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New Test! #233207
08/27/2020 02:48 PM
08/27/2020 02:48 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
Maria_and_Steve Offline OP
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Maria_and_Steve  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,296
Colorado and Sailing the World
This may be the game changer we have been waiting for! https://www.nbcnews.com/health/heal...igen-test-granted-authorization-n1238409

SXM Sponsors
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233208
08/27/2020 02:49 PM
08/27/2020 02:49 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
Saw that...now we just have to get it accepted in places we want to travel to. That WOULD be a game changer

Last edited by boucharda; 08/27/2020 02:50 PM.
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233209
08/27/2020 03:35 PM
08/27/2020 03:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
"Antigen tests are cheaper and faster than molecular diagnostic tests but somewhat more likely to fail to identify positive cases of the virus than lab-based diagnostic tests."
Acuracy is the question.

Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233216
08/27/2020 04:51 PM
08/27/2020 04:51 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
ballston lake
J
johnhill Offline
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johnhill  Offline
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J
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
ballston lake
Thanks-could be good news. Trying to find out what type of test they are performing at Princess Juliana airport?

Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233218
08/27/2020 05:11 PM
08/27/2020 05:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
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ecm56  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
Not quite as inexpensive and portable but I was happy to find we have a local health care provider using this test
Quidel Lateral Flow Rapid Test
on a drive-through basis providing results in 15 minutes. They charge $75 but they have to recoup their investment in the machine so I don't feel it's exorbitant.

This also uses the lateral flow technology.

One of the keys will be what tests will the island(s) want to see from arriving tourists? It would be nice if they would get together and agree . . . OK, I will stop dreaming now!

Last edited by ecm56; 08/27/2020 05:14 PM.
Re: New Test! [Re: johnhill] #233226
08/27/2020 07:48 PM
08/27/2020 07:48 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Northern Indiana
V
Vacagirl Offline
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Vacagirl  Offline
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V
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
Northern Indiana
They are not performing any test at Princess Juliana Airport unless you arrive with a fever. You MUST arrive with your own test results within 72 hours of arrival.

Re: New Test! [Re: Vacagirl] #233227
08/27/2020 07:54 PM
08/27/2020 07:54 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Originally Posted by Vacagirl
They are not performing any test at Princess Juliana Airport unless you arrive with a fever. You MUST arrive with your own test results within 72 hours of arrival.


When and how did you learn this? Last I saw they had tested over 700 people at the airport since they opened to US travelers on August 1.

Re: New Test! [Re: GaKaye] #233228
08/27/2020 07:58 PM
08/27/2020 07:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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ruralcarrier  Offline
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Posts: 17,476
Ohio
And many of those tests administered for lack of proper paperwork, improper tests or just because they can. I have not seen any mention of a fever associated with airport testing at all. I think the poster indicating they are not testing unless one arrives with a fever is mistaken.


J.D.
Re: New Test! [Re: Vacagirl] #233230
08/27/2020 08:11 PM
08/27/2020 08:11 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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Auburn, WA
Originally Posted by Vacagirl
They are not performing any test at Princess Juliana Airport unless you arrive with a fever. You MUST arrive with your own test results within 72 hours of arrival.

Like to see proof of that. They are checking if you have inproper or out of daye results. Fact check please?

Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233237
08/28/2020 06:24 AM
08/28/2020 06:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
Correct...testing is repeated on those with tests results (type) that do not meet their requirements.

Re: New Test! [Re: boucharda] #233239
08/28/2020 07:11 AM
08/28/2020 07:11 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
B
bizzottom Offline
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bizzottom  Offline
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B
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 467
this new test, if acceptable at sxm, would be a game changer for travelers to this island and would more than likely change tourists thinking of delaying/cancelling their visit, and be financially beneficial to business' on the island....just saying

Last edited by bizzottom; 08/28/2020 07:11 AM.
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233240
08/28/2020 07:48 AM
08/28/2020 07:48 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
Absolutely.....but a big IF

Re: New Test! [Re: Vacagirl] #233241
08/28/2020 08:43 AM
08/28/2020 08:43 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Vacagirl--sorry, incorrect. It is now listed on the 'official' SXM page, that those who arrive with the wrong test (which I guess includes one out of date) will be tested at the airport in SXM. It is very possible that if you have a fever that they will test you at Juliana, as that makes sense. But that is NOT the only situation in which people are tested there.


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Carol_Hill] #233245
08/28/2020 09:22 AM
08/28/2020 09:22 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
That seems to indicate that they will send you the approval to travel, even if the test you have isn't to their liking. That has been my biggest concern up until now, that our test wouldn't be approved by them, and we'd be at the airport and not permitted to fly.

Re: New Test! [Re: GaKaye] #233246
08/28/2020 09:27 AM
08/28/2020 09:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Yes, that is a BIG change. While the parameters aren't at all clear, it appears that if you don't take ANY test at all, they won't let you fly, but if you make a good faith attempt, you will still have to get tested and quarantined on SXM, but you will be able to go. The other question is how long it takes to get the results of the test back in SXM. One newspaper article said some people were waiting four DAYS, but I have seen very little posted about how long people are waiting.


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Carol_Hill] #233250
08/28/2020 09:40 AM
08/28/2020 09:40 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
I saw a couple of first hand posts that said they got their results in one or two days.

Re: New Test! [Re: GaKaye] #233251
08/28/2020 09:42 AM
08/28/2020 09:42 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
I know someone posted here they got theirs the next morning after they arrived.


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Carol_Hill] #233255
08/28/2020 10:01 AM
08/28/2020 10:01 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Originally Posted by Carol_Hill
I know someone posted here they got theirs the next morning after they arrived.

Carol, where on the official page did you see that they'll retest if your test is out of date? I'm still seeing the same requirements that out of date tests won't be accepted and that you won't get the approval to fly.

Re: New Test! [Re: Vacagirl] #233257
08/28/2020 10:15 AM
08/28/2020 10:15 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
candj Offline
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candj  Offline
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Posts: 2,106
Southport, North Carolina, US
I printed the travel requirements and it said:

A rt-PCR test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab only and performed within 72 hours 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 72 hours period will not be accepted.

It states 72 hours from Departure, not arrival; has something changed?


Fair winds and following seas!
SSN691-May She Ever Prowl The Seas in Defense of Human Freedom!
SSN787-Preserving Peace, Prepared for War
Re: New Test! [Re: candj] #233259
08/28/2020 10:34 AM
08/28/2020 10:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
"It states 72 hours from Departure, not arrival; has something changed?"
Been that way for a few weeks now.

Re: New Test! [Re: candj] #233260
08/28/2020 10:35 AM
08/28/2020 10:35 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
It's always been departure, if I recall correctly. 72 hours from arrival would be even more impossible!

Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233262
08/28/2020 10:49 AM
08/28/2020 10:49 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Posts: 18,566
Auburn, WA

Re: New Test! [Re: GaKaye] #233264
08/28/2020 11:06 AM
08/28/2020 11:06 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Sorry, it's on the Tourism Bureau page. Link

It says "Incorrect type of tests are subject to retesting on site at the airport (US $125). " Since there have been something like 700 people tested at the airport, it appears they are following what it says on the Tourism Bureau page, not what the "official" page says. It would be REALLY nice if they would make consistent statements and keep to them. I ASSUME, without knowing, that a test taken too early qualifies as an "incorrect type of test".


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Carol_Hill] #233265
08/28/2020 11:38 AM
08/28/2020 11:38 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
The official page is much more detailed, and one would assume it would list the official requirements. But as you say, they've tested hundreds of people at the airport, so who really knows? They really do need to get their act together before high season, or they'll have no season at all.

Re: New Test! [Re: GaKaye] #233267
08/28/2020 11:57 AM
08/28/2020 11:57 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
While I would not bet MY vacation on it, my feeling is that the information on the official page is what is required, in order to not have to get re-tested on SXM. The tourism webpage shows what you can 'get away with' in order to get on island, get re-tested, and quarantine until the test results come back. GaryB posted his story here regarding not having the exact right test, getting on island, then clearing quarantine. I think that is what happened with Lesley's client also. So that is apparently what is happening, in reality.

As I said, I wouldn't bet MY vacation on that..


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233269
08/28/2020 12:15 PM
08/28/2020 12:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
So let me see if I got this right.....to FLY you need a negative test report...any test... so go with the quick one IF you are reasonably sure you wan't get your results before you fly your last leg (no hope for my Sunday trip). SXM will not like the quick test and will retest you. IF you only do the RT-PCR and don't get the results back you may not be able to fly to SXM....not worth the risk so just suck it up and assume you will be tested again in SXM.

Correct?

All bets are off if SXM decides to accept the quick test and life will be MUCH easier

Re: New Test! [Re: boucharda] #233275
08/28/2020 12:52 PM
08/28/2020 12:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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GaKaye  Offline
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That's the way I see it.

Re: New Test! [Re: boucharda] #233276
08/28/2020 01:40 PM
08/28/2020 01:40 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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boucharda--Perhaps. Unless they change the rules again. It's not worth it to me, to take that risk, but others may feel differently.


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233278
08/28/2020 02:33 PM
08/28/2020 02:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
I was in your ballpark but what is the risk if you just assume you will pay for another test on arrival? Especially if the five buck tests are rolled out

Re: New Test! [Re: boucharda] #233282
08/28/2020 02:46 PM
08/28/2020 02:46 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,478
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I honestly have no idea what type of tests they will accept to just get you on the plane. The risks that I can think of offhand are that (1) they will change the rules AGAIN and if you don't have a test falling exactly within their parameters, you will not be able to fly; (2) once you are quarantined upon arrival, there were reports in the Daily Herald of people waiting FOUR DAYS for the results of their test taken on island. Can't imagine spending 4 days of my vacation in quarantine (3) of course, the risk of a positive test (OR a false positive test) while on island.


Carol Hill
Re: New Test! [Re: Maria_and_Steve] #233287
08/28/2020 05:07 PM
08/28/2020 05:07 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
boucharda Offline
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boucharda  Offline
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Posts: 5,082
Massachusetts
BTW....I checked Delta and I could find no requirement for testing before travel

AA says negative test taken 72 hours before departure (SXM requirements not AA)

Last edited by boucharda; 08/28/2020 05:11 PM.

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