WILLEMSTAD - After the closure of the Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort yesterday, Chata CEO Miles Mercera indicated that Curaçao should respond as soon as possible. Mercera says that, in order to avoid comparable situations, the government must provide clarity as soon as possible about "how and when tourists can be welcomed again".

Mercera thus hopes that a total collapse of the sector can be combated and that the main pillar of the economy can be saved.

Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort announced yesterday that it will close its doors for at least a year. As a result, a total of 265 people will be on the street. The Minister of Economic Development Steven Martina is talking to management today.

The Minister says that he is looking for ways to keep the resort open anyway.