US Flights still coming on August 1

Daily Herald link

Quote from the story "De Weever said there will be stricter health protocols for passengers on these flights. However, these have yet to be released."
UHMN, August 1 is in TWO DAYS and you have not yet released the new stricter health protocols???????????????

I started a new thread here, because the other thread seems to have gone way off the rails, off the original subject...

Which is exactly why I started cancelling my two weeks starting August 8th. Just don't have faith that I will clear every hurdle and they will add a new one. The wife really likes going to the French side so it really isn't worth it anyway at this point. Really hope they get a vaccine soon so that some normalcy can resume.

Go to... https://stmaartenupdates.com

From requirements listed ...

”Visitors are strongly advised to purchase all-risk travel insurance, ensuring that you are covered in any unfortunate situation while on vacation....“

I wonder what this will cost ?

That update still doesn't address with charity if that test has to be taken within the 72 hr window. It is confusing as written along with the answer given in the question answer section.

Give it a rest, Scubaman, the test and result have to both be done within 72 hours. That has been confirmed numerous times.

BGH--'strongly advised' is not the same as 'required'. This may change between now and Saturday, who knows?

It can be read either way and is not clearly stated. Show me where if has been confirmed please.

The Travel Requirements on the EHAS website make for interesting reading. https://stmaartenehas.com/

Both the tourism minister and Dr Soc have confirmed it in online interviews, which are linked on the Island 92 webpage.

Would be nice if government would actually print it saying BOTH have to be done within 72 hrs of arrival instead of the confusing way it's stated now that can be interpreted either way.

Have to admit that is what finally got me to decide to cancel. Just can't get a guarantee that I could take the test and get results within 48 hours. It says 72 but if you are flying on a Saturday you would need to take the test Wednesday at the latest and receive the results on Friday.

Coming from west coast with an overnight flight shortens that time down till arrival.

I posted that in the other thread. I will copy here as well.

What company is that through?

Is medical evacuation included

It's through Seven Corners



Yes, it includes $500,000 of medical evacuation coverage separate from the medical maximums.

Thank you.

Visitors to face fine, imprisonment for fraudulent COVID-19 test results

As St. Maarten prepares to reopen to the United States as of August 1, visitors are warned that fraudulent COVID-19 tests results will violate of the country's Penal Code and could see fraudsters fined or face (isolated) imprisonment. The fine amount and length of imprisonment have not been shared by government.

Visitors with an invalid test will be re-tested and quarantined at their own expense. Those
isitors must stay confined to their accommodation until a negative PCR test results are received, and show no sign of symptoms, except if urgent medical care is needed.

All lodgings (hotels etc.) were inspected by government to ensure COVID-19 protocol and guidelines are followed.

Strict regulations are also in place for travel to the country. All passengers are required to complete a
COVID-19 (PCR) test; must receive a negative test result within 72 hours before the arrival date. No other test will be accepted by St. Maarten.

Visitors, except for flight crew, are required to complete an online health declaration 72 hours before arrival via www.stmaartenentry.com. Visitors are required to travel with a copy of their health declaration. Travelers are asked to check their spam folder if they do not receive email confirmation.

All visitors are required to travel with their masks, hand sanitizers and wear mask in flight.

Visitors are strongly advised to purchase all-risk travel insurance, ensuring that they are covered in any unfortunate situation while on vacation.

American Airlines will resume flights daily from Miami and five times a week from Charlotte, except on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. After August 20, AA will fly once a week from Charlotte.

Delta Airlines will operate three times a week from Atlanta on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Jet Blue will fly once a week from JFK Airport.

Spirit Airlines will fly once a week from Fort Lauderdale.

(Source: Govt. of St. Maarten via Ministry TEATT)

Thanks.

This still doesn't say if test has to be done within that 72 hr period.
"All passengers are required to complete a
COVID-19 (PCR) test; must receive a negative test result within 72 hours before the arrival date."

When reading the website posted, I'm seeing for the first time a "certified negative Covid test".....does this mean notarized? Anyone have a clue what that means??

Another announcement from Government page
"** Public order measures regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) **
According to the Police Kingdom Act, the Minister of Justice is responsible and accountable for both the public order and assistance tasks as well as for the judicial tasks of the police. Pursuant to Article 1 of the General Police Ordinance, everyone must abide by the regulations established by the Minister of Justice during extraordinary circumstances in the interest of public order, peace, or security.
In this regard, the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson, in close consultation with the Police, and the Public Prosecution Service, announces the following. On March 11, The World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus (COVID-19 / SARS-CoV-2) is a global pandemic. Based on this declaration, the Government of St. Maarten took fast and effective measures to prevent the virus from spreading on a national level. By increasing its risk management, implementing and enforcing strict preventive measures such as maintaining a social distance of 2 meters from others, the government was able to curb or even halt the spreading of the coronavirus, within a few months.
Recently, it has become apparent that the risk of infection with the coronavirus is still present on St. Maarten and has become of great concern. On the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, of July, there have been, respectively, 2, 3, and 10 new infected cases confirmed. pandemic. At the same time, it is observed that the public has become less disciplined in keeping with the aforementioned 2 meter social distancing rule.
For maintaining public order and safety as well as safeguarding the health of the people of St. Maarten in these extraordinary circumstances, it is therefore decided that government inspectors and police officers may put a stop to all public and private events and gatherings in the event that the social distancing rule of 2 meters away from other persons is not adhered to. Additionally, everyone – i.e. individuals, shop owners, restaurateurs, or other entrepreneurs - must strictly follow and comply with all measures taken by the competent authorities to prevent, limit or combat the risks of the coronavirus to public safety.
These precautionary and mitigating measures of the government are an effort to help mitigate the spread of the virus. The inspectors and police officers will strictly enforce these measures. All instructions issued by the police for executing and enforcing these measures should, therefore, be strictly and immediately respected. Non-compliance with these measures will be considered a violation of the General Police Ordinance and the Penal Code.
The community is encouraged to stay informed, practice good hygiene, be aware, and be prepared. As a community, we are in this together in order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus on St. Maarten."

https://stmaartenupdates.com/#Requirements

This clearly says complete the test AND receive the results 72 hours prior to departure. Seems pretty clear to me.

For the trip we were to take to Amsterdam 8/12/20 it cost us $1200 for two people for one year. Not going on this trip but we're covered for whatever might happen IF we get to go anywhere.

Here's the latest form teh Daily Herald. https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islan...t-an-online-health-authorisation-request


I looked at www.stmaartenentry.com and it seems that it is almost impossible to comply.

Yup....way too many things can go wrong there. Way too many hoops to jump through to be allowed to relax on "vacation". I like to have my travel needs all taken care of and confirmed months before departure and not left to the last few days.....can I get a test? ...maybe....will I get the results back in time...ummmm who knows....will I be able to properly upload the "permission to enter" document....maybe

It will be interesting to hear first hand comments of those who have to stones to try it....and how smooth it went (kidding). I have a tennis buddy who has a home near SBR and is returning next week. I will email him for insight...

Please share his experience here!

And now Covid 19 insurance is MANDATORY. Feel sorry for anyone planning on traveling in the next few days. Along with your other things you must accomplish, you must obtain insurance in the space of a day or two. Great.

boucharda--please do post when you hear from your friend.

Looks like anyone (including Americans) staying in St. Barts (or other low risk areas) for 2 weeks before heading to St. Maarten will not need to have a test up on entry, but they would been tested before their trip to St. Barts and once in again after 7 days. I don't have that type of money though....

I don't see that it is mandatory? It says strongly recommended but your health insurance is mandatory. I am sick just thinking about how I have to jump through hoops to get to my vacation home.

I share your pain as have been trying since June to get back to my second home. Not a visitor but property owner like you.

The newest twist from the Health Minister is "rt-PCR test methods with an Emergency Use Only Authorization (EUA) approval from the FDA will not be accepted."
I have been getting tested since end of June. Checking each result for method of testing and turn time.
I have tried state/public testing, testing by doctor's request and private labs.
All have the 72 hour issue but were getting better (shorter) so that I was getting ready to try booking a ticket again.
UNTIL this last new requirement.
EVERY type of test results all show the EUA statement.

I don't know why the SXM Health Ministry will not accept the tests approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

I would like to know if ANYBODY who is going to SXM in the next week has been able to meet these new test requirements.

I believe the Health Minister is doing all he can to stop the economic recovery of the island by imposing an unattainable ZERO risk policy.
There is no such thing in life as zero risk.
Risk reduction has to be balanced with real life.

From Herald article.
"Visitors must have health insurance coverage and travel insurance covering COVID-19. "
Also stated that Test has to be taken 72 hrs prior to departure which helps with long layovers with connecting flights.

Gary, I agree and thank you for pointing this out. I was willing to jump through all the hoops SXM required including insurance, even if restricted to the Dutch side. However, I just checked my PCR test results ( I’ve had 3 done since May when NYS and my county opened up testing to asymptomatics) and they all have that FDA statement on the lab report. 2 were done by the NYS dept of health and one by my County of residence. Not sure what the difference is, as all the tests involved an uncomfortable ( though brief) and invasive deep nasal swab. I have no idea how to get a test without that statement on it or if they are even available. This does seem impossible to comply with. Perhaps they will reconsider when virtually no one residing in the USA is able to do this ? Even worse for property owners ( obviously) as I can just choose to visit the USVI in November. I’d prefer SXM of course, but can’t see a way to meet this requirement.

I have a question for anyone here in the medical field. When after wearing a mask for 3 1/2 hours on a flight to SXM and continuing to wear a mask while walking down the steps of the plane, walking to a crowded bus and then going to a temperature check. At this point my blood would be boiling and my sweat would have soaked my clothes, Would my temperature rise due to the heat and exercise?

Gary--wow. What a cluster f*ck. It seems absolutely no one can comply with the requirement.

I'll ask my neighbor. Sure I will see her this weekend.

[quote=Carol_Hill]Gary--wow. What a cluster f*ck. It seems absolutely no one can comply with the requirement.

Perhaps The fact that ‘no one in the States is able to comply’ or at least, not very many, is what the SXM government is hoping for? At least they can tell their constituents they’re trying to do something........

Pat--sounds like it to me..

Elaine--please do post, if your neighbor is able to get in tomorrow.

Gary, I checked out the the St. Maarten Health Authorization System website, and it does say the following



The key here is the naso-pharyngeal swab. This is the swab that goes up your nose and turns in to your sinus cavity and the one that most people say it is uncomfortable. Any other test taken using a different type of swab would not be valid. The challenge is still going to be the EUA statement. I tried finding an RT-PCR test that was approved without an Emergency Use Authorization, but I could not find anything.

I contacted my tennis buddy and he said he HAD plans to arrive on 8/8 but he is selling his business and might not be able to go....BUT...wifey will be going on 8/13 no matter what so that might be the earliest I get any info....they have a house on Island

So I probably won't be the first with arrival info.....

"(last leg in case of connecting flights) "
This makes a big difference for us West coasters with long layovers and overnight connections.

From the St Maarten EHAS website (https://stmaartenehas.com/travel-requirements/):

“9. Travelers with end destination Sint Maarten are required to have health insurance coverage. Additional travel insurance covering COVID-19 related expenses is strongly recommended.”

wilsonck,
Your thought that the naso-pharyngeal swab was the trick is not correct.
I had a doctor ordered test done that had the deep nasal swap. Called a SARS coronavirus w/COV 2 RNA QL Real Time PCR and it did have the FDA EUA notice on the results.
Also had a Florida Public Health test with less intrusive nasal swab. Called a SARS-CoV-2, NAA test and it also had the FDA EUA notice.
So it is important to check your results report carefully to be sure you are not put back on the plane you can in on.
Based on the current (July 28th) Health Minister catch-22 regulation.
Good luck to all and I hope someone who makes it thru imigration at SXM can report back.
Eager travelers are waiting to know.
Thanks all.

For those who like to watch the airport webcam at https://www.mahobeachcam.com/

Jet Blue 787 - JBU787 - is scheduled to arrive at 11:27 (JFK)
American 2478 - AAL2478 - is scheduled to arrive at 1:04 (CLT)
Air France 498 - AFR498 - is scheduled to arrive at 1:15 (CDG)
Spirit 100 - NKS100 - is scheduled to arrive at 1:21 (FLL)
American 1136 - AAL1136 - is scheduled to arrive at 1:30 (MIA)

On a typical day, I would wish the best of luck to the passengers on AAL1136, the 4th flight to arrive in window of less than 30 minutes, for a speedy trip through Immigration. Today, given the restrictive entry requirements, I just hope that they can actually enter.

The latest "adjustments" from the Government of Sint Maarten seem to remove that EUA restriction. Link below:

https://www.facebook.com/SXMGOV/?__...MxE5n1wvCMhqQo6c&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARBO6kZG9F7ek7HD2ePOev0UfPkQG8ZaN5md8G58pS5SFvX8EoOPGySMzMHO5KOvtRuOkSb64pDeojy6MYsK0Ka4FUmcAFxINvG5oXKebpkfS71aYgSs8gBfS5UxvRMnDnZeGhYBKIGJWpRXFrmBVmmX-yrTy2nzFarsRPrAFKZkAm98E6q9J3PU1wK7bTEoErRgBm1jNJuqXw7d-EMABGK5iW2nul4rmcgZ49L5CaA1Lto8OXrVt_hvLuyeCXg2-q0PQfh-UPvMeTP47aWDcXrAE2Yg_4nMnkboX-V5ZvaV8oFYGrz63RyBDePzyjHsf2Q8p2xobW4IOdVFd321ZRIUGvAkCjAbhqfr6-f2w2EVngLQftNQhQE

Thanks and hoping for the best . Got live and move on.

The official requirements are on the EHAS website. Good luck to those who wade their way through it to find out what they actually are today.

Georgia--I'm not certain where that EUA restriction was before, but hopefully you are correct. The page seems to say it was last edited on the 29th, but who knows, at this point? I was looking for something in the Daily Herald, but it seems there is no online paper today? Is today a holiday?

TDH stopped producing a Saturday edition about 3 weeks ago.

Oh, ok, thanks. I missed that.

I was pointing out the only test that would be accepted would be the one you said was done with the deep nasal swab. The test done with the less intrusive nasal swab would not be accepted. However, I am not aware of any covid-19 test in the USA that is done without the FDA Emergency Use Authorization that would fit the requirements for entry to St Maarten.

Carol, I'm not sure, but the post on the Facebook page was minutes before I copied the link here. It's definitely a moving target, either way.

The CV19 shot for the world will be available January 2021.Once most of the world gets the first shot the restrictions will ease and travel should be easier?

That restriction was, and still is, on the EHAS website. The official government Facebook page doesn't have the restriction. Definitely a moving target.

Ridiculous. We shall see what happens today I guess.

Several ministers were there at the airport to greet the Jetblue flight. Conspicuously absent was The Honorable Richard Panneflek, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor.

Yeah, I saw Rolando Brison walking around when Jet Blue landed...

The EHAS webpage, reachable from both www.stmaartenentry.com and www.stmaartenehas.com still has the EUA restriction.

"A rt-PCR test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab only and performed within 72 hrs. prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights) is required for all travelers originating from a country that is categorized as high or moderate risk . Other tests such as antibody tests or antigen tests and tests performed outside of this 72h period will not be accepted. rt-PCR test methods with an Emergency Use Only Authorization (EUA) approval from the FDA will not be accepted."

Pannaflek was there. Pictures on PJIA FB page.

Someone posted this on FB.

Just landed in St Maarten from the USA .. We had our Negative Covid test in hand(antibody test). But they made us pay $125 a piece to take another one at their airport. It have to be an PCR test.
Which is odd because no one gets a PCR Covid test back under the 72 hours as they required. So they are definitely making a big buck of the USA.

Long story short! We made it in and we are ready to enjoy our Villa

Ok, I only saw one picture that was posted by PJIA.

Makes you wonder if they even went the health questionaire website since they would have not been approved with a serology test.

Whatever it takes to enter SXM is not the issue dollar wise... What happens if you test positive (false positive) ? That would be a nightmare! It would be so not worth it to get in some island time.

There is a whole series, and video too!

I believe they were also told to wait at their resort until they got a phone call with the results.

That was the deal, self isolate until results. But if no one is watching...

Supposedly a big fine if caught.

I'm also hearing from someone that they were not asked for insurance when they went through passport control in SXM.

I don't understand how those folks even got on the plane, as they should not even have been able to get on the plane. And definitely NOT a money-making proposition, giving Covid 19 tests.

Someone that was on the Spirit flight from Fort Lauderdale said Spirit never asked for any test documentation or Entry paperwork. They said first time it was checked, was when they got to St. Maarten.

Huh. Doesn't do much good to require stuff that no one checks on.

It was Spirit Air lines. What more can I say.

It's a destination issue not an airline issue. If a traveler meets the requirements to get on a flight I would think their (airline) responsibility ends there. A lot of responsibility for the traveler to deal with on their own

Similar with flying into BOS from the hot zone states right now. COVID test requirements or mandatory quarantine...but not an airline issue at all.

Except if they’re denied entry the airline has to take them back, so you’d think they’d want to check it before boarding.

I've been told by a reliable source that the airline only checks for negative test, not valid test. They probably don't understand it either! Ministry of VSA said there were 30 on the flight who had to be re-tested due to invalid test.

We are now up to 58 active cases.

Is that where they are charging $125 per test?

Yes.

30 people had to be retested, but what about the other people on that plane who were potentially exposed since these 30 had invalid tests? It kind of makes the whole thing pointless.

This is going to stop flights from the USA again IMHO but at least the borders will reopen!

The person that got retested because all they had was the antibody test results at airport got call today they tested negative and are free to go.

Well...invalid tests doesn't equate to all or any being positive...and if the mask thing is real then there should be an issue

How to get to French SXM from Dutch SXM:
Take Winair to SBH, ferry SBH to Marigot.

How to get from French SXM to Dutch SXM: Drive over the border 🙄

Americans would have to be in St. Barts for 2 weeks before being go to French St. Martin

Yep, and the airline pays a hefty fine per passenger for transporting them to SXM when they were denied entry.

I wasn't aware of this hefty fine. Do you have a link to document your statement?

That is news to me too about a hefty fine.

It’s not SXM specific, more of a general airlines are responsible for ensuring a passenger is properly documented.

https://airlines.iata.org/analysis/document-verification-travel-trouble

Except we know masks aren’t 100% effective and people have to take them off to eat and drink. If you’re going to allow people to fly with invalid tests then what is the point?