ABC Islands (Netherlands)

The ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) are parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Governance and the Rule of Law

Aruba

• The government has implemented lockdown measures including a curfew and limits on gatherings, and frequently updates these restrictions as cases increase or decrease.
• Masks are required where social distancing is not possible, bars and nightclubs are closed, and restaurants have capacity limits.
• Aruba has reopened borders to all countries except Venezuela, Brazil, and South Africa. The restrictions on Venezuela were in place before the pandemic, while the restriction on Brazil and South Africa are in place to prevent the spread of new variants.
• Tourists are required to complete an Embarkation/Disembarkation card, present a negative COVID test, and purchase the Aruba Visitors Insurance plan offered by the government in order to travel to the country. 
• In order to receive emergency funding from the Netherlands, Aruba agreed to a series of reforms, including large pay cuts for public sector employees and additional financial oversight. The agreement has raised concerns that the Netherlands would have too much control and Aruba would lose some of its autonomy. 
• Aruba administered its first COVID-19 vaccines on February 17th. All residents 18+ are encouraged to register for appointments.
• As of late April, the island is on track to vaccinate everyone by the end of June.

Bonaire

• Bonaire continues to monitor cases and update safety measures and closures as necessary. Capacity limits, curfews, and mask regulations are in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
• Travel restrictions are changing constantly as cases rise and fall around the world. As of late April, travelers from 10 countries have no restrictions or requirements while the majority of travelers from the rest of the world must obtain a negative PCR test before arriving on the island. Those from high-risk regions must quarantine upon arrival in addition to obtaining negative results.
• St. Eustatius and Saba have formed a travel bubble with Bonaire so residents can move freely between the islands. 
• Direct flights from certain high-risk countries have been banned in order to reduce tourism. However, residents of those countries are still allowed into Bonaire if they arrange non-direct flights or other methods of transportation.
• The island has collaborated with the Netherlands to receive vaccines and develop a plan to administer them. Everyone over 18 is encouraged to get vaccinated.
• Both online and telephone options exist for individuals to register for vaccine appointments.

Curaçao

• Curaçao quickly implemented safety regulations such as curfews, capacity limits, and distancing rules when the pandemic began and continues to update rules as the number of cases changes. 
• Businesses caught violating COVID-19 guidelines have faced consequences such as fines and temporary closure.
• The island has reopened to travelers from all countries. Visitors must fill out a Passenger Locator Card, and travellers from high risk countries must present a negative PCR COVID-19 test on arrival and obtain a rapid test on their third day on the island. 
• In order to promote tourism, restaurants and bars that are in hotels are allowed to stay open past the mandated closer time, but they must restrict patrons to only hotel guests. 
• Curaçao began distributing COVID-19 vaccines on February 24th, starting with those over 60 years old. Appointments opened to all residents in April and the country hopes to reach 85% vaccinated, the amount required for herd immunity, by the end of May.
• Elections were held on March 19th via in-person vote casting. Voters were recommended to return home immediately after voting and election parties, parades, and other celebrations were cancelled.
• New applications for work permits for foreign workers will no longer be accepted. Local unemployment is at 40%.
• The 2019 annual accounts of the island’s finances have been rejected by the Court of Audits because they are significantly over the allocated budget and do not follow appropriate regulations.

See Select Resources for Governance and the Rule of Law

---

Growth and Innovation

Aruba

• Aruba has partnered with JetBlue to provide at-home testing for travelers 72 hours before they depart for the island. 
• The Department of Public Health (DVG) has created the Aruba Health App to increase efficiency in pandemic times, monitor COVID-19-test results, provide health information, register residents for vaccines, and report on businesses which are making efforts to be especially safe. 
• To reopen the country to tourism and keep citizens safe, the government has implemented the Aruba Health and Happiness Code, which creates a standard set of health regulations for hospitality businesses to follow. 
• The government has also implemented a relief package for those who have lost their jobs during the pandemic and for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
• The Aruba Tourism Authority has worked with hotels and resorts to create unified discounts and cancelation policies to attract tourists for special events such as weddings or extended vacations.

Bonaire

• Tourism makes up 50-70% of the island’s GDP. 
• In preparation for COVID-19 recovery, Bonaire is focusing on transitioning from mass tourism to quality tourism, corresponding to their Strategic Tourism Plan and Blue Destination concept. 
• With the Nature and Environmental Policy Plan for Caribbean Netherlands 2020-2030, the country plans to preserve and protect nature by increasing legal protections for certain spaces in order to keep the tourism industry sustainable. 
• The Bonaire Health and Tourism Association has created Bonaire Culinair, a designated week in November in which participating restaurants offer 3-course meals at a set price to encourage dining out.
• The Netherlands has extended financial support measures for residents and businesses until July 12, 2021. Over 45% of businesses have utilized government assistance to cover wage costs and fixed overhead. 
• Companies and organizations can set up clinics to vaccinate all their staff at once.

Curaçao

• Curaçao was facing economic struggles before the pandemic began, putting it in a difficult position when COVID-19 shut down tourism. 
• The Netherlands and Curaçao have agreed to create the Caribbean Reform Entity (CHE) as a condition of Curaçao receiving COVID-19 relief loans from The Netherlands. The CHE will work to reform the Curaçao economy and invest in development. 
• Curaçao has developed an app specifically for tourists to stay updated on safety guidelines and closures during the pandemic. 
• Though borders began to reopen in June 2020, the tourism industry is not expected to recover to its 2019 levels until 2023. 
• AirBnB and the Caribbean Tourism Association are launching a joint-campaign to promote tourism to the several islands in the region, including Curaçao. 
• Cruise ships plan to return to the island by June 5st, which would be a significant boost for tourism.

See Select Resources for Growth and Innovation

---

Social and Cultural Inclusion

Aruba

• The government has released COVID-19 infographics and guidelines outlining procedures such as caring for vulnerable people and proper quarantine measures. These resources are available in Dutch, English, Spanish, and the local language, Papiamento. Releases in multiple languages ensure access to all citizens and visitors on the island. 
• Union di Organiscaionnan Cultural Arubano (UNOCO), a local arts organization, created the “UNOCO CARES” project in order to stimulate cultural and creative content. The fund awarded 25 grants during May and June, and announced a second round in September. 
• The government created a phone line for undocumented residents to receiving free testing and safety guidance.
• Undocumented residents have faced trouble getting the vaccine due to passport and ID requirements.
• Medical experts and government officials are using a combination of social media, printed sources, road signs, newspapers, radio, TV and websites to distribute information.
• Parliament voted in favor of a new civil code, which includes the right to civil unions for same sex couples.

Bonaire

• Stay at home orders as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are straining family tensions. Youth care professionals have been working to place children into safe environments, increase awareness of the troubles vulnerable children might be experiencing, and teach neighbors and bystanders how to help children who might be in unsafe conditions. 
• Organizations such as Family Supervision Caribbean Netherlands (GCN) provide support for children and families. By reducing stress and risk factors in the families and helping parents deal with addiction, psychiatric problems, or aggression, GCN hopes to increase safety for children at home. 
• The Bonaire government has provided lifestyle advice on topics such as mental health, family relations, nutrition, and social interaction to help residents cope with lockdown measures.  
• The Bonarean Employees union is advocating for the 1,000 euro bonus given to healthcare workers in the European Netherlands to be extended to healthcare workers in the Dutch Caribbean.
• Individuals living in Bonaire on work visas that have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have insufficient means to support themselves, and have not lived in the Caribbean Netherlands for the past 5 years were required to return to their countries of origin at the start of 2021.
• Everyone on Bonaire for an extended period of time, including travelers and undocumented residents, is eligible to receive the vaccine. 
• Community outreach teams are traveling to local communities in order to vaccinate all populations.

Curaçao

• Through the U.S. Consulate General and Spirit of America, the United States gave Curaçao financial assistance that fed 500 vulnerable people, including displaced Venezuelans, for several weeks. 
• The aid organization Aliansa is reporting increased rates of domestic and sexual violence during the lockdown. 
• The government is exploring new food distribution programs after the Red Cross and Food Bank stopped coordinating food aid.
• The Minister of Justice introduced a new policy so that undocumented immigrants can stay on the island while applying for permanent residency instead of returning to their home country as they had to do under the previous policy. 
• Undocument immigrants are eligible to receive the vaccine without threat of deportation. Immigration officials and police will not be monitoring vaccine sites for undocumented immigrants.
• Mobile vaccine busses are traveling to different neighborhoods in order to increase vaccination rates.

See Select Resources for Social and Cultural Inclusion

---

Select resources for the ABC Islands:

Governance and the Rule of Law:

ARUBA:

Aruba. (n.d.). Traveller Health Requirements. https://www.aruba.com/us/traveler-health-requirements.

Aruba COVID-19. (n.d.). Decisions of the Government of Aruba. https://www.arubacovid19.org/ddg.

Migracion Aruba. (n.d.). ED Card. https://edcardaruba.aw/.

U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao. (n.d.). COVID-19 Information. https://cw.usconsulate.gov/news-events/covid-19-information/.

BONAIRE:

Bonaire International Airport. (n.d.). News. http://www.bonaireinternationalairport.com/.

Info Bonaire. (n.d.). News. https://www.infobonaire.com/the-bonaire-insider-tourism-news/.

Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. (n.d.). Latest Q&As. https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/covid-19/latest-qas.

U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao. (n.d.). COVID-19 Information. https://cw.usconsulate.gov/news-events/covid-19-information/.

CURAÇAO:

Caribbean Network. (n.d.). Curaçao. https://gobiernu.cw/corona-travel-to-curacao/.

Curaçao (n. d.). Travel Updates. https://www.curacao.com.

Gobièrnu di Kòrsou (n. d.). Traveling to Curaçao https://gobiernu.cw/corona-travel-to-curacao/.

U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao. (n.d.). COVID-19 Information. https://cw.usconsulate.gov/news-events/covid-19-information/.

Worldometer. (n.d.). Curaçao Coronavirus Cases. Retrieved July 31, 2020 from, https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/curacao/.

Growth and Innovation:

ARUBA:

Oduber, D. (n.d.) Implementing the COVID-19 Vaccination Program. https://8f39937c-2835-4a9d-b0e9-4a8971f34620.filesusr.com/ugd/1a09f9_5e9d82dc5ffc4986b08309bdf17c6e22.pdf.

BONAIRE:

Davis, S. (2020, June 25). Bonaire’s Future Tourism- Expand Eco-Tourism. https://www.infobonaire.com/bonaires-future-tourism-expand-eco-tourism/.

CURAÇAO:

Curaçao Chronicle. (2020, July 24). The countries in the Dutch Kingdom should work closely together on a medium-term adjustment plan. https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/main/the-countries-in-the-dutch-kingdom-should-work-closely-together-on-a-medium-term-adjustment-plan/.

————. (2020, October 7). Curaçao government: “We have reached an agreement with the Netherlands.” https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/curacao-government-we-have-reached-an-agreement-with-the-netherlands/.

————. (n.d.). Main News. http://curacaochronicle.com/category/main/.

International Monetary Fund. (2020, July 13). IMF Staff Concludes Staff Visit to Curaçao and Sint Maarten. https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2020/07/13/pr20256-curacao-and-sint-maarten-imf-staff-concludes-staff-visit.

Social and Cultural Inclusion:

ARUBA:

Aruba. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Retrieved July 31, 2020 from, https://www.facebook.com/watch/ArubaFans/.

Aruba COVID-19. (n.d.). Protocols. https://www.arubacovid19.org/protocols.

Pinto, J. L. (2020, September 24). A cry for help: Aruba’s creative industries in need. Aruba Today. https://www.arubatoday.com/a-cry-for-help-arubas-creative-industries-in-need/.

BONAIRE:

Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland. (n.d.). Children at Home. https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/covid-19/latest-qas/children-at-home.

————. (n.d.). Vulnerable Children. https://english.rijksdienstcn.com/covid-19/latest-qas/vulnerable-children.

Ricks, D. (2020, September 23). Combating the coronavirus. Bonaire Reporter, 1. https://bonairereporter.com/current_issue/current.pdf.

CURAÇAO:

Curaçao Chronicle. (2020, July 24). U.S. helps Caribbean countries fight COVID-19. https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/us-helps-caribbean-countries-fight-covid-19/.

————. (2020, October 6). Aliansa is sounding the alarm for domestic violence. https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/aliansa-is-sounding-the-alarm-for-domestic-violence/.

Noticias Curaçao. (2021, February 19). Principal. http://portal.noticiascurazao.com.