PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell Doncher on Tuesday announced that an exemption has been made to the official public holiday regulations to allow businesses to open on Christmas Day.
With two cruise ships in Port, with a complement of 5,000 people, the Minister said extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. She said government, the Port of St. Maarten, merchants, tour operators and other partners has worked diligently to ensure that the island is ready in December to welcome cruise visitors.
\"In a sense, we are playing catch up in the season to other destinations, so we cannot afford to not take advantages of every opportunity to open and do business,\" she said, adding that the exemption is for all businesses, not just those in Philipsburg.
The Minister reminded that all businesses that choose to open on this day – January 25th, 2016 – as part of this exemption, must still adhere to all labor regulations.
Press Release from the Ministry of ECYS
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/27770-businesses-allowed-to-open-on-christmas.html
