TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Tourism minister says August 1 is a hard date

Link

Hopefully she was quoted correctly in this article, as they keep saying nothing is a hard date. Anyone have a link to the original program?

I didn't see any reference that this date is set in stone in above linked article.

“Everybody got a bit nervous when they heard we were reopening to the U.S.,” she added. However, Aug. 1 is now a hard deadline. “August 1 is in the books now. What you don’t want to do is keep pushing dates with airlines. You have to give them a date and stick to it.”

Thanks I missed that but I see it know. I still look for it to change as it gets closer to August 1 the was its going.

Hoping for the best to come.

Lesley--best wishes to you all. Hard to know what the right answer is.

Same old stuff on TTOL everyday. I’ll be back in January when hopefully there is something interesting to talk about.

Has anybody actually done the rapid pcr test they require for travel yet. Just curious how hard it is to get without symptoms?

I wonder what the changes will be? If the require the insurance and it is close to what the cost is in Aruba, I think that insurance is very expensive.

Wonder how the "quota" will work out.

Not sure on the quota situation but I am really concerned about this insurance requirement. I was reading about the entrance protocols in Aruba, which requires the insurance. The insurance there costs $15 PP per DAY and basically covers only the cost of Covid 19 treatment in Aruba, and costs of quarantine. I thought it was supposed to cover air evac back home but it apparently does NOT, as the transportation portion is limited to $350. I guess that's supposed to cover an ambulance on island. And apparently, Aruba's test has to be TAKEN and the RESULTS back in 72 hours. If they change the SXM testing requirements to that, a lot of people will not be able to go. Here is a link to their rules

Link

I agree Carol, if St Maarten follows what Aruba is doing I will not be able to go until everything is back to normal. Just to expensive and wondering if you will actually be able to enjoy your vacation while there.

In addition, apparently Aruba has an 11 PM curfew..

Curfew wouldn't phase me in St Maarten. I can't remember the last time I wasn't back at the resort prior to 10pm.

It probably wouldn't affect me that much, but there are still times when we are out late. I don't know that SXM is considering that at all, just surprised when I read that about Aruba.

This is becoming a real sh*t show.

It's been a real sh*t show for 4 months already. Where ya been?

Been here all along. Just seems to be getting worse with island figuring what to do.

Aruba has the option of testing on arrival and has a reasonably low positive rate

boucharda--The option for testing upon arrival in Aruba is ONLY for those not from high risk states, like Florida.

If this goes ahead all previous precautions have been for naught. The USA is in the midst of a catastrophe unprecedented in our lifetimes. No Americans should be allowed into SXM at this time and probably for the next year. And right in the middle of hurricane season no less. Absolute madness.

Well tell us how you really feel.

If SXM actually does open its borders to the USA at this time, we shall see how long it takes before the PM shuts it down again. It’s only foolishness to think that the island opening it’s borders to the Americans at this point won’t turn into a Covid Spike. The question isn’t will it happen, the question is will the island be ready when it happens?