FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ENGLISH
on April 3, 2020
Most frequently asked question in our community.
Vital functions and processes during Shelter in Place and Curfew. Stay at home because we are not in a normal situation.
1). Can companies that sell computer parts stay open?
No. All will stay closed but if an essential entity such as the hospital needs computer parts a method will be created to supply the hospital with the parts.
2). Employers tell assistants in clothes stores they must work as usual. Is this allowed?
No. Clothes stores are not essential nor vital services. As from March 31, hardware stores will be closed to the public as well. They can only open on request.
3). Employers tell constructions workers they must work as usual. Is this allowed?
No. At this moment no construction is vital. If a construction must be considered vital, an exoneration can be requested and the ministry will evaluate the request.
4). Will cars continue to be inspected?
No. car inspection is not vital. As soon as it is possible, the government will invite people with an appointment during this period to have their cars inspected. This is a transitional period. Cars which have not been inspected a long time will be inspected.
5). Can garages for fixing tires, car parts, mechanical services stay open?
They can stay open only for vital services. Tire and crane services to the public can continue but they will be structured.
6). Must employees in offshore banking work at the office?
No. They must work at home. Companies must anticipate on the situation.
7). I have to take care of a few elderly people? How can I arrange this?
This kind of caretaking falls under ‘Social care’. The rule is that only 1 person will leave home to offer care. Via www.soaw.mobi caretakers can register for this.
8). Can distribution companies continue to function and how?
Yes, but they will do so only to serve vital organisations and companies, for instance, supermarkets, minimarkets, tokos, pharmacies. We are in a different situation with COVID-19 so these companies also have to adapt their services.
9). Can financial institutions such as Money Gram, Western Union stay open?
Financial Institutions are essential but they have to adapt their services. The starting point is: only for clients to give/receive money.
10). Is podotherapy a vital function in the health care sector?
Podotherapy is important but it is not vital at this moment. Only medically urgent cases and urgent case in care are essential.
11). Are people allowed to throw garbage in Malpais in this period?
No, only Selikor will give this service, also to dispose of animal carcasses.
12). Can package and postal services stay open?
Yes. They are essential but they must minimize their services and only make deliveries.
13). Do planters need a permit to work on the plantation. Is cattle breeding allowed?
Agriculture and cattle breeding are vital so they can continue to be performed and an exoneration can be requested.
14). Are cesspool companies exonerated?
Yes. They are essential to general health.
15). Can maintenance companies giving services to vital and essential sectors stay open?
Yes, but they must only be on stand by.
16 Can emergency maintenance work take place to avoid e.g. vandalism?
Yes, but only when the workers are called and for vital processes.
17). Can transportation companies for vital and essential sectors continue to give service?
Yes, they can.
18). Who can leave home to buy food or do the shopping? When?
No restaurant is open so you cannot buy food. Only one person in each home can go to the supermarket. All supermarkets, minimarkets, tokos, bakeries must be closed at 7 pm.
19). How can you get your medicine at the pharmacy?
You can go to the pharmacy keeping the two-meter distance in mind.
20). Can medical and personal hygiene services be given as usual, for instance, dermatology, dental care, physiotherapy?
No. These services are not vital, only in cases of emergency.
21). Can companies continue to deliver supermarket products at home?
These companies can only deliver products from the supermarket. Dinner/lunch packages cannot be delivered. Persons can continue delivering dinner/lunch packages to vital places, to the elderly or the sick.
22). Will employees in boarding schools and homes for the elderly be exonerated?
Yes. They will be exonerated because their care is vital. Each organisation will issue a request for all employees.
23). Will cleaning services and personnel be exonerated in order to reach their work?
Only cleaning services and personnel who work at vital organisations. All organisations must ask for permission.
24). Personnel have to make inventories of products for businesses in the HORECA. Are these inventories vital?
No, they are not vital at the moment.
25). Can laundries be exonerated?
Laundries can be exonerated only to give service to vital institutions such as the hospital, not to the public.
26). Can religious organisations offer food to the homeless? If so, how can they be exonerated?
Only the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (SOAW) will regulate this service.
27). Are furniture stores allowed to deliver furniture?
No.
28). Are stores selling special articles such as batteries for medical equipment allowed to continue to be operational?
When vital institutes need your services they will contact you and they will arrange your permit so you can drive on the road.
29). Are eye doctors and opticians exonerated?
They are not open for the public, only for vital and urgent cases.
30). Are pool-maintenance and pool-cleaning services exonerated?
No. Everybody must clean and maintain their own pools. If the pools cause problems of hygiene you can contact G&GZ.
31). Are fruit stores allowed to stay open?
Yes. A fruit store falls under the ‘toko’ category. The rules for supermarkets, minimarkets and tokos apply to fruit stores.
32). Are employers allowed to call employees for an urgent meeting?
No. Only online meetings are possible.
33). Are stores for animal hygiene and care allowed to give services at home?
No, nowhere is this allowed. Only vets work in cases of emergency. Cattle-breeding is essential and a permit for this can be requested.
34). Are liquor stores allowed to deliver liquor at home after an order has been made?
No, only the companies that have an arrangement with supermarkets will do so.
35). Are fishermen allowed to sail out into the sea early in the morning and return home during day time?
Yes, but only the fishermen registered to do so. The coastguard will conduct checks on the basis of this list and fishermen are not allowed to sail outside the territorial waters.
36). Will health and alternative supplement stores stay open?
No, only pharmacies and supermarkets will give these services.
37). Are children who do not have internet at home allowed to follow their lessons in another home with internet?
No. all children must stay at home. Other methods will be applied so children can continue receiving education.
38). I do administrative work at a home for the elderly. Do I have to go to work?
If your work is essential you will have to go to work.
39). Are supermarkets allowed to deliver groceries at home?
Only supermarkets are allowed to do so. Payments in cash are not allowed. You must pay online or by means of a swiping machine.
The machine must be cleaned before and after use.
40). Will Curacao Port Services stay open?
Yes. CPS will give services to guarantee the supply of products.
41). Are companies selling ingredients to make bread allowed to stay open?
Yes. Companies can sell flour to supermarkets and bakeries to make bread. They must bear in mind the hygienic aspect and social distancing and they must minimize their services if possible.
42). How can guardianship be arranged among parents?
As the child has to be on the road as little as possible, it is advised to let children spend one week with mother and one week with father. The parents will make the final decision.
What is the decision by the Government of Curacao with regard to the closure of schools in relation to coronavirus?
On March 15, 2020, the Government of Curaçao has decided the following:
- All schools will close partially for 1 week (5 workdays) starting Tuesday March 17 till Monday March 23, 2020 as a precautionary measure.
- This measure applies to all schools from preschools on to high schools, including private schools. The measure does not apply to institutions of higher education which are encouraged to take the necessary precautions. Preschools which would like to discuss exceptions on the measure, must consult with the Ministry of Education.
- The risk of contamination for coronavirus is currently still very low and there is no widespread contamination. Schools have been closed only as a precautionary measure and to allow for time to prepare and increase safety and hygiene protocols, but there has been no increase in the risk of contamination in schools.
- Therefore, the government has decided on a partial closure. Groups and students who have to prepare for EFO tests (group 8) or exams in secondary schools are excluded from the decision in order to prevent them from falling behind and consequently suffering disproportional consequences in the long term. The risk of contamination by the virus in Curacao is not alarming, so the current situation does not require a full shutdown of schools.
- School officials and teachers must remain available throughout the school closure period. This means that certain tasks will continue in an adapted form to minimize the impact on education. Schools and teachers will use the time to be better prepared for all scenarios. All personnel must be available and they will receive instructions from the school principal, which could include the instruction to be present at school (e.g. for meetings for preparation and evaluation).
- This school closure measure will be evaluated on Thursday March 19, 2020. If necessary the Government of Curacao will announce a new decision based on the latest developments and the necessity to continue with or to extend the measures.
Why has the government closed schools as from Tuesday for students?
Currently the risk of contamination for coronavirus is low and there is no widespread contamination. Based on this fact, the government opted for a planned partial closure starting Tuesday march 17, 2020 except for groups who need to do the EFO exam (Group 8) or groups in secondary school who need to do tests or exams.The decisions is a measure of precaution to create time and space by reducing the agglomeration of students and persons so that schools are better prepared and they can increase their hygiene measures. It is important that school personnel and students attend school on Monday March 16 to learn about the latest information and preparation.
Why are schools closing partially and not for all classes?
The decision to close schools was precautionary and to allow for better preparation of schools with regards to Coronavirus. Classes and/or preparation for students that need to take their final examination or tests in primary school (Group 8) or secondary school will continue with the necessary precautionary measures, to minimize the disproportionate impact on the educational career of these students for the longer term. The decision is a measure of precaution to create time and space by reducing the agglomeration of students and persons so that schools are better prepared and they can increase their hygiene measures.
What does the school closure mean for school boards and schoolteachers?
The decision to close schools is a precautionary measure but the situation is not alarming at this moment. The risk of contamination of the virus has not increased drastically. School officials and teachers must remain available throughout the school closure period. This means that certain tasks will continue in an adapted form to facilitate a minimal impact on education. Schools and teachers will use the time to be better prepared for all scenarios. All school officials and teachers will be instructed by their respective school boards regarding availability and activities during the school closure and could be required to be physically available on school premises (for example for preparation or evaluation meetings).
What happens after the one-week closure?
This school closure measure will be evaluated on Thursday March 19, 2020. If necessary the Government of Curacao will announce new decisions based on the latest developments and the necessity to continue with or to extend the measures.
For more information you can contact the government via:
WhatsApp 5640440
Email: owcs.communicatie@gobiernu.cw
Follow the Facebook of the Government of Curacao
Website: www.gobiernu.cw.
