Covid-19: towards the return of the state of health emergency in Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy

Due to a "worrying" health situation and a "strong and rapid increase in the spread" of Covid-19, the government announced the return of the state of emergency in the West Indian islands of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.

The Senate voted for a government amendment to this effect, during the examination of the health bill.

The state of emergency, once put in place, would be applicable "before August 30" and "until September 30", according to this text.

The state of health emergency is an exceptional regime that gives the authorities increased possibilities for restrictions on movement, restrictions on exits and gatherings.

A "low vaccination rate"

To justify this measure, the Minister Delegate Brigitte Bourguignon underlined the high figures of hospitalization in Saint-Martin compared to the capacities of the territory and the "low rate of vaccination" against the Covid-19.

"At this stage, the health situation is under control" but "the degradation of the regional environment leads us to be vigilant", explained Brigitte Bourguignon, also mentioning the "particularly worrying situation" of Reunion, neighboring Mayotte.

Several restrictions are already in place on travel. Passengers coming from Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy in Martinique and Guadeloupe must justify compelling reasons for non-vaccinated people. Travelers must also agree to observe a 7-day isolation if they do not have a complete vaccination schedule and perform a new biological virological screening examination following this isolation.