TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin August 1st fast approaching.

What are the odds they still accept U.S. flights and citizens without any new restrictions? I keep seeing threads about insurance, but I haven't seen an actual requirement in writing from the government yet.

zeus--Anyone who would take odds on that question--either way--has a lot of disposable funds. No idea. My explanation is that the SXM government officials cannot agree on what they want, so they keep changing things.

As far as insurance, the Tourism Minister is on record as wanting insurance, but so FAR I guess she either hasn't been able to work out the details or there is not agreement to require it.

Again referring to Aruba as an example. They require Aruba Visitor Insurance to be bought for all visitors . Personal COVID insurance is not accepted as a replacement. (around $90 =/- week).

Just used as an example of somewhere that came up with clear guidelines and stuck to them.

Problem is that $90 a week does not work for long term visitors like foreign property owners who what to stay in their second homes.
It needs to have a maximum cost if SXM wants to try something like it. And I hope they don't.

It's actually $105 a week ($15 a day), but I certainly see your point.

My guess is that they do open on 8/1 with the restrictions already outlined. I think that some of the US that are having spikes will not be able to meet the guidelines and therefore will not be able to travel. Here in CT, we are in good shape where access to testing is available and can meet the 72hr result mandate. Who knows. In any event, they could change the restrictions at any moment which makes it difficult to plan.

I have two weeks from August 8 thru 22nd. COVID test no problem. Insurance for us at $105 each per week is pushing it a little. If I can’t know I’m good before I get on a flight why take the chance.

Aruba has found a real money making scam with this insurance requirement if you ask me.
According to the Daily Herald story today they have had 7,000 tourist with only 5 Covid positive and none hospitlazed.
That is $105 times 7,000 equals $735,000 per week in fees with no costs.
What a rip off.
Sint Maarten already cost far too much to travel to.
I'm not opposed to reasonable testing and safety but profitiering during a pandemic is sinful.

I agree the Aruba insurance is a money making enterprise....

Cost does decrease the longer you stay

Dr Soc had The Honorable Ludmila de Weever, the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication on his show today speaking about the August 1st date and about travelling to the island. Click this link to listen.

The only other thing I got from that is that HOPEFULLY there will not be an issue with travel between the French and Dutch sides when US travelers are allowed to return, although I don't think the prohibition on travel to the EU will be lifted by August 1, so I'm not getting a warm fuzzy about that yet.

I was surprised to hear they had 2 French Frontier police and with health officials working the days Air France flights came so they could review passengers headed to the french side. I don't know what benefit that brings when there are no controls at the actual border.

Yes that was interesting.