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Are online sho PHILIPSBURG – Following supermarkets, distributors on St. Maarten also offer the option of ordering food supplies for home delivery via WhatsApp. What can we expect next: a new platform for online shopping and delivery? Or will the drastic change in consumer demand stabilize once we flatten the curve? The ill wind of COVID-19 has blown a change so vast that it is hard to tell disaster from opportunity. The new dynamic is bringing some supermarkets unprecedented demand. The larger supermarkets are receiving hundreds of relatively large orders a day from people desperately trying to arrange to get food and drink deliveries for the weeks ahead. Not being able to cope with the demand, the supermarkets admit clients may have to wait three or four days before their groceries can be delivered. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs warns fol-
lowers on social media not to order at two or three supermarkets at the same time because that will slow operations even more. Supermarkets on St. Maarten are also facing other problems with delivery. As Kam’s FoodWorld explains: “When we went to deliver the groceries to customers, to our utter dismay, in certain areas we couldn’t locate the street name signs. This is a major hindrance for supermarkets to perform efficiently. It’s been noted that many neighborhoods do not have street signs perhaps since Irma. I do believe the situation we are in, will prompt continuous delivery services, and I request the government to please update the street signs, as it’s a necessity and added benefit for those old and new to find their way around the island.” Grocery delivery, with its ‘contactless’ drop-offs, was supposed to be the ultimate pandemic convenience. It promised to keep people at
#COVID-19 ESSENTIAL BUSINESS SHOPPING SCHEDULE Pe rs ons a re a l l owed to patronized Ba nks*, Ba keries, Grocery Stores, Pharmacies, Gas Stations and Cooking Gas Retailers within their residential zones.
Rules:
Shopping is only within your zone.
allowed
Designate one person within the household to shop.
Two persons allowed per vehicle. Passenger must ride behind the front passenger seat.
Wear masks (home made cloth masks allowed).
Walk with a shopping list.
Maintain social distancing.
Refrain from hugging, kissing and handshakes.
SHOPPING DAYS: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY 8 am – 6 pm
Zone A EAST OF COLE BAY HILL E.g. Philipsburg, Cay Hill etc.
Zone B WEST OF COLE BAY HILL E.g. Cole Bay, Simpson Bay etc.
SENIORS, DISABLED & PREGNANT WOMEN First Hour Opening 8 am - 9 aM Medical Appointments
Must show proof of appointment if venturing outside of your zone.
EFFECTIVE APRIL 19th, 2020 * Allowed to cross zones if your banking institution does not have a branch within your residential zone. INSIDEstmaarten.com
