PCR test in SXM

Any info on PCR tests in SXM (preferably in Maho area)

Hi George, I see you are also from Hamilton ON. In Maho you can get an RT PCR test at the Mullet Bay Medical Clinic. Results in 24 hours. It is a walk in clinic and the current cost is $106 USD. There is a less expensive place in Orange Grove which charges $75 USD. The tests and results are good for return to Canada when you upload to the Arrivecan app with your vaccination info.. Phil

A bit more information.

The swabbing takes place in the morning hours between 8 and 10am and results are back in 24 hrs

I would not go to the Maho clinic. Been there done that. The wait can be forever. Here is a link - it’s in Simpson Bay, above AvantikA. Quick, professional and very efficient.


COVID testing

What about Orient Bay or Hope Estates area?

Our kids used Medwork in Simpson Bay as well. We were able to make the appointment before we left the US thanks to info on TTOL. It worked out great--they were in and out in no time.

George--Here is a link to testing at various places on the island. Link

Do you need a PCR test for sure, or will an antigen test work? If you're returning to the US, then an antigen test will be fine. They are cheaper and quicker. We have used Medwork in the past and will use them again soon. They give you an EXACT appointment time, and they run absolutely ON time. You can make an appointment online a week or so in advance. You have to pay in advance, but if your plans change, you can cancel and get your money back. If an antigen test will work, you can go get tested at your appointed time, and will be out of there by maybe 10 or 15 minutes total time. Then go eat breakfast or whatever, and by the time you finish breakfast, you can go back and pick up printed copy of your results, OR have them email them to your phone. Very easy, very organized. They do PCR testing also, but I have no idea what the turnaround time is on those tests.

It looks like George is from Canada. It must be a PCR. BUT medwork is still the way to go.

OK, didn't see that. Kim--do you have any idea of the turnaround time for PCR at Medwork?

I think the website says 24 hours.

ok

With all the questions and stress getting testing for SXM, it is great to have
Medwork returning home!
They do a great job.

Wow, I didn't expect this many results in such a short time, thank you everyone! Yes I'm in Canada, and for now at least we need PCR to return. We arrive home on Nov. 4, so there is some time left for change of test, but I'm doubtful.
We stay in Maho, and never rent a car, so I would like somewhere local. I will check out the different options . Again, thank you all.
George

George---options in Maho are not going to be nearly as convenient, as you can't make a definite appointment, etc. In my opinion, it would be worth your while to pay the cost for a taxi to get to Medwork.

If you are staying at Sonesta or one of the Royal Islander properties, you can sign up for testing at Sonesta.

Thanks Carol. That could be an option. I am quite familiar with Simpsons Bay (our go to if not Sonesta). Buses along Welfare Road from Sonesta are frequent and cheap.
George

I am at Sonesta, but I believe they are antigen only.
George

You can take a 5 minute walk down the street and get your PCR test at the Mullet Bay Medical Clinic.

WALK-IN
No appointment needed.
Please bring passport(s).

RT-PCR by accredited laboratory swabbing at 8-10 am, results in 24 hours.


**Testing is on weekdays.

Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

I will be there on the Dutch side in November and will plan on using Medwork. I am returning on Sunday 11/14/21. What day will I need to get the test done at Medwork? I can't remember what the turnaround is for returning to the US? I'm sure I have read it here somewhere.

3 days not hours.

George--OK, you're braver than I am, taking busses, but if that will work for you, I would definitely do that to go to Medwork, over Mullet Bay Clinic. Having a definite appointment when on vacation is priceless to me, to avoid waiting forever and wasting valuable vacation time.

We take them to Simpsons Bay and Philipsburg all the time, never had a problem, even taken them from Maho to Marigot.
George

Does Pharmacie Caraïbes in Hope Estate do testing? I thought I saw that mentioned on a different thread. If so, has anyone used them lately?

My understanding is that Antigen testing is available at many French side pharmacies. The Canadian poster needs a PCR test to return home. PCR testing on the French side is limited, and is preferred to be limited to contact tracing or symptomatic patients . Most (all?) PCR tests are sent to Guadeloupe for processing, and have a projected minimum of 36 hours for results.

Hi George
We used Pharmacy Bellveve im Marigot.
Make appointment a couple of days before you leave.
Easy Only $90 for two
My daughter used them also before she left.

Ron--again, the original poster needs a PCR test.

Hi Carol. It just occurred to me in a rare cognitive state, that you may have been referring to Covid 19 as a basis for your fear of buses. I hadn't thought of that, and may have to revisit my travel preferences!
George

George--I didn't take busses in SXM before Covid and I sure as heck wouldn't take one now..

Well, at least that makes me feel a little bit better. lol
George

George -- I try to be pretty careful with Covid stuff.

With the resistance of the locals to get Vaccinated and not take the Covid precations seriously I wouldn't get close to a bus on SXM.

You and Carol are probably right. It sounds like good advice. A breakthrough case and negative result on that PCR test would cost a lot more than the difference between cab and bus.
George

OK, now for getting to SXM, I enquired today at my local Pharmacy about antigen tests for entering. The pharmacist asked if rapid antigen tests were permissable . I don't know, anyone know the difference, and what is acceptable?
George

Fellow Canadian here. Did you ask your pharmacist the brand of antigen test they perform at the pharmacy here in Canada? I’m trying to get my ducks in a row for our January trip.

Taken right from the Sint Maarten government website.


"The list of acceptable rapid antigen tests includes the Abbott (CGIA Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid test), Becton Dickinson (CGIA BD Veritor COVID-19 test), Roche (SD Biosensor F test) and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. The list is constantly being reviewed as government continues to seek the most accurate alternatives to the PCR test which remains St. Maarten’s gold standard testing method."

The Bellevue pharmacy worked great for our large group.

Thank you bdeeley! The one they do at my local pharmacy is the Abbott Panbio. I would just hate to find out at the last minute that EHAS doesn’t recognize the antigen tests used here in Canada.

Not Easy Peasy at all. Has it changed since January? We spent hours there getting tested (before it was mandatory to get tested). We were in the same waiting lines as patients to see the Doctor. We had to get screened first then tested. Paid the clinic 35.00 for the screening then 70 to the lab in the back. Then had to come back and get the results. I really hope it has changed as it is an SLS lab in the back and shouldn’t be so difficult.

I can't speak to your experience and your experience doesn't define everyone else's experience. I know people who have gone there, presented their passport and gotten registered in a few minutes, gone around the back and gotten swabbed and left. They returned the next day to get their results. It's not the cheapest solution on the island but can be pretty convenient for someone staying in Maho that isn't renting a car. Not every solution is perfect for every individual. Sounds pretty Easy, Peasy, Lemon Squeeze to me.

Do you have personal experience with the clinic? Up to date information since January?

Yes, the people I know have been there and tested at the Clinic since January.

I went to a Fortino's pharmacy in Hamilton with bdeely's list. They said there was at least one they could do, I think it was the CGIA Panbio COVID 19 Ag rapid test. He pointed to one on the list, but I was only concerned that they did one that was acceptable. Who knows if they will be changed or not by flight time.
George

Thank you for your list it was very helpful.
George

You are welcome. Very best wishes on your upcoming trip.

Glad it’s changed since January.

I'm quite sure that when you went in January, it was high-time and more crowded than in the spring. A place like the clinic, that is doing double duty, has greater demands than just a testing site and I'm sure is not always the best at pleasing the customers with something like the testing.