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Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian #247737
02/17/2021 08:00 AM
02/17/2021 08:00 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline OP
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This was posted as a public post on the Government Facebook page, so I feel comfortable copying and pasting it here is not a copyright violation.

Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian passengers **
After consultation and approval of Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richard Panneflek, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications, Ludmila de Weever, is very happy to announce a move that will surely assist in increasing our tourist numbers and airline load factors. As of February 17, 2021, passengers arriving from the United States of America and Canada can use all FDA approved rapid antigen tests for travel to Sint Maarten. This includes those antigen tests with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) as well. This does not include At Home Tests.
"This is a huge boost to our tourism sector and that confidence in our island is demonstrated even more when we see expansion of our airline service routes, such as the announcement by American Airlines for the service between Dallas-Fort Worth and Sint Maarten to commence in June 2021. This demonstrates that demand for travel to Latin America and the Caribbean is still high despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic," stated Minister De Weever. The non-stop flight will run on Saturdays from June 5 until August 14, 2021.
Since 2019, representatives of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) and SXM Airport started the discussion about the possible seasonal route and the Ministry is thrilled to see it come to fruition.
"With this change in entry requirements, we expect to see increased stay-over arrivals and economic activity as well as the continuation of improved relationship with one of our larger carriers and I am grateful for the cooperation received from Minister Panneflek and his team." the Minister concluded.


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Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247738
02/17/2021 08:21 AM
02/17/2021 08:21 AM
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Posts: 298
Upstate, NY
Mikel Offline
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It is also on the front page of the Daily Herald today, but not yet in the on-line version.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247739
02/17/2021 08:22 AM
02/17/2021 08:22 AM
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Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Leagle49 Offline
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I wonder how long it will be before the EHAS site changes it's requirements?

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247740
02/17/2021 08:24 AM
02/17/2021 08:24 AM
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PelicanPirate Offline
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Most practical thing they could do while still requiring a test.

Next step would be to determine if requiring a test is actually resulting in anyone not making the trip. Perhaps having people confirm by text they still plan to travel 7 days out and then perform statistics on no show rates.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247754
02/17/2021 11:59 AM
02/17/2021 11:59 AM
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Auburn, WA
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Here is the article.
LINK

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247755
02/17/2021 12:01 PM
02/17/2021 12:01 PM
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No mention if it has to be 120 hrs or 48 hrs prior to last leg.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: SXMScubaman] #247756
02/17/2021 12:01 PM
02/17/2021 12:01 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Good news, as even with the 120 hour rule, PCR tests are often difficult to obtain.


Carol Hill
Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: SXMScubaman] #247770
02/17/2021 01:47 PM
02/17/2021 01:47 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
No mention if it has to be 120 hrs or 48 hrs prior to last leg.


The rapid test has always been 48 hours; this announcement only changed the brands of test that SXM will accept.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247771
02/17/2021 02:24 PM
02/17/2021 02:24 PM
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Auburn, WA
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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Originally Posted by GaKaye
Originally Posted by SXMScubaman
No mention if it has to be 120 hrs or 48 hrs prior to last leg.


The rapid test has always been 48 hours; this announcement only changed the brands of test that SXM will accept.

That's what I figured but was just throwing it out there.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247779
02/17/2021 03:17 PM
02/17/2021 03:17 PM
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The EHAS website has been updated:


“Alternatively, travelers originating from the USA and Canada can do an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten. All FDA approved antigen tests including those with Emergency Use Authorization only (EUA) are accepted. Tests performed outside of the 48 hours period and home tests will not be accepted.“

Last edited by Bahston; 02/17/2021 03:17 PM.
Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: Bahston] #247780
02/17/2021 03:53 PM
02/17/2021 03:53 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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Wow!! Pretty fast, for them!!


Carol Hill
Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: Carol_Hill] #247781
02/17/2021 03:56 PM
02/17/2021 03:56 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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Seems they learned from the last fiasco!

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: Carol_Hill] #247787
02/17/2021 04:34 PM
02/17/2021 04:34 PM
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Auburn, WA
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Maybe the announcement was late and after they changed the site. laugh

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247789
02/17/2021 04:44 PM
02/17/2021 04:44 PM
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RonDon Online content
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So today I just booked an appointment for testing PCR test with a window within 120 hours. Does this now mean I have to test pithing 48 hours using a rapid test?

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: RonDon] #247790
02/17/2021 04:54 PM
02/17/2021 04:54 PM
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Carol_Hill Offline
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"test pithing" ?? No idea what that means. Regardless, if you have a PCR test, and you get your results in time, you don't need a rapid test.


Carol Hill
Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: RonDon] #247792
02/17/2021 05:35 PM
02/17/2021 05:35 PM
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GaKaye Offline OP
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Ro, you have the option of either the 120 hour PCR test or the 48 hour rapid test.

Re: Minister Ludmila de Weever announces use of all FDA approved antigen rapid tests for USA & Canadian [Re: GaKaye] #247793
02/17/2021 06:01 PM
02/17/2021 06:01 PM
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Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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Thanks everyone.


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