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Draft Motion re Rapid Testing #237838
10/24/2020 06:36 AM
10/24/2020 06:36 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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I just saw this on a Facebook page. I can't share the actual post, but here are images of the Draft Resolution.

Attached Files rapid1.jpgrapid2.jpgrapid3.jpg
SXM Sponsors
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237839
10/24/2020 06:44 AM
10/24/2020 06:44 AM
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bizzottom Offline
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just read it 1/2 hour ago, seems like a no brainer in some respects to me

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237840
10/24/2020 06:55 AM
10/24/2020 06:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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A step in the right direction. Hopefully it is acted on in a positive and expeditious manner.


J.D.
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237841
10/24/2020 07:02 AM
10/24/2020 07:02 AM
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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In lue? tonguea hammer

This is good news.


[Linked Image]
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237842
10/24/2020 07:03 AM
10/24/2020 07:03 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Excellent that option ii potentially possible for those who do not get their results back in time for travel. I hope they consider and implement it.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237845
10/24/2020 08:09 AM
10/24/2020 08:09 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,000
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
RI Bob C Offline
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My testing in Rhode Island was free and got the results in time for my trip when it was still during the 72 hour requirement period. If they want to see a major increase in the visitor count don't start it off with a big fee.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237846
10/24/2020 08:39 AM
10/24/2020 08:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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Yup....and that would be the way to go BUT, if there is a delay in getting your results it wouldn't prevent you from travelling. We, like you, were tested at the Convention center. My results took 3 days and my wife got hers on day four.....right on the edge. We may be outliers BUT it is possible ...and now, maybe, there will be a backup plan

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: RI Bob C] #237848
10/24/2020 08:48 AM
10/24/2020 08:48 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Originally Posted by RI Bob C
My testing in Rhode Island was free and got the results in time for my trip when it was still during the 72 hour requirement period. If they want to see a major increase in the visitor count don't start it off with a big fee.

100% correct on the big fee.


J.D.
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: ruralcarrier] #237849
10/24/2020 08:52 AM
10/24/2020 08:52 AM
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bizzottom Offline
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that would defeat the purpose

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: bizzottom] #237850
10/24/2020 08:57 AM
10/24/2020 08:57 AM
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Ohio
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Originally Posted by bizzottom
that would defeat the purpose

No disagreement here but you know how things work at times.


J.D.
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237856
10/24/2020 10:45 AM
10/24/2020 10:45 AM
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WLE Offline
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Rapid tests are great, but are they going to be capable of administering the thousand or more needed on a Sat. afternoon in prime season ?

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: WLE] #237860
10/24/2020 11:50 AM
10/24/2020 11:50 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Originally Posted by WLE
Rapid tests are great, but are they going to be capable of administering the thousand or more needed on a Sat. afternoon in prime season ?


Good point. But it probably wouldn't take much longer than it's taking now to check the paperwork.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237876
10/24/2020 02:28 PM
10/24/2020 02:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
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And this should certainly be enacted sooner rather than later since too many would-be visitors are changing or cancelling trip plans or just not bothering with Sint Maarten at all and going elsewhere instead.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: pat] #237878
10/24/2020 02:51 PM
10/24/2020 02:51 PM
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Ohio
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Originally Posted by pat
And this should certainly be enacted sooner rather than later since too many would-be visitors are changing or cancelling trip plans or just not bothering with Sint Maarten at all and going elsewhere instead.

It should help stimulate more people to consider going. Now, if the airlines just get their acts together we would be going in a very positive direction.


J.D.
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237879
10/24/2020 03:21 PM
10/24/2020 03:21 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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AT the end of the article it says a report is due within a week

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: boucharda] #237884
10/24/2020 04:16 PM
10/24/2020 04:16 PM
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bizzottom Offline
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i think the paper was dated 21 OCT

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237893
10/24/2020 05:45 PM
10/24/2020 05:45 PM
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Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
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The draft motion is posted on the Facebook site for the St. Maarten Parliment.

Facebook page for Saint Maarten Parliment

The indication posted there is that the motion was voted on yesterday (23 October) and approved (for further review) by an 11 to 3 vote.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237909
10/25/2020 12:31 AM
10/25/2020 12:31 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237911
10/25/2020 05:30 AM
10/25/2020 05:30 AM
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bizzottom Offline
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just wonder how long it would take before it become operational.....IF it is approved

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: bizzottom] #237913
10/25/2020 07:48 AM
10/25/2020 07:48 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Originally Posted by bizzottom
just wonder how long it would take before it become operational.....IF it is approved


My guess, and it's just a guess, is that it won't go into effect until December 1, at the earliest. Too late to help me, but will help most high season travelers.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237920
10/25/2020 09:28 AM
10/25/2020 09:28 AM
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me 2, but as u say, December should be attainable and the country should be a bit more desirable to visit with the relaxed requirements. But the sad part is how the positive covid-19 spiking is now in the US and what restrictions may have to reintroduced if the proverbial u know what hits the fan in the next month

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237922
10/25/2020 09:36 AM
10/25/2020 09:36 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
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...and that would be a reason for the testing of all visitors by some method. If you can reasonably say that everyone that arrives is negative then it shouldn't be an issue for the countries involved.

With that said I wouldn't want to go to SXM untested and rely on being negative when I am in the SXM airport....it WOULD hit the fan if you came back asymptomatically positive, had to quarantine for 14 days or so and couldn't fly back until you were negative

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: boucharda] #237924
10/25/2020 09:47 AM
10/25/2020 09:47 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
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boucharda--for sure, I would still get tested at home.


Carol Hill
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #237926
10/25/2020 09:59 AM
10/25/2020 09:59 AM
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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We're flying four weeks from yesterday. Even though a test is required before we fly, we are somewhat self-isolating for the next month, just to be safe. If we were able to take a test upon arrival, we wouldn't take one at home. Free testing isn't widely available here, and the tests we can get with reasonable timing for results are expensive.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237933
10/25/2020 11:00 AM
10/25/2020 11:00 AM
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
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Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them, but the risk to me is too great not to take a test before, even if it is fairly expensive, because of the real possibility of being asymptomatic. Possibly having to quarantine for two weeks on island is a bigger risk than I personally would take.


Carol Hill
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237941
10/25/2020 11:51 AM
10/25/2020 11:51 AM
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Auburn, WA
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I would test before I went for same reasons.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237942
10/25/2020 12:11 PM
10/25/2020 12:11 PM
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Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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I would still test before going as well. But I would probably do the rapid test the day prior. And same upon return.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #237960
10/25/2020 03:31 PM
10/25/2020 03:31 PM
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them, but the risk to me is too great not to take a test before, even if it is fairly expensive, because of the real possibility of being asymptomatic. Possibly having to quarantine for two weeks on island is a bigger risk than I personally would take.


If I've been fairly isolated for a couple of weeks before I travel, it's pretty unlikely that I'm infected before I fly. Let's be real about this.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237964
10/25/2020 04:26 PM
10/25/2020 04:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
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The point is "fairly isolated".... Too risky for me, not to get tested..


Carol Hill
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #237966
10/25/2020 04:33 PM
10/25/2020 04:33 PM
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Your choice. I'm not going to get sick by going to the grocery store. I think the whole thing is very overdone. Am I going to a party with a hundred people I don't know? Of course not. Am I having a birthday party with family I know and trust? Yep...next week. I refuse to live in fear.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237967
10/25/2020 04:37 PM
10/25/2020 04:37 PM
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Washington, DC/SXM
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Originally Posted by GaKaye
Your choice. I'm not going to get sick by going to the grocery store. I think the whole thing is very overdone. Am I going to a party with a hundred people I don't know? Of course not. Am I having a birthday party with family I know and trust? Yep...next week. I refuse to live in fear.


I hope you're right, and I don't want to turn this into a covid thread, but your point about the grocery store struck me because my colleague was isolating at home (she lives alone) and the only place she allowed herself to go was to the grocery store. And she got covid (and was pretty sick too). Fingers crossed for everyone with their plans, travel and otherwise!

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: Angelface] #237968
10/25/2020 04:42 PM
10/25/2020 04:42 PM
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Angelface--Amen, and going to a birthday party?? Not me...


Carol Hill
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: Carol_Hill] #237970
10/25/2020 04:49 PM
10/25/2020 04:49 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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Maybe it's different depending on where you live (I don't really think so), and I don't want this to become a covid thread either. But if you take the proper precautions to keep yourself safe, then going to the grocery store shouldn't be dangerous. As to the birthday party, it's in our home, in a well-ventilated area, and with close family who we've been in contact with for months. Again, I'm not going to live in fear. We all have to do what works for us.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237982
10/25/2020 05:43 PM
10/25/2020 05:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
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Auburn, WA
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I'm with you on that can't continue to live in fear but I would still get tested prior to a flight to sxm.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237984
10/25/2020 05:46 PM
10/25/2020 05:46 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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I wouldn't have a problem doing that if I felt it would be a benefit. But would I spend $250 per person, which is what it's costing us now? No.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #237987
10/25/2020 05:59 PM
10/25/2020 05:59 PM
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Posts: 148
ballston lake
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I too would test at home prior to travelling to SXM. My wife and I have been at home for 6 months and the super market is the only place I go. 2 weeks ago I started with chills, fever and body aches. After several days of feeling miserable, I went to a medical clinic operated by an area hospital. I was examined and the doctor said its either the flu or Covid. They did a nasal swab and 2 hours later phoned me at home to tell me I have Covid. I was shocked that I had contracted Covid and spent hours questioning where did I let the virus in?, I never leave the house without a mask and carry my own sanitizer and paper towels. The county health department called and told me I was to quarantine in our home. The nurse asked me many questions and started contact tracing. I listed 5 people including my wife, adult children and 1 elderly neighbor that I had contact with in our house and also listed the 3 local markets I have visited. All 5 people were contacted and placed in quarantine. Several days later the county sheriff showed up at our homes and delivered orders of quarantine.
Unfortunately my wife did contract the virus and we are both home with symptoms. The neighbor and our adult children have since tested negative and have not had any symptoms.
I still question how this happened to me? When this is over and I have to leave the house, rubber gloves will be part of my defense.

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: johnhill] #237989
10/25/2020 06:07 PM
10/25/2020 06:07 PM
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Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
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John--I hope you and your wife are OK..


Carol Hill
Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #238009
10/26/2020 12:55 AM
10/26/2020 12:55 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
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Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: GaKaye] #238010
10/26/2020 06:33 AM
10/26/2020 06:33 AM
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Posts: 5,081
Massachusetts
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I wonder how they will work the insurance thing since the article made it sound like a combo fee for testing, insurance and COVID treatment capabilities in SXM

Back to private insurance being OK?

Re: Draft Motion re Rapid Testing [Re: boucharda] #238019
10/26/2020 08:59 AM
10/26/2020 08:59 AM
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South Carolina
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I’m also curious what this means for travelers that prefer to do the testing before they leave. We’re fortunate to have fast and free testing nearby, so I’d much rather do that than pay for something else on arrival.

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