Red Cross Covid Test - French Side Hope Estates

Thanks to a post by Beachlovers84, we learned that the Red Cross is doing drive through Covid testing on the French side. While they open at 9, we just went there and they were very nice, but explained if we wanted the antigen test- which the US will accept, they do not start that testing till 11. The Red Cross area is just to the South of SMEC building, and it seems pretty well organized, they have drive through tents, and they wanted to make sure we had the timing right. The CDC says you must have the test no more than 3 days before the flight https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/testing-international-air-travelers.html The Red Cross thought that meant within 3 days of the flight and said they thought we were too early, but the example on the CDC website says that if the flight is at 1 pm Friday, the US will accept a test taken on Tuesday or any day thereafter. The Red Cross said it was up to us, and so we are going back today to get it out of the way. For those that want to use Bio Poie - I filled out forms for my wife and I on Sunday, and got an email saying I would hear back, but have not heard back yet.

barry--I see this is supposed to be free, which doesn't make sense to me. Is this the same place that Rondon referred to? And what is Bio Poie?

Bio Pole is the name of a laboratory which has operations on all of the French Caribbean islands. I know that they do the actual analysis for rt-PCR testing, but not much more about them.

I think, but don't know for sure, that rt-PCR testing is free (paid for by the French government), but Antigen testing is only done for a fee. You can probably get an Antigen test at most pharmacies on the French side, rather than queuing up at the Red Cross site in Hope Estate.

Why should PCR tests be free, for non-French citizens?

Slippery slope here, we'll be getting political in no time.

Perhaps the French government believes that widespread testing is a good thing, and wants to get as many people tested as possible. It's not just St Martin, it's the same over on St Barth, which suggests that it is nation wide. rt-PCR testing is free, Antigen testing costs. If you're French, bring your national health insurance card, your Carte Vitale. If you're not French, bring your passport.

OK, makes no sense to me, but whatever..

So we went back today at 11, the entire process took about 15 minutes. At the first tent, they took your info and checked your passport and used that to enter data into the system, including your email. They did not ask for confirmation of residing on the French side, or a plane ticket. They said they do antigen testing from 11 to 2 pm, and yes, there is no charge, it is a service of the Red Cross. You then drive around to the second tent, the attendant confirms the info , including the email address, and then takes the swap. I liked that they used the passport info to enter the testing info, that eliminates the problem with using a different name for the test. He said the test takes about 15 minutes, but if we did not get the results in a few hours, we could come back and ask for the results. He also said if we needed print copies, we could come back the next day. Within a few hours, we both received emails with a link to a password protected document which was the results. The one issue is that if you save the document to your phone, it will still be password protected, so you might want to write it down when it comes to having it handy to open up when you get to the airport, and the US. I was able to send it to a friend in the US who opened it and printed it and scanned it back to me so I won't have to fumble for the password.

They are located past the Smec, at Hope Estates, sorry about the photo, but the first one shows the SMEC building, and far in the distance you can see the flags for the Red Cross. The second photo shows the two tents. When we were there was no line, but they had tons of cones in a field so it looks like they could accommodate a number of cars.

I asked at the first tent if we could give a donation, and they said they do not accept money locally, but can go to a website. When we went to the second tent, where they actually do the swap, we talked to the two gentlemen there and again I asked about a donation. They said they do not accept money locally, and that if we go to the website, it goes to the main branch - at least I think that is what they said, both said there English was not very good, and my French is not much more that Bon jour. One of them said if we wanted to give locally, we could drop off supplies. I asked what they needed, and they said soap, toiletries , and feminine hygiene products, so we stopped by the Leader Price on the way back to the beach and filled up a bag. They said they accept drop offs starting around 9, so I will make my drop off tomorrow.

Excellent! I just took a screenshot of the results and had no trouble showing it to the airline representatives at the airport, no need for a hard copy.

Thank for the update.

Beachlovers, do you have to show it again at immigration control in the US ? my concern is that it looks like it is mostly in French - I did not see any English on it, though negative looks the same in French and English.

It is free but a donation to the Red Cross might be nice.

We went to the Red Cross location today for our test. 7 of us arrived around noon. We were the only people there. I told him that we were staying in Terres Basses, but it didn't seem to make any difference to him. The people helping us were incredibly friendly and helpful. They did the swab that went way up your nose, but only did one nostril. They knew the kids would not like it, so 2 different people did the kids at exactly the same time. The kids weren't happy, but it was over quick. Next thing you know, they brought the kids chocolate chip cookies. Results were emailed to us within an hour.
Can't say enough good things about how we were treated.
Scott

Thanks for the report!