TheCOVID-19 pandemic in Bonaire was part of the ongoing globalviral pandemic ofcoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was confirmed to have reached theDutch Caribbean island ofBonaire on 16 April 2020. On 28 April, all cases recovered.[2] On 14 July, two new cases were discovered.[3] On 13 August, all cases recovered.[1]
Bonaire is only a small island with a population of 20,915 people,[9] and testing for COVID-19 is in limited supply. They have both PCR and antigen testing.[10]
On 14 March,[11] Bonaire closed to international travel, and cruise ships were also banned.[12][13] Outbound and local travel between theABC Islands was allowed.[11] Curaçao cancelled all travel except for local residents, freight and medical specialists as from 16 March.[14]
On 25 March, eight medical specialists from theAcademic Medical Center inAmsterdam were sent to the hospital on Bonaire and two air ambulances have been sent.[15]
On 5 April, the schools in Bonaire have been closed. There were still some students doing their exams who still had to perform a verbal examination. Those examinations will continue in groups of 10.[16]
As of 7 April, 26 tests had been performed which were all negative.[17] TheMinistry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands stated that the six islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint-Eustatius, Sint Maarten) closely cooperate to ensure essential health care and that the Dutch government is negotiating withColombia for specialized care.[18]
On 10 April, respirators, medicine and protective equipment were flown to Aruba,Bonaire andCuraçao by the Dutch government. The shipment will contain 6 ICU beds for Bonaire.[19] The current ICU capacity at Hospital San Francisco is 15 beds.[20]
On 14 April, the first group of the 250 inhabitants of Bonaire who were stranded abroad were to be repatriated.[17]
On16 April,Edison Rijna,Island Governor ofBonaire announced the first case of COVID-19 on the island. The patient who had mild symptoms was tested several times and the result was inconclusive. The patient had visited Aruba several weeks before.[22]
On 17 April, the first two airplanes with repatriates arrived in Bonaire. Quite a number of people including Rijna watched the arrival also because it was the first time[23] a largeBoeing 777 landed onFlamingo International Airport.[24] The repatriates will be quarantined for 14 days.[23]
On 20 April, a second case was announced. The patient had been in contact with the first case who has already recovered.[25]
On 22 April, a semi-permanent field hospital has arrived in Sint Eustatius, and will be used for COVID-19 patients in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. The field hospital consists of six ICU beds and is expected be operational on 15 May.[27]
On 25 April, the Press has been invited to be present at the Island Policy Team (EBT) which has been setup to manage the crisis. The ETB consists of the Island Governor, a delegation of the blue team (police), white team (health care), red team (fire department) and orange team (civil service).[28] In order to alleviate the economic hardship, the fixed tariff for electricity and water will be set to zero, and the price of internet will be set to $25.- from 1 May until the end of the year. The island will also receive €200,000 food aid.[29]
On28 April, the last active person recovered. Bonaire currently has no active cases.[2] The US Consulate has arranged for a repatriation flight on 10 May for American citizens stranded on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The plane will leave fromQueen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba and proceed toHollywood International Airport inFort Lauderdale.[30] Governor Edison Rijna announced that the current measures will be mitigated including school closure in a gradual fashion, but the borders will remain closed. The details will be announced on 8 May. Rijna stresses that the people should abide to social distancing and not gather in big groups. 230 people have been tested up to now.[31][32] On 4 May it was announced that there will be a deconfinement from 6 May onwards.[33]
On 1 May, 24 residents were repatriated from Curaçao and Colombia. They were quarantined on arrival. Governor Rijna is working on repatriation of the residents stranded in the United States and there is a new group in the Netherlands.[34]
On 8 May, it was announced that residents stranded on Curaçao, Saba and St. Eustatius can return home, however they need the Governor's permission and need to quarantine for 14 days.[35]
On 14 July, two repatriates to Bonaire tested positive for COVID-19. Both persons were in quarantine.[3] Both had come fromPeru.[36]
On 16 July, a family member of the aforementioned two cases tested positive for COVID-19.[36]
On 30 July, the airport will be allowing planes from other Caribbean islands with a high prevalence of COVID-19 to shelter from the expected weather. Only the crew will be allowed on the plane, and have to go into mandatory quarantine at their own expense. Five planes fromPuerto Rico are expected in the coming days.[37]
The travel ban to North America was allowed to expire on January 15 the with flights beginning in early to mid February. All travelers are required to enter with a negative PCR test and a completed health screening.[38]
From 6 May onwards: gatherings with more than 50 people are still prohibited. Swimming, religious services, restaurants, bars and the casino are allowed again providing people obey to social distancing guidelines, and not allow more than 50 people on the premises.[33] Sex clubs, nightclubs, spas, and saunas will remain closed.[42]
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