The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), hereby makes known that all businesses throughout Dutch St. Maarten are allowed to open on January 1st.
The Council of Ministers in their recent meeting of December 23rd decided to give a temporary dispensation to all businesses based on the Shop Closure National Ordinance. Businesses are allowed to open at their own discretion according to their regular opening hours for January 1st.
Employers are also reminded that if they choose to open on January 1st, employees have the right to proper compensation as regulated by law and should be respected.
The exemption for the opening is based on the number of cruise ships that will be in port on January 1st.
Various businesses throughout the country that offer services to our tourism-based economy will have the opportunity to cater to our valued visitors.