Territorial Council Meeting Friday May 29, 2020

The decision will be made by the French government, the territorial council can make its request but not set the date, so it's still wait and see..
 
Thanks for the info on SXM. What about the SBH airport for those coming from SJU. Any news on that? Or will it be forthcoming depending on how the French govt responds to Mr Magras request( what is the timetable on that? Anyone know?).
Thank you.
 
It is still a little too early to say. Following the Prime Minister's speech last Thursday, the Préfecture of St Martin and St Barthélemy hasn't made any announcements yet as far as local measures are concerned. Hopefully we'll know a little more later this week as Monday June 1st is "Lundi de Pentecôte", Whit Monday (public holiday).

What we know at this point (facts, no speculation):

Mainland France (on a national level):

- Lockdown is officially over nationwide, starting June 2nd (with a few minor restrictions until June 22nd, particularly in Paris).
- European borders should reopen June 15th (free travel within the EU).
- International borders (outside of the EU) are slowing reopening also, but as the Prime Minister mentioned, this decision is to made on a European level due to the Schengen area.
- These are bilateral agreements. If the EU borders reopen to foreign countries, it must be both ways.
- The applies to quarantine requirements also: the Prime Minister said that if a foreign country imposes a mandatory quarantine to French citizens, the same will be applied to the citizens of that foreign country. Note: no specific country was mentioned, but I believe he referred to the UK in this case following Boris Johnson's latest statements.
- Unfortunately, based on reciprocity, a travel ban might also apply to US citizens due to the current travel restrictions issued by the Trump administration to the Europeans.

Locally (French Caribbean):

- Travel restrictions still apply between the mainland and the islands, and between the islands (including a mandatory form -"attestation"- to be completed) with mandatory quarantine and test protocoles upon arrival. These restrictions should be canceled July 1st so as to allow French nationals to visit the islands during the summer holidays (there is a large proportion of French Caribbean island natives living in mainland France, who typically come back during the summer. Many French mainlanders visit the islands during this time also).
- International borders are still closed (except for St. Martin/St. Maarten's border which should reopen Tuesday June 2nd).
- St Barth (Collectivité's President Mr. Bruno Magras) has officially made a request to the Government for an exemption to the above measures, asking for the reopening of international borders as early as June 15th, pending strict entry protocoles. No answer yet.
 
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