COVID-19 pandemic in Aruba
 | This article is about a current disease pandemic where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. |
| 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Aruba | |
|---|---|
| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Aruba |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Arrival date | 13 March 2020 (4 years, 7 months, 3 weeks and 2 days) |
| Confirmed cases | 8 |
| Recovered | 0 |
Deaths | 0 |
The 2019-2020 coronavirus pandemic was documented for the first time in Aruba on 13 March 2020.
Timeline
On 13 March 2020, Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on the island.[1]
As a result, the country restricted entry of all individuals coming from Europe via air and seaports – starting on 15 March and in effect until 31 March – with the exception of those who are Aruban citizens.[1] They also suspended public and private school classes for the week of March 16, as well as all large-scale public gatherings.
On March 15, 2020, at approximately 8pm AST, Aruba's Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced that there would be a lockdown on all inbound international travel commencing at midnight of March 16, 2020 and ending on March 31, 2020. An exception to this inbound travel lockdown would be granted to Aruba residents. A travel advisory would also be instituted for residents, advising against outbound travel at this time. To this date Aruba had two confirmed Corona Virus cases. It is important to note that this lockdown does not apply to outbound travel for international travelers currently in Aruba – they will be able to take their return flight home.
On March 16 to 17th the 3rd case of the coronavirus was reported, a doctor who recently travelled to New York for her vacation. She did not show any symptoms, but was tested, and the results of the test showed she was positive for the virus.
March 17, 2020 – Fourth case of coronavirus announced. Aruba’s Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes has just announced a fourth case of COVID-19 coronavirus in Aruba. The person who tested positive for the coronavirus is a tourist.
March 20, 2020 – Fifth case of coronavirus announced. The patient is an employee of the airport, who arrived back from New York, where he was on vacation. This was discovered a day after there was public protest over the lack of measures on the airport to protect employees against contagion.[2]
Public measures
March 15, 2020 - It was decided to close schools for the week of 16 to 20 of March. In actual effect this would only be a close of an additional two school days, since 18,19 and 20 were already closed in lieu of the national holiday (Aruban Flag day March 18).
March 17, 2020 - It was decided to close all schools until the end of March, 2020. Note this was only two days after the previous order to close schools for only one week. Schools are asked to make a plan for online education to minimize impact.[3]
March 19, 2020 - As of March 21, 2020 an indefinite curfew was set, from 9PM until 6AM every day. Violations can be met with fines up to AWG 10,000 (over USD 5000). In addition all shops need to be closed by 8PM every day.[4] The country is in 'lockdown' meaning all travel of persons to the island is prohibited. Empty planes are still allowed to land in order to take people, e.g. tourists, off the island in order to return home.[5]
References
- ^ a b "DOS CASO DI CORONAVIRUS NA ARUBA DI CUAL UN TA ARUBIANO". 24ora.com (in Papiamento). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
- ^ "24 luchthavenmedewerkers uit voorzorg in quarantaine". Amigoe Aruba. Amigoe. 20 March 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Enseñansa Aruba". 21 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Curfew on Aruba starting March 21, 2020". Gobierno.aw - official government website. 19 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Official Aruba COVID-19 response website". 21 March 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
https://www.visitaruba.com/news/general/corona-virus-and-travel-to-aruba/