The measure does not apply to “outbound” flights; persons who want to leave from Curaçao can still do this.
WILLEMSTAD – Given the most recent developments in Europe, where the coronavirus is believed to develop differently than previously in China and the resulting death toll is relatively higher, Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath of Curaçao has declared a ‘state of crisis’ and out of precaution closed the airspace to traffic from Europe, which is mainly the Netherlands.
He announced this during an emergency press conference. During the meeting, it was also confirmed that Curaçao is dealing with two cases of Covid-19. It concerns a European-Dutch man and his partner, both are on vacation in Curaçao. According to epidemiologist Izzy Gerstenbluth.
The measure to cut off air traffic from Europe may come across as “drastic,” but given the uncertainty about the virus, it has been taken to thoroughly analyze the latest developments, Rhuggenaath and Gerstenbluth said. The measure does not apply to “outbound” flights; persons who want to leave from Curaçao can simply do this. No decision has yet been taken about the flights from the United States to Curaçao. “We will now evaluate this situation,” said the prime minister.
Dr. Gerstenbluth further explained: “Looking at the situation in China, we keep saying that in 80 percent of cases of people who get the disease, it is mild. Ten percent is more serious, and five percent is a crisis. This small group is in need of ventilation and even has a chance of death. Until now, it seemed that it was no different from what we know as a flu. However, what we now see in Italy is slightly different. Mortality is higher there. We don’t understand it well. It may be that the average age is higher there, it may be that the test course is different, it may also be that there is a higher degree of people at risk. But what is also possible is that the virus has changed in the course of the epidemic and that mutations are now occurring. We do not know. We cannot judge it well because the information from Italy is very sparse. And we now also see the situation in Italy, in the Netherlands.”
That is why the government decided to take the measure immediately – at least for a period of two weeks.
The virus is being spread at the same rate and the necessary measures have been taken in the Netherlands. This was announced by the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
“If the disease continues to develop in the Netherlands, such as in Italy, this could mean problems for us. If we wait and take no action, it can even have serious consequences. That is why we have now taken this measure and we are monitoring developments in the meantime. If the measure has to be adapted gradually, we will do that,” says the epidemiologist.
