The COVID-19 pandemic in Aruba is part of the ongoing global viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which was documented for the first time in Aruba on 13 March 2020. As of 29 May, all cases recovered.
13 March 2020 – Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes announced the first two confirmed cases of coronavirus on the island.As a result, the country restricted entry of all individuals coming from Europe via air and seaports – starting on March 15 and in effect until 31 March – with the exception of those who are Aruban citizens.They also suspended public and private school classes for the week of 16 March, as well as all large-scale public gatherings.
A travel advisory would also be instituted for residents, advising against outbound travel at this time. To this date Aruba had two confirmed coronavirus cases. It is important to note that this lockdown does not apply to outbound travel for international travelers currently in Aruba – they will be able to take their return flight home. 21 March 2020 – Three more cases have been announced, bringing the total to eight. It concerns two people from outside of Aruba (one from New York and one from Miami). The third case is possibly the first locally transmitted case.
22 March 2020 – A ninth case is now known to be a CMB employee, who had returned from travel to the USA. He has been to work only a relatively short time and has had no contact with customers. CMB has now closed the branch until further notice.23 March 2020 – Again three more cases have been announced. They are two locally transmitted cases, and one brought to Aruba from Colombia.24 March 2020 – Five new cases are reported, bringing the total to 17 now. Though this looks like a big jump the testing has been increased from 20 persons to 40 per day. Of these 5 cases, three are locally transmitted.
27 March 2020 – Five new cases on this day are reported, bringing the island to 33 cases. All of those are locally transmitted case, and one of those working at Respaldo, where people were infected a day before.28 March 2020 – Thirteen new cases have been reported, the highest to date, with a current total of 46 now. There is no record yet as to the origin of these new cases.29 March 2020 – Only four new cases this day (total 50). A possible cause is the effect of public measures that started 15 March.7 April 2020 – 3 new cases, bringing the total to 74 now. 14 people have recovered, so the total number of active cases is 60.The Ministry 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.
28 April 2020 – 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 from Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba and proceed to Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale.29 April 2020 – The budget for 2020 was approved in Parliament and a supplement was added lowering the salaries by 25% until the end of 2020.30 April 2020 – The schools will not reopen on 11 May. 5 August 2020 – There was a dramatic jump in active cases after 39 cases of community spread were discovered.8 August 2020.
15 March 2020 – It was decided to close schools for the week of 16 to 20 of March. In actual effect this would only be a close of an additional two school days, since 18, 19 and 20 were already closed in lieu of the national holiday (Aruban Flag Day 18 March). On 17 March, it was expanded to the end of March. Schools are asked to make a plan for online education to minimize impact. 7 April 2020 – The government of Aruba strengthens the current shelter in place for the Easter weekend.On these days all businesses will be closed, with exception of take-away service at restaurants, drive thru and delivery, gas stations, doctors and pharmacies.
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