Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — On Thursday, January 21st, an article was published in The Daily Herald’s newspaper erroneously stating that Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs announced COVID-19 vaccines would only be available to “registered” residents during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers weekly press briefing. Residents are persons residing on the island and is not limited to persons with citizenship. All residents regardless of their status will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) will give further elucidation once the vaccination strategy is approved.
“It is rather unfortunate that the word “residents” mentioned in the press briefing was misconstrued in the article published by The Daily Herald and translated to mean that undocumented residents would not be served. That was most certainly not my intention when responding to the question posed,” stated Prime Minister Jacobs.
The Government of St. Maarten is committed to fighting and eliminating the spread of COVID-19 among all our residents regardless of their status. As such, throughout the process, all residents coming forward have been tested and treated from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
