WILLEMSTAD - Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath said this morning during the press conference that unfortunately the island continues to deal with the consequences of the pandemic. the British variant causes more infections. Rhuggenaath calls for everyone to remain calm. The government has been preparing for a year to deal with the current rise in the COVID-19 infections.
According to the Premier, he has seen with his own eyers that the community is doing its utmost to adhere to the lockdown rules. “But it can be even better,” says the Premier. The government is working hard on the exemptions. There are now more than 5,000 applications for an exemption. People who do not yet have an exemption can still do their job. The police are aware of it, says the Premier.
Fire brigade, police and healthcare personnel do not need an exemption and therefore do not need to apply for it. The authorities are aware of this.
According to Rhuggenaath, the situation in the hospital is alarming. The CMC has a plan and that is why tents have been placed outside the hospital. “There are people who have conspiracy theories. There is no need to distribute this fake information,” says the Premier. Rhuggenaath recommends that the information provided by the government be further disseminated. The common goal is to reduce the number of infections. The number of briefings will also be scaled up.
Rhuggenaath appeals to the education unions not to panic. “You can be critical, but to spread panic now, that won't help anyone. It does damage and does not contribute to anything. Taking over the government by the unions is out of the question. We really can't use this right now. We must focus on solutions and dialogue,” says the Prime Minister. His comments come after the education union DOEN called on all its members to stop going to school creating confusion especially with parents.