These Are The New Coronavirus Measures in Aruba
Aruba will have new coronavirus measures as of April 26, 2021.
The Aruban Government eased the current rules and regulations, because the amount of infections on the island has reduced significantly, and the amount of people receiving vaccinations is increasing daily.
The new measurements announced by the Government include:
New Closing Hours
A change in closing hours (retail stores & supermarkets) 10.00 pm (before it was 9:00 pm) – The Public Health Department will review measures for restaurant closing hours on May 15, 2021.
Toque de Queda (Curfew)
Curfew is now set to 11:00 pm (before it was 10:00 pm)
Gebiedsverbod (area prohibition)
It is not allowed to be on the beach, parking lots and public area’s after 7.30 pm (before this was at 7:00 pm)
Fitness Centers
Gyms are allowed to open again with strict protocols.
The new coronavirus measures will be effective as of April 26, 2021 until further review and announcements by the Government.
Locals Continue To Vaccinate To Reach Herd Immunity
In an effort to reach herd immunity on the island, the government of Aruba is organizing a vaccination marathon, locally dubbed as vacunathon.
The vaccination marathon takes place on April 24 – 25, 2021.
It’s expected that over 10.000 locals will receive their first vaccination during the two days of the vacunathon (Pfizer).
This is part of the Government’s vision to vaccinate 85% of the island population in order to reach herd immunity and help Aruba recover from the coronavirus crisis.
The vacunathon is only for locals who are receiving the first dose of vaccination.
The community is responding well to the new movement “ban vacuna” in Papiamento “Let’s vaccinate”.
As of April 24, 2021 over 49.351 locals have already received their first shot of vaccination (Pfizer).
The state of vaccination in Aruba as of April 24, 2021:
- Amount of locals registered to get vaccinated: 56.318
- Amount of locals with 1st dose: 29.423
- Amount of locals with 2nd dose: 19.928
- Total vaccinations applied: 69.279
On The Road To Aruba’s Electoral Debate 2021
The Aruban Government of Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Coes offered its resignation to the governor of the island a few weeks ago.
That decision was made after the Public Prosecution Service in Aruba announced that a criminal investigation is taking place into the misuse of money by one of the Governments coalition party.
Aruba’s Chamber of Commerce, together with the University of Aruba is organizing a electoral debate, before the new Government election in June.
This debate is a chance for locals and everyone who is interested to hear representatives of different political parties discuss various relevant and critical topics concerning the island at the moment.
Topics that will be debated are economic, public finance, labour, healthcare system, tourism, justice, school system, social situations.
The debate will take place on June 3 & 13, 2021.
Both debates can be seen on local TV and you can also follow it online via Live Streaming (a link to debate will be shared as soon as it is available).
Occupancy Rates at Timeshare Resorts in Aruba
According to the President of Aruba Timeshare Association, this hotel industry is still strong, even at the start and during the pandemic.
Visitors that own timeshare in Aruba were the last to leave the island, when the pandemic started, and the first to arrive in Aruba when traveling was possible again.
Tourism is starting to pick up in Aruba again, with over 45.000 visitors in March 2021. It’s estimated that over 40% of Aruba’s current visitors are timeshare owners.
At the moment, timeshare hotels have a 60% room occupancy rate, which is lower than usual, but still good considering the pandemic situation.
The occupancy rate for timeshares in Aruba are higher compared to non timeshare resorts and Airbnb’s at the moment.
Costa Linda resort is one of the timeshare hotels in Aruba that has the highest room occupancy rate currently, set at 86%.
Aruba’s timeshare owners are the heart of the island travel industry.
Thank you for making Aruba, your home away from home.
Chef Matt Boland Leaves Hilton Resort
Award winning Chef Matt Boland announced his retirement at Hilton Aruba after working as executive chef since December 2017.
Matt Boland was part of the culinary team at various restaurants and resorts on the island, including Radisson and Hilton.
Hilton’s famed steakhouse, Sunset Grille, became a Triple A Four Diamond restaurant, under the leadership of Matt Boland.
Sunset Grille is one of the only two restaurants with this achievement in Aruba.
Matt has secured Sunset Grille as one of the visitors favorite places on the island.
He achieved exactly what he said he was going to do, when he took on the responsibility to work at Hilton as executive Chef – develop a fresh concept for Gilligan’s Beach Bar & Grill, the resorts seaside restaurant, and continue to nurture and expend the steakhouse experience at the Sunset Grill with innovation and cutting edge tasting dishes.
According to Chef Matt Boland, he’s going on a new journey to fulfill his personal endeavors.
Friendly Reminder: It’s Not Allowed To Bring Home Beach Sand or Seashells
Airport custom agents are still intercepting many visitors who are returning home with seashells, beach sand, and corals.
The amount of corals, seashells, and beach sand confiscated lately by the custom agents is alarming.
It might seem fun and innocent to bring beach sand or sea shells back home as a souvenir, but this is illegal, and you can get fined.
According to the international treaty CITES and Aruba’s local laws, it’s prohibited to remove or export seashells, corals and beach sand from the island.
If you decide to take home any item that belongs to Aruba’s environment, you may be confronted with a fine and get the items confiscated when checking in for departure.
This is not a pleasant experience when departing Aruba.
Let’s remember to respect Aruba’s nature and protect the environment.
Play Ball! – Aruba’s “Big Baseball League” Finally Starts
The grand opening and official start of Aruba’s “big league” baseball season took place on April 24, 2021.
Now you can see Aruban athletes play baseball on live streams, or watch the games in the stands if you happen to be in Aruba during the season games.
The baseball games will take place until June 20, 2021.
There’s also an All Star game on May 29, 2021.
The Big League category is for players between the ages of 16 – 19 years old.
Different districts around the island registered their teams for this new season, including but not limited to North League (North Indians and Hammersharks), Center League (Quality Chiropractic Grasshoppers and Gillette Stars) and the South League (White Sharks).
If you’re in Aruba during the big league season, you can watch a game of baseball and see what talent Aruba has to offer. Maybe you’ll see one of these aspiring players in the MLB soon.
Here’s a schedule preview of the big league games.
- April – 25
- May – 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23
- May – 29 (All Star Game)
- June – 5,6,12 (Playoffs)
- June – 13, 19, 20 (Finals)
Click here’s to see the latest schedule for the big league games in 2021.
Stormy Hurricane Season Expected in 2021
Forecasters are expecting another wild hurricane season in 2021, after record setting 2020.
Last year’s hurricane season was the most active on record with 13 hurricanes and 30 storms. Six major hurricanes were ranked category 3 or higher.
Weather experts are predicting numerous tropical storms during the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, in terms of activity.
If predictions are correct, this year will have 17 storms (average is 12 per season), 8 hurricanes (average is 4 per season), and 4 major hurricanes (average is 2 per season).
They also predict that 1 of those major hurricanes can possibly affect the Caribbean region.
Aruba is usually safe from storms and hurricanes, because the island is located safely outside of the hurricane belt.
If you’re looking for a safe place during the story times, visit Aruba.
Hurricane season starts June 1, 2021 until November 30, 2021.
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