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Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
#228464
06/23/2020 01:06 PM
06/23/2020 01:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Link with Dr. SocThis talk with the SXM tourism minister and Dr. Soc is fairly lengthy, but is very worthwhile for anyone planning on travelling to SXM any time soon. These are some notes that I took while listening to the talk. This is what I got out of it. If I misunderstood anything, please feel free to correct me. * All persons entering SXM from North America or Europe are REQUIRED to have a PCR test prior to entry to SXM * The ONLY test that is acceptable is a PCR test (although apparently there is more than one kind of a PCR test) Some research is required there. * The RESULT has to be obtained within no MORE than 72 hours of when you arrive. SO, if you are told it will take 7 days to get a result, you need to get the test done around 9 days before or so, so the test RESULT is not too old. The test does NOT have to be taken AND the result both obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival. * It is possible there will be a website to upload results to, but YOU are responsible for ensuring that you have proof of your test with you upon arrival. * It is my understanding that many test results are available via text message, which presumably would be very easy to fake. SXM officials are looking at options for how to be able to verify the test results are real. * There will be at the least, temperature checks upon arrival in SXM. * If somehow you show up without a test, you will be tested on island and quarantine will be MANDATORY, at YOUR expense, until the results come back (at least). I got the impression that the airlines are not taking any responsibility for making sure that you have the needed test. * Apparently there is no current insurance that will cover Covid 19 evacuation currently. THIS PART I am kind of fuzzy on. The Tourism Minister is in the process of trying to arrange some insurance which would cover cost for quarantine, medical expenses on island and medical evac, but this is not yet in place. (Aruba does have such insurance in place, from what I understand, and to ME, I think it is expensive. The cost I heard for Aruba was $15 per person PER DAY, so a week insurance for two people would be $210, which is no small sum, to my mind. Dr. Soc said he thought that price was reasonable. I would disagree.) * SXM is in the process of hoping to eventually be able to do testing on island for all who show up. Frankly, to me, testing before makes more sense.
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 06/23/2020 01:15 PM.
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#228470
06/23/2020 01:44 PM
06/23/2020 01:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I guess it depends on what it covers. I thought the insurance would cover ONLY the Covid portion, from my understanding. Just the medical in SXM for COVID (only), cost of quarantine and cost of medical evac, and no regular travel insurance portions.
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: sxmBoston]
#228472
06/23/2020 01:48 PM
06/23/2020 01:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Which border? The border between Dutch and French sides is open, yes. So long as you don't plan on leaving or arriving from either the French airport or via the ferry into the French side, French rules are irrelevant.
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: RonDon]
#228474
06/23/2020 01:58 PM
06/23/2020 01:58 PM
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Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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No problem. If someone has the time to listen to the whole talk, it is very interesting.
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#228477
06/23/2020 02:29 PM
06/23/2020 02:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296 Colorado and Sailing the World
Maria_and_Steve
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Thanks for the info about testing. I received this email from the U.S. State Department in Curacao: "The U.S. Consulate is also aware that the governments of Bonaire and Curacao have announced plans to close their borders with any country that opens its borders to the United States." So if you want to visit Bonaire or Curacao from St. Maarten, that will not be allowed, once international flights into SXM are resumed? Or will Bonaire or Curacao just close their borders to St. Maarten entirely, when international flights are permitted from overseas destinations? Either way, it is not a good situation.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Maria_and_Steve]
#228479
06/23/2020 02:35 PM
06/23/2020 02:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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I don't understand your question, as it seems like the same thing?
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#228483
06/23/2020 03:41 PM
06/23/2020 03:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,088 Massachusetts
boucharda
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* The RESULT has to be obtained within no MORE than 72 hours of when you arrive. SO, if you are told it will take 7 days to get a result, you need to get the test done around 9 days before or so, so the test RESULT is not too old. The test does NOT have to be taken AND the result both obtained within 72 hours prior to arrival.
That's a biggie and very helpful
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: RonDon]
#228519
06/24/2020 08:25 AM
06/24/2020 08:25 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,430 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Leslie from Kenny's car rental said both sides are open. If US can travel into PJIA then no problem. Problem might be if you flew into the French side airport and they are following EU decisions. And that's the answer today. Things can, and do, change. If the EU bans US visitors, and if St. Martin follows France, they can close the borders. They closed them at the beginning of the health crisis, and can do it again.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: GaKaye]
#228521
06/24/2020 08:45 AM
06/24/2020 08:45 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,580 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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Since St Martin MUST follow France, I expect that is what will happen. Thinking of moving to the French side!
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: BillandElaine]
#228525
06/24/2020 09:06 AM
06/24/2020 09:06 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Elaine--do you seriously think they will close the border again??
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#228527
06/24/2020 09:09 AM
06/24/2020 09:09 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,580 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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How else would they keep US folks out? We'll see.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#228541
06/24/2020 10:57 AM
06/24/2020 10:57 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,889
Bahston
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As with many things French, there are no guarantees one way or the other. Yes, the Overseas Territories must follow the rules put in place by France, but based on local conditions, France sometimes puts different rules in place for some or all of the Overseas Territories. One recent example is that travel restrictions between the French Caribbean islands were lifted, but the restrictions on travel between mainland France and the islands remained in place for a longer period of time (and may still have a few days to go - I've lost track). Another is that the health emergency is being lifted in France and most of the Overseas Territories, but in Guiana and Mayotte it may be extended until the end of October.
US travelers were allowed to return to St Barth as of Monday, with most arrivals transiting through San Juan.
Last edited by Bahston; 06/24/2020 03:35 PM.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: BillandElaine]
#228568
06/24/2020 03:14 PM
06/24/2020 03:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 59
CaribEagle
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How else would they keep US folks out? We'll see. Why are you so scared of the "US folks" if they have a negative test? You do realize that less than 1 percent of the US population has tested positive for the virus, right? Remember many of your neighbors are not retired ex-pats and they need for the island to safely welcome guests so they can feed their families.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: MrWhiskerssammy]
#228572
06/24/2020 04:37 PM
06/24/2020 04:37 PM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,318
Kennys
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: CaribEagle]
#228579
06/24/2020 06:25 PM
06/24/2020 06:25 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,580 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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The EU is considering banning US travel to their countries, which includes France.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: CaribEagle]
#228587
06/25/2020 07:34 AM
06/25/2020 07:34 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,580 St Maarten
BillandElaine
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And don't pretend you know anything about me or my neighbors.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: CaribEagle]
#228624
06/25/2020 02:54 PM
06/25/2020 02:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,666 MIA
irina
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I have no idea what you are talking about! Your numbers make no sense and what is it about ex pats etc that you are hung up on? Neighbors have to be fed? I'm confused!
Last edited by irina; 06/25/2020 02:54 PM.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Seaisle]
#228645
06/26/2020 08:52 AM
06/26/2020 08:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,545 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Wow, I was planning on a trip this Jan but will consider canceling, too many restrictions I would expect a lot to change between now and January. No idea to what degree or extent but I would expect things to be much different a few months from now. Maybe for the better and maybe not.
J.D.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: ruralcarrier]
#228646
06/26/2020 08:54 AM
06/26/2020 08:54 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Agree. January is 6 months from now. A lot can happen. 6 months ago, none of us even knew what Corona virus was..
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Seaisle]
#228648
06/26/2020 10:00 AM
06/26/2020 10:00 AM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,809 Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman
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Wow, I was planning on a trip this Jan but will consider canceling, too many restrictions Hopefully there will be a vaccine by then.
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Bigdaddy]
#228745
06/27/2020 11:55 AM
06/27/2020 11:55 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,862 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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That's what they are requiring. I guess the answer is that you have to do some research before and find out how long the results are taking, and go somewhere that you can be guaranteed to get your results in proper amount of time.
Carol Hill
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Re: Important talk by SXM Tourism Minister re entry requirements
[Re: Bigdaddy]
#228746
06/27/2020 11:56 AM
06/27/2020 11:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,430 Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye
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Can anyone please clarify one point on the testing. Where we live some people are getting test results back in 24 hours while others have had to wait up to six days. How can SXM require your test results be less than 72 hours old on your date of travel when you have no control over how long it will take to get the results? That's a very good question; I was thinking the same.
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