Woman removed from first KLM flight for 'invalid" Covid 19 test

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/welcome-shower

Would be very interested to hear the 'back story' regarding the supposedly 'invalid' Covid 19 test..

Yes, and whether she was allowed to stay on island or not since she was again removed from the plane. Also if she was allowed to stay if she had to do a 14 day quarantine too.

Hopefully there will be some additional information released as to why the test was deemed invalid. This is the ultimate nightmare, to supposedly have done what is required, and then be denied entry.

I changed the title of this thread, as the supposedly 'invalid' test is a much bigger story..

Thanks. I agree.

Has anyone heard any more about this? Whenever SXM does finally open up to US visitors, it would be nice to know that you are not going to be turned away because of some issue with the test. I understand that Aruba is differentiating between what is required for different states, which I think is going to be a nightmare, as far as enforcement. They are supposed to open to US citizens tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

I sent a message asking about test requirements to the contact email on the government page , but they've not responded. The word "certified" is used, and I wanted an explanation of that.

A US citizen posted in a Facebook group that she was denied entry because her test was considered invalid, since it said "no evidence" rather than "negative". She also said that they told her the test had to have a raised seal. She had arrived on a charter flight, and frankly, I think the problem was that she arrived from the US and not the test. Unfortunately, there's no further information from her, as she left the group after a few people in the group were pretty nasty to her.

I agree that there needs to be much more clarification.

Any US citizen is not legally able to travel to SXM right now, so it doesn't matter what type of test she had.

The lady involved in this story was on KLM from the Netherlands. As far as 'certified', that is a good question, but it is my understanding that many or most test results aren't even in writing, other than an email, etc.

And there is the problem.

In June I was tested and requested a paper copy and there was no seal on it.

Aug 5 hubby has to have a covid- test prior to cataract surgery. I'll note if there is any "seal" on it and report.

I would be surprised if anyone is getting results with a raised seal on them. There is an Air France due in at 2:15 today (delayed to that time). Although I'm not certain, I think this will only be the second plane in since they reopened to Europe. Hopefully more information will be available from the government soon, as to what format the test results are supposed to be in.

We had a KLM flight come in a few days ago too.

That's the one referred to.

Right. I got my covid results via my doctor's app - i could download it to my phone, but there's no "seal" to speak of. I don't even know that I could get a paper copy of my results.

Can you print off your app or phone. Maybe call doctor to get something more official looking.

My test said no evidence also. Someone from DR saw it and pointed out to me it didnt say negative. Its how no evidence is interpreted.
No seal on it either and it was from the Fire Dept.

I don't know if this story from the DH is really true or not, as there hasn't been anything posted about it after this, and one would think there would be.

As far as the 'no evidence of Covid 19' situation, from my understanding, that was claimed by the OTHER person who posted themselves on several sites. They claimed they weren't allowed in because of the test. THAT person supposedly was a US citizen, who attempted to enter SXM BEFORE it is legally able to do so, on a charter from the US. The conditions on the FAQ site for the government say that private flight charters are ONLY allowed to come in for people who are connecting directly to their yachts, which that person was not.

It would be really helpful if the SXM government would be more clear as to what the requirements are for the test.

Perhaps the wording of 'no evidence of covid-19' is because you could be infected and still test negative. Maybe the meaning of 'certified' is to take the guidelines to a stricter level.

The results are useless if you cant get the results within 3 days [72 hours] of arriving.

...and get the results in a form that is acceptable to the country you are travelling to...