Restrictions again

[robin]

I saw this on FB(yes, I should be outside but waiting for dryer repair).


During a government press conference this morning, the following was announced:
Consistent pattern of new cases in past days. (There are 39 new cases today). Increase in positivity rate. Tendency for people to delay/avoid getting tested when they have symptoms. Residents are traveling and returning with the virus. Many locals are getting infected in a family setting. Amount of people that do not follow rules and attend clandestine parties is increasing lately. This pattern is similar to the situation Aruba was in prior to the large August COVID wave.

New measures for December 30 - January 3rd are:
Closing time 10pm for all establishments (except hotels). Musicians are only allowed inside establishments and with no dancing. Musicians and establishment are responsible for client behavior.

Pagarra at businesses:
Allowed until 3pm on Dec 31st. (At homes it is allowed after 3pm) Curfew (TDQ): 11pm - 5am.

Exception:
Dec 31/Jan 1 curfew starts at 2am Jan 1 instead of 11pm on Dec 31.

Home visits:
Limit to max 10 inside (if distancing is possible), and max 25 in yard (if distancing is possible).

Dande:
Dandes are discouraged because they visit various homes and take off masks to sing. (Put a pause on culture to protect health and economy).

Restaurants:
Clients must be seated at tables, maximum 8 at tables. (Clients cannot be standing in long lines waiting for tables and agglomerate. 5 max waiting outside, at 1.5m distance). Establishment owners, management, and compliance officers are responsible for clients to follow rules inside and outside.

[Andrea J.]

thanks for posting Robin
I just received them as well.

[schexc]

The way the active cases have been increasing, it was only a matter of time. I would expect it to continue to get worse over the next few weeks.

[robin]

The way the active cases have been increasing, it was only a matter of time. I would expect it to continue to get worse over the next few weeks.

I hope not.

[bhoffdhoff]

I hope not.

I hope not too!

[Traceyd14]

Am I the only person who is annoyed with the New Year’s Eve exception? If the curfews work and you are trying to discourage gathering behavior, why would you loosen restrictions on a night that people have more reason to gather?

[annf]

I'm with you Tracey...but here it would be a useless battle! There is also a midnight beach curfew....not sure there are enough enforcement officers to control the beaches!

[WaltVB]

I agree with annf, you have to pick your battles to win the war. Let them have New Year's Eve, but clamp down on New Year's Day. Enforcement would be impossible on NYE, so why cause the hate and discontent? Prepare for the inevitable increase, and maybe consider stricter assembly and curfew laws down the road.

[robin]

The current restrictions are until Jan. 3 I think which is Sunday. I have a feeling it is going to get a lot stricter again once the tourist that came in for the holiday are off the island.

[Pegmeister]

My feeling is no one will take the restrictions seriously if they are willing to loosen them because it’s a holiday. It just takes one super spreader event to make many people sick. It’s just not worth the risk.