions. If persons are not willing to go into quarantine and to adhere to the prescribed measures and procedures, the Lieutenant Governor will decide on a mandatory quarantine. The compulsory quarantine can be seen as a restriction of rights and freedoms that persons have under the European Convention on Human Rights. In that context, it is important that Article 35, paragraph 1 of the Public Health Act offers the Lieutenant Governor of the Public Entity of Bonaire the opportunity to infringe on those rights and freedoms by means of the immediate quarantine of persons to prevent the spread of infectious diseases belonging to group A. However, the use of that power always requires the input of at least one doctor who is responsible for infectious disease control.
Article 6
This article contains the prohibition on (licensed) events and on all other gatherings in the public space and closed atmosphere of more than fifty people. Meetings are understood to mean an appointment to get together with a group of people. This limitation remains necessary because it cannot be ruled out that the Coronavirus can spread on Bonaire now that there is a local contamination with an irreducible source and the gathering of larger groups in that case can lead to the emergence of 'hot spots' of the Coronavirus. . The gathering of larger groups thus entails an increased risk of spreading. Due to the limited care capacity on Bonaire, it is very important to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the Corona virus. The prohibition therefore has a wide scope. It does not only concern licensed events, but also other gatherings where more than fifty people come together. This includes, but is not limited to, cinemas, theaters, public markets, community centers, parades and (street) parties. Meetings on public beaches are also covered by this prohibition. Public beaches that belong to the hotel grounds are excluded for hotel guests.
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The prohibition also includes private gatherings of more than twenty-five participants, such as private (wedding) parties, in catering establishments or on business parks. Oak gatherings outside of the public space are covered by this article. For example, action can be taken against, for example, (corona) parties in private homes, garages or on private property. In the second paragraph, the article contains a number of exceptions to the prohibition of meetings other than events, provided that the distance of 1.5 meters is observed.
Part a pertains to legally required meetings, such as meetings of the Island Council and other representative bodies, provided that no more than twenty-five persons are present. This exception only concerns legally required meetings. Since April 9, 2020, the Temporary Act on digital consultation and decision-making for provinces, municipalities, water boards and public bodies Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba has been in force, on which legally required meetings of decentralized representative bodies can also take place in a digital environment.
The exception also applies to (b) gatherings that are necessary for the continuation of the day-to-day activities of institutions, companies and other organizations, (c) civil weddings and funerals and (d) gatherings of a religious or ideological nature, provided that no more than fifty people present. The provision under (d) does not affect the urgent call by the Lieutenant Governor to limit worship services (including the regular church service and Friday afternoon prayers) to a minimum and to broadcast digitally where possible so that people can follow the service remotely.
Article 7
This article defines the measure of 'social distancing' in the public space. Social distancing reduces the risk of the Coronavirus spreading. This measure remains necessary to prevent an uncontrolled spread of the virus. The measure of 'social distancing' also applies where groups (of a maximum of twenty-five people) come together, for example on the beach.
The term 'public space' has been included to clarify that this includes both public space and the buildings, locations and associated yards open to the public, with or without any restrictions. This concerns, for example, the public road, parks, parking lots and public gardens, the public part of the buildings of the Public Entity Bonaire and shops and other buildings accessible to the public. Oak vessels and vehicles in public spaces and spaces open to the public are considered to be public spaces, with the exception of the residential areas located therein.
For supermarkets, the use of a shopping cart is mandatory and a maximum of 2 people may share a shopping cart.
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Article 9
This article includes the closure of establishments where the risk of spreading the Coronavirus is high. This applies to nightclubs and discotheques, as these are places where many people by their nature congregate in a limited enclosed space.
Night clubs are understood to mean: a place to go out in the evening and at night. This includes, among other things, discotheques, but also catering establishments insofar as these are converted into a dance venue for the evening and / or nighttime hours.
Articles 10 and 11
Based on these articles, sports and fitness locations and catering establishments may be open, provided that certain regulations are met. A maximum of 50 people may be present per outside (space) and / or facility. Oak must at all times observe the measure of 'social distancing'. The 'social distancing' measure does not apply to children up to and including 17 years of age, but parents and guardians must explicitly adhere to the 'social distancing' measure, for example when picking up and taking children to sports venues. Finally, the aforementioned institutions or establishments must comply with strict hygiene regulations in accordance with the guidelines of the Public Health Department of Bonaire, including, but not limited to, keeping a social distance of 1.5 meters, the application of a good and regular hand and cough hygiene, regular cleaning of frequently used surfaces, equipment and toys and keeping those present at home when symptoms of respiratory complaints such as coughing and sneezing and / or an increase or fever occur.
In addition to the foregoing general explanation of the conditions under which, among other things, sports facilities may be open, the following applies to tournaments, such as competitions in which different teams from Bonaire compete against each other, the presence of the public during training sessions and / or (practice) matches is prohibited.
Article 12
This article makes it clear that everyone is obliged to immediately follow any authorized instructions for the implementation of this regulation. Violation of this regulation, including not following instructions, is punishable as an offense in article 190 of the BES Penal Code. This is punishable by imprisonment of no more than three months or a fine of the second category.
Article 13
Article 184 of the BES Code of Criminal Procedure specifies who is charged with the investigation of criminal offenses. These include police officers and officers of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee.
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• I.
Also persons who have or who belong to a deed of investigative authority
Categories or units designated by the Minister of Justice are charged with the investigation of criminal offenses within the powers assigned to them.
Article 14
This regulation replaces the Emergency Ordinance COVID-19 of 13 August 2020, as last amended on 1 September 2020.
If the measures are no longer necessary, this Regulation will be repealed as soon as possible.
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[agd]

The ordinance has been amended to clarify the ambiguities I referred to above. In essence, travellers from Europe must satisfy both presence in Europe for 14 days and submit a PCR test. The ordinance is here:

https://bonaire.nu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Noodverordening-07-09-2020.pdf

It is in Dutch, but without translating the whole thing, this is the gist:

Last update: September 9, 2020, 9:30 AM.

Tourists from the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany can fly to Bonaire, provided they stayed in one of these countries for the 14 days prior to departure.

Negative corona test for travel to Bonaire

Travelers aged 13 and older who stayed in Europe (the Netherlands, Belgium, France or Germany) for 14 days before departure, must show a negative result of a PCR test upon arrival. This test must be done a maximum of 72 hours before departure. Anyone who cannot show a negative test result on arrival must, in accordance with the emergency ordinance of the Public Entity of Bonaire, immediately be quarantined for 14 days at their own expense at a location designated by the Island Governor.