WILLEMSTAD - The borders were closed for everyone on March 16. Now the decision has been made that residents who are stranded abroad can come back provided they remain in quarantine for 14 days in one of the hotels chosen for this purpose. This has been possible since May 8.
There were several questions as to what the requirements are for stranded residents to return to the island and who should pay their own quarantine costs and who is covered by the government.
Those who can travel to Curaçao must be residents, registered at Kranshi (civil registry) and who have a return ticket but who could not travel back to Curaçao because of the COVID-19 crisis. They can apply to return to Curaçao. All costs of this travel-related quarantine will be covered by the government.
These residents must have proof that they are registered in Curaçao. And of course, show proof that they have a return ticket which was purchased before March 16.
Also, those who are stranded abroad because of medical treatment through the Social Insurance Bank (SVB). They must show proof that they are registered in Curaçao, that they received medical treatment and that they fit to fly (medical authorization).
Click here for the form “Registration stranded Curaçao residents abroad”
There are also 4 other groups who are not registered at the civil registry who can travel to Curaçao. These are:
1. 1. Residents who could not return to Curaçao because the airport was closed on March 13;
2. 2. Medical specialists and other medical personnel who are authorized by the Government of Curaçao;
3. 3. Curaçao students in the U.S. or Canada;
4. 4. Curaçao students who are not registered anymore at the civil registry and are in the Netherlands and can show that they are in dire circumstances, for example, they cannot stay in their apartment due to financial problems or if they have medical issues.
The travel-related quarantine expenses for group 1, 2 and 3 are covered by the government. Group number 2 (this has been corrected) must pay for their own travel-related quarantine or the company which hired them.
The expenses covered by the government are transport, accommodation, three meals per day, and security. The expenses are approximately 250 guilders per day per person. This amount is also valid for group 4.
Note: In the first article we mentioned that the students need to pay their own expenses. This is not correct. The medical specialists who are allowed to travel to the island need to pay their own expenses. We apologize for this mistake.