Kralendijk/Oranjestad- Both in Bonaire and St. Eustatius the government has issued a prohibition as to the customary Easter camping on the beach.

The measures on Bonaire were made known this afternoon during a press conference given by Island Governor Edison Rijna and deputy Island Governor Curvin George.

“We have decided to broaden the emergency ordinance to include a prohibition on camping”, said Rijna about the measure, while also adding that the measure was taken in close consultation with the Ministery of Health and Environment (RIVM).

St. Eustatius

A similar measure was communicated by Government Commissioner Marnix van Rij on St. Eustatius. “It is with much regret that I have taken the decision to cancel all Easter Celebrations”, according to Van Rij. Van Rij said he was aware that the customer Easter celebrations on St. Eustatius were culturally very important, but would simply be ‘irresponsible’ in light of the current Corona crisis.

“Having around 400 people on the beach in Lower Town during no less than 4 days could even be considered dangerous. We must sacrifice this event this year to safeguard all the Easters to come”, said Van Rij who added he hoped that people realized how much he regretted having to convey this message to the residents of the island.