[1] On 12 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a novel coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei, China, which was reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019.

[11] Curaçao cancelled all travel except for local residents, freight and medical specialists as from 16 March.

[17] The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands stated that the six islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint-Eustatius, Sint Maarten) closely cooperate to ensure essential health care and that the Dutch government is negotiating with Colombia for specialized care.

[18] On 10 April, respirators, medicine and protective equipment were flown to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao by the Dutch government.

Ms. Karel Doorman was dispatched from Den Helder to assist with food aid, border control and public order.

Quite a number of people including Rijna watched the arrival also because it was the first time[23] a large Boeing 777 landed on Flamingo International Airport.

[27] On 25 April, the Press has been invited to be present at the Island Policy Team (EBT) which has been setup to manage the crisis.

The US Consulate has arranged for a repatriation flight on 10 May for American citizens stranded on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao.

Governor Edison Rijna announced that the current measures will be mitigated including school closure in a gradual fashion, but the borders will remain closed.

Governor Rijna is working on repatriation of the residents stranded in the United States and there is a new group in the Netherlands.

[34] On 8 May, it was announced that residents stranded on Curaçao, Saba and St. Eustatius can return home, however they need the Governor's permission and need to quarantine for 14 days.

[36] On 30 July, the airport will be allowing planes from other Caribbean islands with a high prevalence of COVID-19 to shelter from the expected weather.

[1] The travel ban to North America was allowed to expire on January 15 the with flights beginning in early to mid February.