COVID-19 rules: Dutch nationals refuse to comply

Dutch nationals who visit Suriname have been labelled as the biggest group of foreigners who refuse to follow the COVID-19 rules. Upon arrival in Suriname the Dutch nationals refuse to obey the mandatory quarantine rule. Some of them even bribe the security companies to look the other way so that they can leave their ‘homes’ to hit the streets. There are also groups that manage to sneak out of the Johan Adolf Pengel (JAP) International Airport once they have set foot in the country. Despite all of this Health Minister Amar Ramadhin explained that Surinamese people are tolerant and that no strict measures would be taken against these foreigners. “We get the most problems from Dutch nationals who object to the COVID-19 rules. They consequently refuse to follow the rules and regulations.” Minister Ramadhin said that officials rarely get complaints about the passengers who come from other places. “The people from the Netherlands think that they can do as they please in Suriname. We are aware of the people who sneak away and we also get complaints about the security firms that are sloppy. We try to communicate with the people to raise awareness about the dangers. We give them a chance to adjust their conduct,” said Minister Ramadhin who explained that no action can be taken against the violators because the people who file a complaint are reluctant to present hard proof. “There is no evidence.”