WILLEMSTAD.- Every year on the first Sunday of the New Year, the celebration of "Fuikdag" takes place in Fuikbaai, a tradition that is growing and has reached such a magnitude that the risks concerning this celebration have also increased considerably.

For this reason and to be able to ensure that all matters go hand in hand during the celebration of the next Fuikdag that will take place on January 6th 2019, the competent authorities such as the Curaçao Police Force (KPC), Coast Guard, Maritime Inspection, Captaincy of Ports, Firemen Curaçao and CITRO, after meeting with the Minister of Justice decided to apply measures and stipulated rules to guarantee the security of each and every one of the attendees.

The rules in question contain the following points:

A.) Permits will not be granted for the sale of alcohol.

B.) Permissions will not be granted for live music or public shows.

C.) All boats that participate in the event, apart from their documents, must have enough lifeguards on board (according to the number of passengers on board) and appropriate devices for signals, etc.

D.) In addition, the Firemen of Curaçao will carry out controls regarding the lighting of fires on board the boats in the preparation of barbecues and grills.

It is good to keep in mind that the matter of taking and bringing people is not allowed either. Therefore, people who have their own boats can only get to Fuikbaai. These measures have become necessary because every year it turns out that people who grab "a lift", get stuck in Fuikbaai without being able to reach Caracasbaai and consequently they try to walk through the private lands of Barbara Beach to reach the city.

All this contributes to generate more chaos and risk for the security of the people. For this reason, this dynamic will no longer be tolerated. It is good for each and every one to be aware and adhere to very strictly to the rules.

The authorities will act with a firm hand to ensure that order and security prevail during the celebration of Fuikdag.