Antigen or PCR test

It looks like both are acceptable to take for return to the states? What is the difference and which one is the easiest to take? Thanks Buddy

The least expensive test is the Antigen test and results get back to you usually within 4-5 hours vs the PCR test that takes longer to get results and costs more here on St Maarten to get.

Exactly, what benni said--antigen is cheaper and you get results back faster.

The CDC guidelines do allow for either, and I agree with what badbenni posted. The only question is whether or not your home state has a more restrictive requirement.

The antigen test characteristically is not as much of a deep dive into your nose. You should choose the antigen test if you have had the actual disease within the past three months as a PCR test may remain positive for that period of time.

A new skin test for COVID 19 has been developed. It is less invasive and hopefully will be accepted. I ain’t going for a anal swab and the nasal swab has been known to break the membrane in your nose if not correctly applied.

There are different types of nasal swab tests. I've had two nasal rt-PCR tests in the past few months, for different reasons. Both used Anterior Nasal swabs, which went around 0.5"-1" up my nose. If you need a nasal test done, ask how they perform the test. If you don't like their answer then try a different testing site.



Expanding on what I said earlier about states possibly having more restrictive requirements than CDC, it turns out that my state of Massachusetts is one of those states. If you're a resident and relying on a test to satisfy the requirements for returning home to MA, than it must be a rt-PCR test (if anyone actually checks). Antigen tests don't satisfy the requirement. MA does at least accept being "fully vaccinated" (2nd vax+2 weeks for Pfizer and Moderna, vax+2 weeks for J+J) as an alternative to testing. I'm looking forward to the day when the pendulum swings the other way, when being fully vaccinated is the basic requirement, and rt-PCR becomes an alternative.

I need to decide whether or not to laminate my CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Record Card. It's on stiff paper/thin cardboard. I expect that I'm going to need it for awhile, and lamination will prevent the bend/fold/mutilate problem.

If this so called vaccine is the only way we can travel it is a must. It really is not a vaccine at all being a mRNA but a Gene therapy never tested long term on humans.

Perhaps you should look at the J+J vaccine then. It is NOT an mRNA vaccine.

"swab has been known to break the membrane in your nose if not correctly applied."
And where is your source for this tidbit?

We did our own swabs at the drive through testing site...no membrane breaking experienced. Just a desire to sneeze....

Where does this information come from?

Leaving SXM I don't think cost is a problem. We had PCR and paid $70. I think I heard testing at Simpson Bay Resort was antigen and $70. Only worry (besides testing positive) is where and when. We went for less than 72 hours and sure enough our flight was delayed one hour.

Prior to going we tested PCR at a local site in our state free of charge.

There was quite a crowd waiting to be tested at Simpson Bay Resort last night about 5:45pm, maybe 50 or so.

Rosemary--the rule going home to the US is DAYS, not hours.