Our good friend Bob made it today and all set.
Thanks.

Great! Good to hear!

Thank you Lesley and Carol; for the kind words. I must take my temperature every morning before breakfast and sent it to the government. My oral thermometer has always read my temp at 95.5. So far, so good.

OK, enjoy your trip, Bob!

Thanks Bob and please enjoy your stay.

Only Bob.

Bob, thank you for documenting the 14-day self-testing requirement. It is a mystery to most here, so anything which you should care to add will be helpful.

Enjoy your visit!

Glad to hear it is going well. As November gets closer we are monitoring these posts closely.
One question: will it be required to quarantine upon return to the states?

Depends on what state you're returning to. Also what is going on with the national level. Lot can change daily.

OK...here's a twist on testing. We are getting close (Oct.9th) to a trip to ST. Thomas and they have been shut down to tourists for the last month or so BUT have opened up to tourists as of 9/19.

Proof of a negative test required for everyone over 15 years of age and it has to be RECEIVED within five days prior to travel.....not taken...received. So for travel on a Friday you could be tested Friday before and HOPE it doesn't come back on Saturday (slim chance) ...or just go on Monday

Big difference from having it taken 72 hours before travel and assuming it will be back in time.

Note: they also eliminated the no testing needed for low percentage positive sates and now require testing for all.....

Bob and Dot - welcome back! Are you at The Boon? Hope we bump into you!

Hi guys;

Yes, I am back at the Boon and finally let our group know that Dot is no longer with us. So far I've been to Fat Tony's for a foot long and Topper's (a very good friend) a couple times.

Hi Elaine , I had sent you message on this since the 12 th lol.

Just an FYI for those near RI....testing at the Convention center (for travel ) is 7 days a week which helps with test timing ....website is a bit quirky but keep at it and DON'T enter a primary MD name or it will boot you to CVS

Were you (as a MA resident) tested in RI or do you know of any MA residents that were? Did they accept insurance?

I believe that the testting at this site is free. It was for me.

Thanks Bob for sharing this valuable info for potential travelers.

Tim:

I set up an account for future testing the first week in October (travelling on the 9th). Application requires your insurance info to be added and, on a prior phone call, the phone rep stated that insurance would be billed and there would be no charge to me. Rep also stated not a problem for out of state residents and same process applies. I only posted again because I assumed no testing on the weekends but I found appointments available 7 days a week.

I should add that billing my insurance does not confirm that they will pay for the test but it's a start

Thanks for getting back to me and for the great information. I just booked my flights for January. Can almost feel the warm sand between my toes!

Boucharda....is it the right test, that SXM requires?

I was tested in MD Thursday and received the results Monday. But it isn't the one SXM wants.

Hey, gato de playa,

Have you considered a Patient First center near you? The test is the correct test, they are testing seven days a week and in Maryland and Virginia they are returning results in less than 48 hours on average. I have included the link below for you to check out.

Patient First link

The COVID-19 test should be free, as it is covered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. However, if you get a bill, you should reach out to your insurance or Medicaid, or Medicare.

Awesome info!!!!!!

Hubby is military and uses Walter Reed...maybe he could pay cash at Patient First.

I’ll start exploring.

It's an RT-PCR test. Same one Bob got there prior to travel to SXM....

Test at RI's convention center is the nasal one. Had it am am writing this from SXM.

So very happy for you being in SXM. This had to be a tough trip but glad it has all seemingly worked out well for you.

We received our test results in just a little over 24 hours. Great job by the State of Rhode Island! Waiting on the OK from St. Maarten. We’re so looking forward to our trip!

Excellent job by the State of RI. I wish MA was more on the ball with these required asymptomatic tests. We are having ours done at the Convention Center Sunday at 10a for STT. Good drill for SXM later