TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Who's Arriving August 1?

Just curious....Anyone here flying to the island on or shortly after August 1?

Know several people arriving Saturday. Just read AA plane arriving with 50 passengers.

Elaine--are they mostly people who own property on island?

At least one is a neighbor. Others visitors, probably long time. A few I don't really know, just know they are coming. I expect the first flights will be mostly folks coming home or property owners. There are ATV and jet ski tours going on, so assume some tourists are here.

OK. Regarding ATV and jetskis, I assume there are some people coming in from Europe on KLM or Air France.

Yes, several days a week.

I am LEAVING thie island Aug 1: Jet Blue to JFK, then BOS.

Wendy, Happy to hear you're finally getting to leave! I know you've had more than a couple of flights canceled.

Hello Wendy,

Wishing you as safe trip.
Any help on 72 hour covid results, live In Pa. and right now not expecting to be able to get results within time frame to travel near end of August.
We are flexible on dates and ready to leave once we get the results.

Thank you.

The newest twist from the Health Minister is "rt-PCR test methods with an Emergency Use Only Authorization (EUA) approval from the FDA will not be accepted."
I have been getting tested since end of June. Checking each result for method of testing and turn time.
I have tried state/public testing, testing by doctor's request and private labs.
All have the 72 hour issue but were getting better (shorter) so that I was getting ready to try booking a ticket again.
UNTIL this last new requirement.
EVERY type of test results all show the EUA statement.

I don't know why the SXM Health Ministry will not accept the tests approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

I would like to know if ANYBODY who is going to SXM in the next week has been able to meet these new test requirements.

I believe the Health Minister is doing all he can to stop the economic recovery of the island by imposing an unattainable ZERO risk policy.
There is no such thing in life as zero risk.
Risk reduction has to be balanced with real life.

I know nothing about the tests at this point, and will have to self-quarantine for 14 days in MA unless I test negative. My doctor's office will only order a test for me if I have symptoms; the other route is a walk-in clinic where the results can take up to 2 weeks. I hope things are a little speedier by Nov. when I'm ready to come back!

I'm not aware of any Covid-19 test that isn't operating under the Emergency Use Authorization, so that is weird.

As Wilson stated, I’m not aware of any either. I believe the EUA was given to allow pooling of samples to preserve resources for lab work in test processing. Also to expand testing to include the largely asymptomatic population in the USA. I’m not sure if there is a way to obtain such a test here; perhaps if it is ordered by a physician ? Perhaps someone with more medical knowledge than us can chime in ?

I had a doctor ordered test done that had the deep nasal swap. Called a SARS coronavirus w/COV 2 RNA QL Real Time PCR and it did have the FDA EUA notice on the results.
Also had a Florida Public Health test with less intrusive nasal swab. Called a SARS-CoV-2, NAA test and it also had the FDA EUA notice.
So it is important to check your results report carefully to be sure you are not put back on the plane you can in on.
Based on the current (July 28th) Health Minister catch-22 regulation.
Good luck to all and I hope someone who makes it thru imigration at SXM can report back.
Eager travelers are waiting to know.
Thanks all.

well said gary, tourism is the prime interest of the caribbean economy, so it has to be handled accordingly.....risk/reward. but i hear ya