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Saturday 7 November 2020 LOCAL
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About Aruba

ORANJESTAD — Aruba is Aruba’s endemic rattle-
the smallest, driest and Coastal lagoons with man- snake, the Cascabel, and strange, red, bristly “cap” hat was not enough, the
windiest of the three Lee- grove forests and extensive their irresistible burrowing (called a cephalium), pope’s head cactus also
ward Islands of the Dutch and well-developed sea- owl, the Shoco. The park which grows out the top of sprouts tiny, fuchsia flowers
Caribbean. Despite this, it grass beds at the southern not only contains outstand- the green base and can from its cephalium. These
has a surprisingly varied part of the island are a ing nature but also a rich reach heights of up to 1 m flowers give way to bright
landscape. The island’s magnet for sea turtles, as cultural history. This includes (~3.3 ft)! Using your imagi- pink, waxy, cone-shaped
connection, via the con- well as an important base a renovated farm area (cu- nation, one can really see fruits. The fruits are edible
tinental shelf, to the South in the marine food chain. nucu) and early Arawak a green “head” topped and have the seedy con-
American mainland means Covering almost one fifth cave paintings, which were with a tall, red, clergical sistency of a crunchy kiwi,
that Aruba’s flora and fauna of the total land area of used as the inspiration for “hat”. This cactus can be though their flavor is quite
are quite different from her Aruba, the Parke Nacional the park’s iconic logo. found clinging to rocks in light. Lovely to look at and
sister islands — Bonaire and Arikok includes the island’s some of the drier, less hos- delightful to taste, but do
Curaçao. Aruba’s stunning highest hill, Mount Jamano- Pope’s Head Cactus pitable climes throughout remember to mind their
geological features include ta. Located on the island’s Our spotlight moves to one the Caribbean, Mexico, sharp spines and leave
grottos, caves and giant windward shore, the park of the Caribbean’s most and South America. It’s enough fruit for the plants
rocks (tonalites) fashioned gives access to the rough personable succulents, the quite a common sight while to procreate.
by the elements. Aruba lava hills and limestone Pope’s Head Cactus (Me- hiking in the scrublands of The next time you are hav-
is famous for long sandy rock formations typical of locactus intortus). Its ge- both the Windward and ing a wander through our
beaches and strong trade this arid island. With its frag- nus name is Melocactus, Leeward islands, though starkly beautiful sub-tropi-
winds, which make the is- ile dry cactus forest and ex- meaning “melon cactus”, different species inhabit cal dry forests, don’t forget
land a paradise for beach tensive scrublands the park referring to its short, round, the northern and south- to look down and admire
lovers and windsurfers but is home to over 50 species watermelon-like base. The ern ranges. This particular the quirky and stout pope’s
a challenging environment of native trees and is the most interesting part of specimen comes to us from head cactus. Source:
for plants and animals. last protected refuge for this plant however, is the St. Maarten. As if its spiny DCNA.q

Covid-19 in Aruba- Moving forward to flattening the curve

ORANJESTAD — After being get affected by the vi- in effect, however you are transport. residents). Sincere condo-
completely shut down for rus once again, but we not allowed to be on the ● Visits and admis- lences to the family of the
3.5 months due to the Cov- weren’t prepared for the beach and gathering on sions to elderly care homes deceased. There are cur-
id-19 pandemic, Aruba was strength in which this virus public parking spaces be- are prohibited. rently 10 persons hospital-
ready to reopen its border would manifest itself in the tween 12am-5am. ● Indoor and outdoor ized, of whom 1 is in inten-
for international visitors on 2nd wave. Total cases were ● Restaurants need contact sports must stop. sive care.
July 1st. Firstly, the borders increasing at a high speed to be closed at 11:00 pm.
were opened to the Carib- daily. Due to this and espe- ● ‘Ambiance music’ Advice for travelers
bean (with the exception cially to protect our visitors only is allowed at the es- Latest update on cases- Prior to travel, visitors should
of Dominican Republic and the Government of Aruba tablishment. Loud music November 6, 2020 download the Aruba De-
Haiti), Europe, and Canada together with the depart- nor dancing is permitted. 14 new cases of COVID-19 partment of Public Health’s
and since July 15th, tourists ment of Public Health had ● Tables in restaurants reported and 15 persons re- Aruba Health App. A mo-
from the United States and to implement strict rules cannot seat more than 4 covered. The total number bile resource for informa-
Canada were welcomed. and protocols again. As people, excluding children of active COVID-19 coro- tion on COVID-19 health
What a joy it was to see the cases were increasing under 12 years of age. navirus cases is 172 (161 res- procedures in Aruba, facili-
the first flight land and the the rules became stricter ● Bars (counter) at lo- idents and 11 visitors). The tation of the airport health
first tourist touching Aruba’s and as soon as the num- cations cannot service, as total cases to date is 4.578 screening, and faster re-
ground after such a long bers decreased immensely there cannot be chairs at (4.501 residents and 77 visi- sults for Molecular PCR CO-
time. the Government of Aruba the bar to sit down. tors). The total recovered is VID-19 tests taken in Aruba.
was able to adapt its rules ● Avoid large gather- 4.367 (4.301 residents and Also as of November 1, 2020
A month after opening the according to the develop- ings at the workplace. 66 visitors). The number of a flat premium of $30 is ap-
border we had the first ac- ment of the Covid-19 situa- ● Avoid visiting family persons tested, including plicable for new insurance
tive Covid-19 cases regis- tion on the island. and family parties in groups visitors, is now 41.437 of policies for travelers over
tered, which marked the These are the decisions tak- of 4 people or more. which 19.949 were persons 14 years old. More informa-
start of the 2nd wave of en by the Government of ● Masks are now tested at the airport. The tion on travel and health
the pandemic. We were Aruba up till today: mandatory in all locations number of deaths related requirements can be found
all conscious that we might ● Curfew is no longer (interior) and also on public to COVID-19 is now 39 (all on www.aruba.com.q