Stayathome order in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. No permits for parties in December

Due to the growing number of COVID19 infections in the past couple of days, the government has decided to take two urgent precautionary measures. As of December 15 the stayathome order is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. The second measure prohibits people from assembling in groups of more than 20 people. The government will also beef up its border patrols along the border with neighboring French Guiana. It also will not issue any permits for parties in December. The government has also scrapped its decision to give green light to outdoor events. The annual fire cracker relay that takes place on December 31 has been cancelled this year. The government will also beef up inspections at locations where fireworks are sold. Health Minister Amar Ramadhin explained that the government wanted to ease some of the measures due to the drop in the number of COVID19 cases. But the government has changed its mind due to the fact that the number of infections has gone from zero to six or ten per day. The source of the new infections has been traced to Brazilians from French Guiana, Brazilians from the gold mining fields and infections that take place at events. “The number of parties is growing. The rules are being broken at a growing number of locations. We know that people are in a party mood but I want to emphasize that we will lose countrymen if this behavior does not change. More people will end up in the hospitals and die,” said Minister

Ramadhin who added that the situation could turn into a catastrophe. Due to the developments in the Netherlands the government will adjust its current air traffic policy. “We urge you to choose for safety, the health of our fellow man and keeping Surinamese people alive. The government will also cancel or postpone activities that had already been scheduled. We all have to make sacrifices.”