TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Can we make it with testing protocols?? Help!

For those that have traveled to SXM with testing protocol.
We plan to travel to SXM mid November. We will make every effort to have our negative covid test in hand. However, in our small town test results are not alway quick to get back. The Health Unit here will only say "We expect the results within 5 business days".
Can we fill in the EHAS form without having our test results back? Will we be approved subject to the test? We don't have a problem with paying the fee and being tested on arrival in SXM. Its a little complicated as it's a two day trip for us from Northern Canada. Just trying to determine if there is a way to make it work.
Here's our plan.
Flight to SXM - Thursday morning out of Toronto
Take the Covid test Monday morning, 4 days prior to flight
Fill in EHAS application form Wednesday. Not likely to have results yet
Travel to Toronto Wednesday, one day prior to flight to SXM
Will monitor email right up until flight time for test results, but if we don't have them, will we be able to fly to SXM and test at the airport?
I know things can change weekly but just trying to determine if we should make the attempt.
Appreciate any input based on your experience.
The other issue is, we are not sure what protocols Westjet may have with regards to boarding an SXM flight without the test results in hand. (Westjet isn't scheduled to fly to SXM until November 5th)

Nope, they won't let you on the plane without test results and permission from the gov't.

Thanks Elaine. I guess my next question would be, if we can't get on the plane without the proper negative test, why would there be close to 1000 passengers tested at the airport?? We have seen a few comments regarding wrong tests and no tests, but being tested on arrival. Just trying to figure out what the true rules are.

They could have been scanned for temperature or had wrong test results or other reasons to be tested. Some might have been allowed to fly without proper tests due to not being screened properly at airport.

Why don’t you contact the airline and find out what their policy/ requirements are for the SXM flight?

I would guess that most of the 1000 had a negative test but the wrong one. I don't think the airlines care which test was done

I would start by looking here: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS.

Things can change much more often than weekly, I would monitor it on a daily basis.

I would also check with your airline like others have stated.

My personal opinion of all the testing done at the airport is some of it is $$$, along with either the wrong test, no test or workers not understanding what may or may not be required.

Exactly

American Airlines would not let me proceed to the gate without reviewing my negative test results and the pre-approved EHAS application. I don't think you can submit the EHAS application without attaching a negative test report.

Correct Bob

I apologize if this has already been answered, but can all of this documentation be provided on my phone, or do I need to print anything out? With the time crunch, it would be helpful if digital copies work in case a result or approval comes later than expected.

I would go to the website link I provided a few posts back and check there. There is an application process and the uploading of the test result is just part of it.

From the site: 6. The original result of this test must be uploaded as soon as possible as part of the health authorization application procedure in order to be processed. Processing takes 6-8 hours. The test result should clearly specify the name of the laboratory, test subject name, test date, type of test administered and how the test sample was obtained. Typed, written or e-mail statements from doctors or non-laboratories will not be accepted.

It sounds like email is the expected way most people will receive their results and approval. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see anything that says they have to be printed, but I also don't see any explicit confirmation electronic copies will work either. We'll definitely print if we have time. We're also not traveling until December, so hopefully there can be some confirmation that showing electronic copies will be OK at the airport.

dvesc--If at ALL possible, you should take with you paper copies of your approval and negative test result.

A LOT can and will likely change between now and December. Good luck.

I am going a state away to get my PCR test, and scheduled for 3 days before we leave. I was told to expect 2-3 days to get the test result. Hoping for the best. Looking forward to a time where we can get tested at airports, when that happens.

Since you now only need 5 days in advance of final flight I would do it then and have more time to get results. 2-3 days could easily go to 4. Why risk it.

Thanks for all of the input. I'll call the airline and will see if they have any protocols in place yet. Not sure they will be up to speed yet since they aren't scheduled to start flights until the first week in November. I will also email the Ministry of Health in SXM and ask the same questions.