JEK
Senior Insider
HOW THE ENTRANTS ON THE ISLAND ARE BORDERED
by V.A 04/22/2020
Eleven left this Wednesday from the Air Antilles plane, some from Guadeloupe, others from Saint-Martin. Upon arrival, travelers are questioned and strongly invited to stay at home for fourteen days.
Before being able to board the plane, they had to provide proof of the reason for their trip: medical reason, essential professional or family reason. Last Wednesday, the Air Antilles plane was full, with eleven passengers bound for Saint-Barth. Young students returning to their parents, island residents returning home, a couple bringing their newborn home, a construction professional who comes to work for an urgent need, and for whom the employer had to demonstrate that he couldn't delay his trip.
All are offered, by masked members of the Red Cross, a dab of hydroalcoholic gel. Then the volunteers of the association submit them to a questionnaire: "Do you feel feverish? Where are you from, where did you go? They insistently explain to everyone that as new arrivals, they must remain in self-isolation for fourteen days. And if self-isolation is too complicated at home, for example in the case of shared accommodation, the Saint-Jean accommodation center is available. He has already welcomed a resident returning from the metropolis.
No tourist has arrived
No tourist is allowed to enter. The rumor concerning Americans arriving by Tradewind is false: it was the return of a young Saint Barth to his parents. He is housebound. The restrictions apply to everyone the same, and sometimes the authorities refuse entry to the island. For example, a Frenchman established in the United States, who wanted to join his residence in Saint-Barth for more comfort, was faced with a veto. The same company, however, planned a trip from Saint Barth to repatriate American nationals to their homes in early May.
Once the arrivals have left the airport, each form filled out by the Red Cross is sent to the gendarmerie, the prefecture and the community social service. People are called every two days. And if they do not respond or show ill will, they receive a visit from the police at their home. This has happened three times since the introduction of air restrictions. But of course, some free riders go through the cracks once on the island; they can give false phone numbers; as for addresses, they are always imprecise. Likewise, employers can exaggerate the absolute necessity of bringing this or that employee from outside ...
More flexible than in Guadeloupe
Minister Annick Girardin has set up in the overseas territories, since April 16, a fortnight monitored in a hotel. This measure applies in Guadeloupe. But not in Saint-Barthélemy, where surveillance is more accommodating, and is based on individual responsibility. She also announced the systematic screening of overseas arrivals after their fortnight. The measure, this time, must also concern Saint-Barthélemy.
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For traveling
Since the end of March, people wishing to travel must prove either a compelling reason of a personal and family nature (children returning to the parental home, for example), or a reason for health related to emergency (people undergoing regular treatment in Saint-Martin or Guadeloupe), either for a professional reason that cannot be deferred (caregivers, specialists of all kinds).
They must complete a declaration of honor, available on the website of the prefecture of St-Martin and St-Barthélemy.
As part of an agreement with the State, Air Antilles has provided territorial continuity since March 23. The state funds empty seats, to sum up. It is the only company that transports travelers to and from Saint-Barthélemy, three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The others do Freight or charter transport on a case by case basis, within the same restrictions. Flight and sales conditions, reservations on www.airantilles.com or by email at callcenter@airantilles.com. The prefecture can help you in case of difficulty: covid19pref@saint-barth-saint-martin.gouv.fr
