Forums39
Topics38,828
Posts314,315
Members26,589
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
42 registered members (cbinparadise, tpcook, Marie, steve74, IWIWSE, jagmansr, SXMScubaman, jbutah, marybeth, Brian&Andi, Kennys, JandIrene, sunner, StMartinFan, KirkB, Toni, RichiT, Bernd, sxmpete, Manpot, SXMNAN, NumberCruncher, RickG, BHK, Matagorda Dude, Rbailey, Kegoangoango, ChiTownHarry, luvtotravel, MarkS, Alltech63, Husker, casailor53, 9 invisible),
692
guests, and 222
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: vetteguy]
#243344
12/26/2020 02:58 PM
12/26/2020 02:58 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,094 Massachusetts
boucharda
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,094
Massachusetts
|
I have learned a lot by reading the many previous posts on the same subject.....
Last edited by boucharda; 12/26/2020 02:59 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: vetteguy]
#243349
12/26/2020 03:31 PM
12/26/2020 03:31 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,657
Brookfield, CT.
|
We also are very recently back and I would say our experiences were mostly positive. Hand sanitizers abounded and we chose to do most of our dining in outdoor or in semi-outdoor situations. I can only think of one situation where masks were not worn by service staff but I was told our experience was not the norm for this place. We only went once so I can’t say yes or no to that.
We were pretty self-limiting in our activities - no shopping to speak of this trip and no casinos or music clubs and in most cases we were home by 10 pm and generally speaking even earlier yet. It was strange not to be able to exchange hugs and kisses with old and dear island friends but they were just as strict about this as were we. On the beach or at the pool we did NOT wear masks but we did distance ourselves safely away from others.
The hardest part of Covid practices for me was in wearing our masks from the limo through the airport onto the planes and back into the airports where we did all the necessary requirements to be allowed on the island and home again but we both came home healthy and tested negative just as we did before we left for the island so the efforts were well worth it.
The biggest surprise to us was the Saturday midday flight home from SXM. Generally speaking, there is standing room only in the departure hall at PJIA and our experience was that even though some airport seats were blocked for distancing, there were still plenty of seats available with no crowds at all. And of course, there were the few travelers who refused to wear their masks but we did see security speak to at least one couple who ultimately complied.
All in all, we had a great trip and I have no regrets having made the effort and taken all the appropriate steps to comply. Sint Maarten was more than worth the efforts and I’d go again in a heartbeat..
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: GaKaye]
#243357
12/26/2020 04:50 PM
12/26/2020 04:50 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,573 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,573
Ohio
|
I am with you Georgia. I would NOT expect to see masks on the beach. If that is a concern, I would stay home as well.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: wanderer01]
#243361
12/26/2020 06:02 PM
12/26/2020 06:02 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 16
wanderer01
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 16
|
i did not expect to see masks on the beach once seated, we did not wear mask either. The servers/ bartender in the restaurant/bar on Mullet beach had very few people wearing mask, once again we did not expect to see people wearing masks while eating, but while standing around waiting for seat, etc. The lack of social distancing i am referring to is chair rentals next to that small bar/ restaurant on Mullet bay (sorry do not remember name). On the french side it seems like they are taking more precautions in restaurants and on the beaches and, there is more serious mask enforcement. This is just based on my few days on the island....
Last edited by wanderer01; 12/26/2020 06:14 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: wanderer01]
#243372
12/26/2020 07:50 PM
12/26/2020 07:50 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291 South Carolina
dvesc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
|
Where are masks required on the French side? I’m asking because I didn’t see masks being used all the time. Instead, masks were occasionally being only worn under the chin at some places, mainly the grocery in Orient. I wondered about the point of even having them if they weren’t really worn, and considered it may have been just in case someone checked.
Last edited by dvesc; 12/26/2020 07:53 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: vetteguy]
#243385
12/27/2020 10:35 AM
12/27/2020 10:35 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
|
we’ve been here for several days now, and except for the very few people you see out at night in the restaurants, bars, casinos, etc., you wouldn’t even think COVID is still a thing...during the day you rarely see anyone wearing masks, and most of the time if worn, they’re just hanging down by the wearer’s chin... we’ve been in restaurants/bars where no one, neither customers or workers, are wearing masks...no or very little social distancing at Mullet beach...we didn’t expect much, so not really surprised
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: IslandBoi]
#243387
12/27/2020 11:09 AM
12/27/2020 11:09 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,085 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,085
Central Florida!
|
IslandBoi--that is discouraging, especially with regard to Mullet Beach. I had hoped that covid at least would change their chair policies, with chairs being smack dab up against each other. I guess that is not the case. Considering how few tourists are on island, that really makes no sense, to continue to make the chairs so crowded. Do they continue to put chairs all up and down the beach, and crowd them close together, or just put out a few chairs, crowded close together?
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#243395
12/27/2020 12:49 PM
12/27/2020 12:49 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539 Sugar Land, Tx
IslandBoi
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 539
Sugar Land, Tx
|
the biggest crowds we’ve seen on the island, by far, are at the beach, but only Mullet so far...Christmas was especially packed...chair guys were unboxing new umbrellas to keep up with demand...looks like the chair guys try to put as many lounges on the “first row” as possible, so the line of chairs extends way down the beach in both directions...the second row almost as much, and the third+, not nearly so...i’ll try to give them the benefit of the doubt, and say they allow an extra foot of space compared to normal times...lol....still many maskless congregate at Rosie’s ordering food, and we still see many people meeting & greeting up close
today we’re heading to Orient, so we’ll see how the french compare
by comparison, we spent 2 months this summer in europe, and although we went out almost every evening, we felt people took masking up and social distancing way more seriously
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: vetteguy]
#243421
12/27/2020 04:53 PM
12/27/2020 04:53 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291 South Carolina
dvesc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 291
South Carolina
|
Not surprisingly, different people are having different experiences in different places. We didn’t see any temperature checks or mandatory sanitizer in Orient, but I’m sure it’s happening some places. I felt safer at restaurants in St. Martin than at home since it was outdoors and it’s too cold to do that here. On the other hand, I felt less safe in the grocery store, but I assume there are places that are just as strict about masks on the island as you’d see in the U.S. At the end of the day, you’ll most likely figure out where you’re comfortable once you arrive. Just like at home, there will be places you’ll choose to avoid.
Last edited by dvesc; 12/27/2020 04:55 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: badbenni]
#243422
12/27/2020 05:01 PM
12/27/2020 05:01 PM
|
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306 Tustin CA
d_fish
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 306
Tustin CA
|
I agree with Badbenni. We have been on the island since December 7, returning to recommission our catamaran we left hastily last March. We were supposed to depart Dec 31 for SXM but the way covid was beginning to surge in California, we decided to cut and run early, which I believe was a prudent decision looking at current infection rates back in CA. I feel very safe here compared to Southern California.
Our first 10 days back we stayed in a charming ocean front airbnb in Simpson Bay close to the bridge, while we shuttled back and forth to our vessel daily. We noticed that to enter a grocery store, bank or retail, hand washing or sanitizing was required prior to entry in addition to mandatory masks. Some stores limit the numbers of patrons inside while shopping.
We have now launched our boat and moved aboard. Simpson Bay is very quiet, not many vessels anchored or in the marinas.
We have dined out multiple times and choose outdoor tables in the breeziest location possible and furthest away from other diners. With the exception of 2 restaurants, all servers wore masks. We have had wait staff thank us for returning to the Island and dining at their establishment. People here are grateful.
We did rent a car this past weekend to take a break from boat projects and spent Christmas Eve at Anse Marcel Beach Club, it was fantastic as usual although the weather not the best as Christmas winds arrived right on schedule. Christmas day we explored the Dutch side, spent a few hours at Maho watching planes land, stopping in for an afternoon beverage at Sunset. We have never seen Maho so deserted in all our trips. We decided to look for another beach and happened upon Mullet Bay, the parking lot was jammed packed full, so we decided to keep on exploring as we are not so familiar with the Dutch side.
All in all, we are extremely happy to be here. We plan to stay on the Dutch side in Simpson Bay until late January, then we hope to sail to the French side and spend a month there before deciding to where to venture next. We will continue to take necessary precautions and mitigate our personal risk. And yes it is all about everyone's personal comfort zone and risk tolerance.
Last edited by d_fish; 12/27/2020 06:55 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: badbenni]
#243431
12/27/2020 05:38 PM
12/27/2020 05:38 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,573 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,573
Ohio
|
In talking to my long-time local taxi driver friend, he stated just as you did. Pretty much a mask is required to enter most to all businesses, temperature checks, hand sanitizer, etc. I am not there so I can not see anything firsthand but for someone to expect to see masks at the beach, I just do not get that thought at all.
Thanks for your input.
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: vetteguy]
#243522
12/28/2020 06:47 PM
12/28/2020 06:47 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106 Southport, North Carolina, US
candj
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
|
We are booked to take our annual visit to St Martin in February but I have some concerns about safety on the island with respect to Covid 19. Our rental property is in Orient Village so we will be spending most of our time in that area but will also travel throughout the island. I would like to hear from those now in SXM or have recently visited the island, what your feelings have been? Have you been comfortable with the precautions taken for Covid and did you feel safe? Are most of the residents and tourists following these precautions? re: wearing of masks, sanitizing of hands and distancing? Did you feel safe to go out to restaurants, grocery stores or shopping?
We were there from November 28th through December 12th and we thought we were safer there than at home. There are so few people that the restaurants were near vacant. The restaurants had people sanitize their hands, took their temperatures and and tables were spaced apart. People wore their mask up to the tables sand then took them off. The beach chairs were far apart. We have been home for three weeks and we see more problems here than in SXM.
Fair winds and following seas! SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom! SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
|
|
|
Re: Safety in St Martin during Covid
[Re: boucharda]
#243559
12/29/2020 09:29 AM
12/29/2020 09:29 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,085 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,085
Central Florida!
|
I had a blood test that said that I am low in Vitamin D, so I have been taking supplements for a couple of months now, for other reasons than Covid, but if it helps ward off Covid, it's an added bonus.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|