TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Does the flight crew need testing?

Wondering if the flight crews need to have test results within 72 hours of every flight they are on before takeoff to SXM. A mechanical problem on the return flight often happens forcing crew to overnight on island. How would island handle that.

I guess they would be tested like any other visitor and dealt with if positive.

I would think for most crews they aren’t technically entering SXM unless there were an unexpected issue. But another interesting twist would be last minute crew substitutions. Unless all crew are being regularly testing I could see this getting sticky.

I remember in normal years before Irma there was the late AA MIA flight that spent the night and was first flight out next morning having crew spending the night in St Maarten. Can't see that coming back very soon now.

Correct and that's what i was responding to......they would be tested like any other visitor IF they were staying overnight.

I have had 2 Covid tests. Both came back in 2 days, not 72 hours.
Negative btw.

Glad to hear that, Irina. Stay safe!!

Glad you got 2. I can't even get 1.

Our covid tests, which we had an appointment for this morning, got canceled.
They ran out of swabs.
Hope that doesn't happen with a timeline for travelers.

We were still able to get an antibody test, which if positive, we won't need the other.
Actually if we had the virus, while getting the antibody test, I think it would show up.

Incorrect. Just because the antibody test is positive, as of NOW, will not substitute for a negative Covid 19 test. Perhaps they will make that change in the future, but as of now, you need the PCR test.

Yes, Carol, what I was told is questionable.

Even if we have the virus, the antibodies take time to form.(I just read that)

One does not negate the other right now----I was told I wouldn't need to come back for the covid test if the antibody one is positive
by a doctor. Like you said it's not true.

If you have Covid 19 it will generate the antibodies that will show up in the test and you still could be contagious.

Perhaps I read it incorrectly but the antibody test is NOT the test required to enter SXM

Correct. Never said it was.