Are Things Going to be Open?

So we're supposed to fly to St. Maarten from Toronto for a week tomorrow. It appears as though our flight (Air Transat) will still go but we're still going back and forth as to if we should go or not. It sounds as though the government of Canada is about to recommend against International travel but not necessarily restrict it. We're a bit worried about getting down there and not being able to get home. We've rented through VRBO and we'd be out alot of money for the rental if we don't go. With less visitors travelling and cruise ships seemingly shutting down are most things on St. Maarten still likely to be open? Restaurants, shops, beach bars etc? Probably seems like a dumb question but just trying to gather as much information as we can before we make our final decision on going.

Go, have a great time, I would not hesitate to go. Heading to Cabo tomorrow, NY soon after that and then likely Vegas.

Have you heard the joke about Corona Virus? You probably won't get it.

Cheers,
T

I had to think about that and finally got it. Good one.

I would stay home. You want to get inside an aluminum can with 200 other people you do not know? Saying you would NOT get the virus is foolish. Do some research on the Spanish Flu 100 years ago!! Just my opinion.

Things will be open on SXM, yes. As to whether you should go and what the Canadian government will do in future, not sure anyone here can answer that.

We are here now. Business as usual.

I'm starting to look at this another way. Many couldn't do this, family, cost, work, etc, but what if we get there and our revered leader decides to shut the Country down like they did in China. It looks very much on the cards. In other words nobody allowed back in until the dust settles and when I say nobody I mean nobody including US citizens. I remember as early as the beginning of this year, a woman who went to see family in England and couldn't get back to her home in China. She didn't know what to do at the time but on reflection when she did get back it was the best thing that could of happened to her.

Anyway, having another 3-4 weeks of forced exile with a tiny population that hopefully has far less chances of being infected due to size, whilst all possible hell breaks lose back home as we await for the curve to flatten may not be such a bad thing. Expensive yes, but possibly life saying. If one is going to worry, might as well enjoy yourself at the same time. Just a thought.

my wife and I just decided not to go,orient beach is our favorite beach,but the risk of getting trapped there is overwhelming.we were going to fly out next week.

It's just such a tough call, we're supposed to fly in 16 hours. My only real fear is getting stuck there and not being able to get a flight home. They've already closed schools and offices here for three weeks so we'll be self-isolating for two weeks after anyway so not so concerned about that. Just concerned about whether our flight back home a week from now will be going or not and if it's not what other options we'd have to get home.

Just got back earlier this week and believe me when I tell you that everything is up-and-running (bars, restaurants, etc.). There is only one potential case of COVID-19 on St. Martin, but I don't believe it has been confirmed at this time. The concerns, however would include a sudden outbreak of this in the West Indies that could lead to a travel ban from the island back to Canada, or even possible quarantine once you return. The other concern is not knowing what you may encounter in the airport or on the plane. We carried clorox wipes with us, and wiped down everything within reach once we were seated. The trouble with COVID-19 (besides being quite contagious), is the long latency period it possesses between the time someone is infected, and when they eventually become symptomatic. Just because someone isn't coughing or sneezing near you on the plane doesn't ensure they don't have the virus.

On St. Martin they are being proactive fighting this. I saw this first hand. Signs and marquees instructing residents and visitors on proper care to avoid getting COVID-19 are all over the place. The questions you are asking are difficult to answer, but if you do decide to go I would bring along a package of clorox or lysol wipes and use them as much as you can. These wipes can kill coronavirus on surfaces that you clean.

I’m supposed to leave for SxM next Sunday. I’m also on the fence about going. Same concerns as you. Don’t want to get stuck there for any length of time ( or maybe I do ??)..... plus what if an outbreak happens on the island. Will the hospitals be able to accommodate if need be ?? So many concerns. Ughhhh... I’m leaning towards not going. But not sure yet. Will go in the near future. Hopefully.

As I mentioned......you wont have any options to get back home but at the end of the day, life is full of what if"s and only you can make that decision. So only a few months ago we were in a bit of a panic due to the strikes and it could have gotten very ugly as opposed to a massive inconvenience. If whilst you are there they shut the country down, again, you have no options, its that simple and just stay there and enjoy it, if you are able to financially and have no commitments. What else can you do? However, if an outbreak occurs in SXM, who knows what happens....? Not easy..I have about 3 weeks to decide but for those who have less than 10 days or so, I understand where you are coming from.

AS another Canadian, I definitely would not travel anywhere outside the country right now. Our department of health is strongly recommending that and have stated you are on your own if you disobey these orders. You should not lose your money for anything if your government states you are not to leave the country. VRBO will have to acknowledge that and the airlines here are refunding your money or giving you a voucher for future travel, I know this is probably not what you want to hear, but hopefully it will enable you to make a wise decision.SXM is not going anywhere and there will be lots of opportunities in the future. Also the USA has just declared this as a National Emergency as the cases there have risen greatly in the last few days. Canada has many fewer cases but our government is taking measures quickly to eliminate as many cases as possible.

It is my understanding that Americans who are in Europe right now are free to come home. Correct me if I am wrong.

Yes, but some will be screened if they have any health issues or suspected of having any and then not sure what happens after that.

. You should not lose your money for anything if your government states you are not to leave the country..
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But the problem right now is they are not banning travel, they are only advising against it. I think it might be a grey area right now. The travel industry may take it as you cancelling, therefore they may assess cancellation charges,though this may change anytime.
George

Plus, the vendors we are talking about in many cases are outside the US (or Canada, as the case may be). So they are free to ignore whatever. Many will allow reservations to be moved, but they are under no obligation to do so. Frankly, I would doubt if many, if any, will allow cancellation and refund of money. The best chance one might have, I guess, is if you paid with a credit card and dispute the charge. No idea how that would turn out. Everyone is in an extremely difficult position.

I postponed our trip to SXM. I want to wait and see. The US is now under a National Emergency.

if Governments are that serious about no travel then they should Ban airlines from flying period .

I fead of a family that returned from Europe and had no questions about health or the virus. No concerns from immigration.

Ugh we cancelled. Terribly frustrated but the right thing to do. We were able to get a flight credit for the flights and a refund on the rental car. Just working through the villa we had booked, hoping that whatever we work out with the owner, our trip cancellation insurance will cover the difference. We've only ever spent one day on St. Maarten on a cruise. We had to cancel our trip in 2018 because of Irma and now 2020 because of COVID-19, just not sure this one was meant to be. Stay healthy all!

Looks like all cruises in and out of US are suspended for 30 days. Mid summer for Canada ports.

Apparently the airplanes have to keep flying to keep their spots at the airports. Ghost planes flying in the sky.

You did the right thing as disappointing as it might be. Your trip cancellation insurance will take care of your accommodation. I had to cancel a couple of years ago and my trip cancellation insurance covered everything. You will get there eventually when you can relax and enjoy all the island has to offer!

I spoke to a lot of friends on island today and everything is normal, no panic no crazy buying, plenty of everything including toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the stores ,warm weather and gorgeous beaches. We are moving our trip up from April to next week as we found a great airfare and would rather be there than home with people maybe getting me sick and stores shut down. The virus does not do well in warm climates so we will just take precautions on the plane , modern airplanes have hospital grade filtering systems. Just us but we will not just sit at home listening to CNN gloom and doom hyping this up for their benefit. And if we do get the virus so what. My doctor said go enjoy. We’re not elderly we don’t have medical health issues and in most cases it’s not as bad as the flu and it’s not the end of the world, we would recover. So far as far as I’ve heard only one possible coronavirus case On the entire island ...I’m not worried. We have been going to SXM for 25 years, this is an opportunity to enjoy some extra time in the sun. And by looking at the seat maps the flights coming up are not empty so people are still going so we are not alone. The hysteria has really gotten Crazy and in a few months people are gonna look back and see how ridiculous this really was the overreaction. IMO

We're on the island now and have been since the beginning of February. To the best of my knowledge, the island has ONE unconfirmed case in quarantine on the French side and none on the Dutch side.

Actually the case on the French side is CONFIRMED. There were two confirmed cases, husband and wife, who were isolated at the French hospital. One of them has been released from hospital, as they have subsequently tested negative, but I believe the other person is still in hospital.. To date, no CONFIRMED cases on the Dutch side.

Islandgem--trip insurance MAY cover it and may not. MANY insurance policies have an exclusion for pandemics.