What does this mean??

Daily Herald story

Does this mean that they are two weeks away from allowing entry ONLY with proof of vaccination?

That's not how I read it. I read it as they are getting QR codes for their residents to show their vax status, much like my parents have on the French side. Nothing about tourists coming into the country, tho I would hope that if they build that infrastructure for their residents they can implement it for travelers. Fingers crossed!

OK, thanks. I was just wishful thinking, I guess..

On our return to SXM a couple of weeks ago the QR code was printed on our approval letters. Happily, no test required.

Nice. Maybe it's a start.

I think that was because you are residents.

My take is that this does signify the start of fully vaccinated people no longer needing a COVID test to enter St. Maarten. Although it doesn't say that specifically, this appears very similar to what several European countries are doing with the QR code system. Spain, for example no longer requires any type of COVID test for vaccinated individuals as long as you can produce proof of vaccination showing you are post 14 days from your second dose (or you have a doctor's statement indicating you had COVID and recovered). The only other requirement they have is downloading a 'health control form' that asks some basic questions about who you are, where you're form, where you're staying, etc. You fill out that form online, send it in, and they e-mail you a document that contains a QR code that gets scanned when you arrive in Spain. You show this document at the airport of departure before you board. Hopefully, this is exactly what SXM is doing in an attempt to open up tourism.

Aruba is now accepting proof of vaccination for entry with no other testing required. BUT, (and it's a big BUT), you have to be able to prove you are vaccinated and those white cards will not work. Right now they are only accepting the SMART health card, which only residents of California and Louisiana or people who got the vaccine at Walmart or Sam's Club can get. They say that are exploring other options as well. I can certainly see St. Martin and others accepting vaccination status, but those cards are easily forged, so they are not likely to accept them and there's so much stupid resistance in the US to any kind of digital proof of vaccination status that it may be that we are stuck with testing for a while. The US had a year to prepare and could have easily assigned non-forgeable QR codes like St. Martin is doing, but didn't.

Yes, of course. My point is they already have the code in place.

Yup...and we were vaccinated in FL and there is no way FL will allow a digital record of vaccinations by any FL company/organization. I think WE are in the "testing forever" group

boucharda--I really hope your statement is not correct.

I also hope I am wrong BUT right now FL will not allow ANY type of online vaccine registry/passport/card/pass by any company and I don't see it changing anytime soon...at least until 2023 if even then

I'm not sure that is exactly correct. Florida law says that a company cannot require proof of vaccination, but that's not the same thing as providing a system to prove that you are in fact vaccinated. Of course what SHOULD happen is that the Feds should come up with a system to verify vaccination.

The truth is......I could easily forge a negative test report. The one I submitted in April that was approved could have been typed by anyone. Not sure there is a lot of difference.

Correct...a PDF can definitely be edited

Yes, and you can also go into the grocery store and pay for your items or just steal them. It all comes down to the type of person you are.

bdeeley-- OK.

Ok. 😁

You are correct......which is why I jumped through all the hoops in April.

I hope you are right.

Ottley also touched on the topic of mandatory vaccination for persons in certain fields, in response to a question from the media.

The minister said in the near future he sees that government may not have to force persons to get vaccinated, as being vaccinated against COVID-19 may very well become “a way life”.
IMHO!! This is a great idea!!! No more of this testing 2-3 days in advance, worrying, the what if's!!!! The EFFEN paperwork nearly gave me and Louise a heart attach!!!

Vaccinations have NEVER been a 100% way of life for many people. No reason to think Covid will change that. "certain Fields" is not enough to get herd immunity

Canada has already stated that if a Canadian falsifies their Covid vaccination status, the penalties are up to $750,000 in fines and 6 months in prison. For any non Canadian coming into Canada, it could be $1,000,000 in fines and up to 3 years in prison. Canada is not messing around here. I don’t think you’ll see many Canadians falsifying their documents with those repercussions.