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Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? #260747
07/17/2021 06:52 AM
07/17/2021 06:52 AM
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PelicanPirate Offline OP
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Any recommendations on where to go on Dutch side for either easiest (like quick or no appointment) or cheap or free exit test?

Does everywhere require an appointment? Does everywhere cost money?

SXM Sponsors
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260753
07/17/2021 09:04 AM
07/17/2021 09:04 AM
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Posts: 82,480
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Everywhere on the Dutch side costs money, yes. And frankly, you don't WANT a place that has no appointments, as then you wait in line, usually in the sun, wasting valuable vacation time. As far as I know, the places that do tests on the Dutch side are listed in the link in the very first post, pinned to the top of the forum. We used Medworks and it was extremely prompt and (fairly) painless. Unless the US drops it's testing requirements, that's where we will go back to in October.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260760
07/17/2021 09:28 AM
07/17/2021 09:28 AM
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Kennys Online content
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$ 45.00 at the French Pharmacy in Bellevue.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260762
07/17/2021 09:44 AM
07/17/2021 09:44 AM
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Kansas City
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We went to Sun Pharmacie in Marigot. $40 each. First checked in at the store about 9:30. Told to go to metal door down the street at 11:00. They give you a number. It gave us some time to go to Marigot market and get souvenirs for the grandkids. The metal door seriously leads into what looks like a dumpster area with a little tent. They start calling numbers and testing at 10:00. Returned about 10:45. Waited in line in sun until our numbers (59 & 60) were called. They swab, tell you to come back in 20 min. You get a paper that you then take back to pharmacy and they print results. We were done by about 11:45.

Would I do this again? Yes, but I would arrive at Sun Pharmacie at 8:00 when they open to have one of the first numbers, go to breakfast, and then return at 10:00 for test.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: KC2SXM] #260764
07/17/2021 09:56 AM
07/17/2021 09:56 AM
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Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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We used Medworks in Simpson Bay also at tge suggestion of my daughter who uses them all the time, and while they were more expensive, we booked from home before getting to the island and will definitely use them again next trip. We showed up at the reserved appointed time and were taken immediately with the tests done and results ready within an hour and a half in printed format. EZ PZ. Worth the money not having to wait around in the hot sun.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260767
07/17/2021 10:59 AM
07/17/2021 10:59 AM
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Auburn, WA
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If your staying at Royal Palm, Atrium, Simpson Bay Resort, Flamingo or La Vista you can get test done without Appt next to Hollywood casino between 5pm - 7pm. Results at your resort Front Desk at 9pm same day. Cost is $75.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: SXMScubaman] #260771
07/17/2021 01:04 PM
07/17/2021 01:04 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Scubaman--which is MORE than the tests at Medwork, where you can get an appointment, and you get your test result back in under an hour. How long do people wait in line there?


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260773
07/17/2021 01:51 PM
07/17/2021 01:51 PM
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Posts: 685
Rhode Island
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We got ours at SLS. St Martin Lab Services. 1 Street away from hospital. Hamster Dr. Dental clinic sign on corner. Made appt. $65. Very smooth.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260775
07/17/2021 02:15 PM
07/17/2021 02:15 PM
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Posts: 151
Salem, MO. USA
Monty Offline
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We used Maho Resort next to Royal Islander where we were staying . Sign up the day before you want the test and time. Short wait. $60.00 each person.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Bluesfan] #260778
07/17/2021 03:42 PM
07/17/2021 03:42 PM
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Bluesfan--someone else here reported that they had to wait like two hours in line at SLS, even though they had an appointment. Did you wait?


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #260781
07/17/2021 04:34 PM
07/17/2021 04:34 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
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Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
Scubaman--which is MORE than the tests at Medwork, where you can get an appointment, and you get your test result back in under an hour. How long do people wait in line there?

We got there at 4:50 and was done with testing at 5:15. Picked up results at Flamingo front desk at 9. No parking, just a short walk. All about convenience.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #260783
07/17/2021 05:06 PM
07/17/2021 05:06 PM
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Rhode Island
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SLS test: No. We made appt for 1pm and walked right in. With interview and injection it took about 45 min. Got email results by 4pm. This was around June 16.

Last edited by Bluesfan; 07/17/2021 05:09 PM.
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Bluesfan] #260785
07/17/2021 05:33 PM
07/17/2021 05:33 PM
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OK


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Kennys] #261181
07/23/2021 08:56 AM
07/23/2021 08:56 AM
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PelicanPirate Offline OP
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Thanks Kennys. We did this at Bellevue. Drive over day before and book a one hour test window for future day inside the pharmacy at the desk. I suppose it might be possible to call if you dont have a language issue on the phone. They give you a form to fill out and bring back. When you come back you go to courtyard behind pharmacy and give them your form and ID and they give you a new piece of paper with a number. They call your number, swab you and you wait 30 minutes or less for answer and you pay $45 card or cash and you get piece of paper suitable for travel if negative. Make sure they spell your name correctly and results paper in English.

Monoprix store and little restaurant right next door while you wait. Park n the Monoprix parking lot off Rue du Hollande.

Easy peasy if you are near the causeway on Dutch side.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261182
07/23/2021 09:05 AM
07/23/2021 09:05 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Still sounds like a lot of work to me. Two trips to the French side, not sure how much time overall, and you saved $50 over what we paid, for two people. Maybe we'll be lucky and not have to test upon our return in October. If we do, we will go back to Medwork.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #261189
07/23/2021 09:27 AM
07/23/2021 09:27 AM
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We were over there anyway and made the appointment. No traffic either time. So with the group we saved $300.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261190
07/23/2021 09:54 AM
07/23/2021 09:54 AM
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OK, forgot you had a big group. Makes a lot more sense. handshake


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261242
07/23/2021 07:25 PM
07/23/2021 07:25 PM
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With making the appointment from home for Medworks, do you happen to have the contact info on how to do that? Thank you.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Phyllis] #261246
07/23/2021 08:08 PM
07/23/2021 08:08 PM
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Uksimonusa Offline
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Originally Posted by Phyllis
With making the appointment from home for Medworks, do you happen to have the contact info on how to do that? Thank you.


https://medcare.aw/en/covid-test-sxm/

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261247
07/23/2021 08:26 PM
07/23/2021 08:26 PM
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Phyllis Offline
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Thank you for that site. And for getting back into the US, it's the antigen test, not the PCR or any other? Thank you!

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261248
07/23/2021 08:29 PM
07/23/2021 08:29 PM
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Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Best and/or cheapest with ANYTHING does not usually go hand in hand.


J.D.
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Phyllis] #261250
07/23/2021 08:57 PM
07/23/2021 08:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Phyllis
Thank you for that site. And for getting back into the US, it's the antigen test, not the PCR or any other? Thank you!


Antigen test is all you need, very quick took us less than 5 mins to be tested, results by email in about an hour, if you want a print out, recommended, just go back during opening times and they print it out for you.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Phyllis] #261256
07/23/2021 09:44 PM
07/23/2021 09:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,480
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Antigen or PCR test are both acceptable to get back into the US. Antigen is cheaper and quicker.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #261259
07/24/2021 12:01 AM
07/24/2021 12:01 AM
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Posts: 3,278
Maryland/DC Metro
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I will be bringing these with me in October, and doing it this way. wink

https://www.veritasgenetics.com/covid-19-travelsafe/


"It is good to do nothing all day, and then to rest" wink
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261266
07/24/2021 09:02 AM
07/24/2021 09:02 AM
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Phyllis Offline
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Thank you, everyone!

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: BeachKitten] #261282
07/24/2021 11:58 AM
07/24/2021 11:58 AM
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mdaughtry Offline
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Originally Posted by BeachKitten
I will be bringing these with me in October, and doing it this way. wink

https://www.veritasgenetics.com/covid-19-travelsafe/


This looks like a great option - 2 tests for $100 - has anyone else used Veritas for returning to US?

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261283
07/24/2021 12:26 PM
07/24/2021 12:26 PM
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Posts: 248
Boston, MA
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sxmBoston Offline
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We did the Antigen test at the Pharmacy in Hope Estates. $40 each

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: mdaughtry] #261300
07/24/2021 07:55 PM
07/24/2021 07:55 PM
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Rhode Island
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eightzerobits Online content
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We’re going to be using the Veritas tests this week 🤞

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261603
07/29/2021 12:57 PM
07/29/2021 12:57 PM
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Rhode Island
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eightzerobits Online content
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We did our Veritas Genetics rapid antigens tests in our hotel room this morning. The procedure was observed via Zoom for 2 adults and 2 kids. End to end took less than 15 minutes to complete and have the results read. Certification of results in PDF form was in my inbox is less than an hour. Send those off to Verifly (American Airlines partner) and they were accepted. Overall great experience, $150 to test four people and no lines or anything. I’ll update this thread of there are any problems getting home, but definitely glad we went this route. Divi “ran out of test kits” yesterday so we would have had to venture out to find tests 😬

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261605
07/29/2021 12:59 PM
07/29/2021 12:59 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Be sure and print out those results as they will want to see it at airport check-in.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261606
07/29/2021 01:13 PM
07/29/2021 01:13 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Sorry, what's the purpose of this Verifly? In St. Maarten, you will still have to stand in line at the airport, I think..

Thanks for the feedback on your testing.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #261607
07/29/2021 01:29 PM
07/29/2021 01:29 PM
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Rhode Island
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eightzerobits Online content
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Honestly I don’t know if Verifly gains us anything in SXM but AA sent us an email to do it. Maybe it’ll let us check in online I don’t know. But yes we also have everything printed out (which Verifly also tells you to do).

At some airports (not SXM) Verifly let’s you skip the whole verification part at the airport.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261612
07/29/2021 02:21 PM
07/29/2021 02:21 PM
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OK, do post an update as to your actual experience on checking in and at the airport.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: SXMScubaman] #261618
07/29/2021 02:54 PM
07/29/2021 02:54 PM
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Posts: 760
Chicago area & St-Martin
ChiTownHarry Online content
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Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
Be sure and print out those results as they will want to see it at airport check-in.


Really? We got our tests in our room at Les Balcons; they arranged for a nurse to come in to do the tests. 40 euro each.

Nobody ever checked the test results in Saint Martin or upon entry to the US. JetBlue had us sign a doc that stipulated that we had the tests and the results were negative.


--ChiTownHarry
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: ChiTownHarry] #261619
07/29/2021 02:58 PM
07/29/2021 02:58 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Harry--AA definitely checked ours in SXM. They had people going through the HUGE check in line to verify test results, AND they checked them again at the counter. No one checked them in Miami though.


Carol Hill
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261621
07/29/2021 03:13 PM
07/29/2021 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by eightzerobits
We did our Veritas Genetics rapid antigens tests in our hotel room this morning. The procedure was observed via Zoom for 2 adults and 2 kids. End to end took less than 15 minutes to complete and have the results read. Certification of results in PDF form was in my inbox is less than an hour. Send those off to Verifly (American Airlines partner) and they were accepted. Overall great experience, $150 to test four people and no lines or anything. I’ll update this thread of there are any problems getting home, but definitely glad we went this route. Divi “ran out of test kits” yesterday so we would have had to venture out to find tests 😬


Thank you for updating, I ordered from Veritas this week for my wife and I. Let us know if the airline had any issues. Thank you!

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: PelicanPirate] #261622
07/29/2021 03:18 PM
07/29/2021 03:18 PM
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Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
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We just made appts. @ Bellevue pharmacie for tomorrow 10 AM - $47 pp.


I'm going where the weather suits my clothes.
Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #261624
07/29/2021 03:27 PM
07/29/2021 03:27 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
Harry--AA definitely checked ours in SXM. They had people going through the HUGE check in line to verify test results, AND they checked them again at the counter. No one checked them in Miami though.

Same here.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: Carol_Hill] #261660
07/30/2021 02:58 PM
07/30/2021 02:58 PM
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Rhode Island
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eightzerobits Online content
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Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
OK, do post an update as to your actual experience on checking in and at the airport.


After being verified by Verifly we were able to checkin online for our AA flight and get mobile boarding passes.

Re: Best and/or cheapest place for exit test for back to USA? [Re: eightzerobits] #261662
07/30/2021 03:32 PM
07/30/2021 03:32 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, checking in online is good. I assume you haven't left yet? Hopefully if most people are able to check in online, then there will be a line just to check bags, and that will greatly lessen the lines at check in at the airport. Please post another update when you can.


Carol Hill
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