TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin At home FDA approved Rt PCR test

We are planning on visiting in early March. We live in Wisconsin. Having problems finding a facility to perform the Covid test without symptoms. Primary care doc doesn't perform Covid tests. Found an at home test called Pixel by LabCorp. It's an at home nasal swab, FDA approved Rt PCR test that you mail in the results via FedEx and have results in 1-2 days. It doesn't detect antibodies or show immunity. Does anyone know if this would be accepted for entry? Or does anyone who lives in Wisconsin have any ideas as to where we can go to have a Covid test Performed?

I believe the EHAS website does not allow home kits. Passport Health has been mentioned here, I used Clear Wellness out of Chicago for a recent trip to get my Covid test, it is a pain clinic that also is allowing non-symptom covid testing. Medicare was free, it was $175 for me as I was out of network. We had our test on a Tuesday and had results Friday afternoon. Clear Wellness right on Michigan Avenue, but I see that Passport Health has an office in Milwaukee, no idea what they charge. I have some questions into Jango Bio, who are doing free testing right now at their office in Fitchburg (2997 Yarmouth Greenway) to see if their test qualifies for the Rt PCR testing requirements.

Not sure where in Wisconsin you are from, but hopefully some options for you to explore more.

We have heard, and I posted here, that people are using the home kits.
They have posted that there was no problem.

I know by saying what I read, isn't a guarantee .

I guess it depends on whether the person checking the documentation goes by the rules that are in place or not. I would not risk it....

From the SXM Travel Requirements:

Jenni, I am in Milwaukee and have contacted the Passport Health in Milw. Their covid test is $205 w/o insurance, $105 with. Last time I checked they did not have the rt-PCR but told me to check back. I am calling them later today because we are traveling in Dec. and need a site lined up. CVS pharmacies at backed up due to rise in cases. I'll post after my call.

I have read elsewhere of these tests and supposedly they were accepted. It is not a source I would have 100% confidence in and therefore would go with what is currently advised by the SXM government.

I am also scheduled to visit in mid-March and will wait and see what the requirements are then. Way too early to make a decision this far out with regard to testing and what may or may not be acceptable.

I agree with JD. I would be very wary of getting a test which is SPECIFICALLY not acceptable, according to the SXM online site. I would try harder to find an acceptable test. But, as JD said, a lot can change between now and March.

Regardless of what the SXM website says, I know that SXM has been accepting home tests by Everlywell.. (That's a link.) These are nasal-swab tests, and results are available within 24-48 hours. The test is mailed to you. As I understand it, the test comes with a colored brochure on how to administer the test; there's also a video on their website. The test comes with a label for return. You are to return your test the same day it's taken via Fedex. This lab also provides a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company.

If you are on Facebook, join the Simply SXM group and read posts by its administrator, Karen Chene O'Day, about her experience with the test.

If it were ME, no way in H*LL I would voluntarily do a test, which according to the written rules is NOT acceptable. Just because several people have done it, could just mean that people weren't paying attention when they looked at the results.

Exactly.....It would be just my luck to get the agent that actually looks at the type of test

With that said it IS accepted in some destinations requiring a negative test....(Aruba and USVI for example)

Edit (again)....what ever happened to the October government statement that they were going to look at changing the types of tests required and mandate their own insurance? I thought there was a one week limit for a decision,,,,

Thanks for all of your replies. I went on Passport Health Wisconsin's website and unfortunately they are temporarily closed. I have been frantically searching all possibilities all day so far because it appears all other options in our area (Waukesha, WI) don't have any appointments in the area or surrounding areas at all available (CVS, Walmart, Walgreens). It also appears that a number of these locations are drive-thru where they hand you the swab and you perform the test yourself and hand it back to them where they send it to a lab. So would that not be accepted either? And if it is, what's the difference if you perform the test at home and send it in or do it yourself at a drive-thru? Unless restrictions change, we may have to find another place to go. I've had my plane and hotel reservations planned since June. We were there in March, just as everything was shutting down. Do any of you know what islands do accept mail in Rt PCR test? I know a lot can change before now and March, but I don't want to wait too long to make other plans. Not to mention, every day they are reporting new records highs of cases here. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!!!

Aruba...but 3 days prior to departure which is a beeeeach....or testing on arrival for $75 assuming you can get on the aircraft

USVI,,,5 days prior

Thank you...it may just have to be USVI or Aruba. Sorry, I didn't know before I posted that they wouldn't accept mail in results. I definitely wouldn't want to chance it if they didn't accept it ahead of time.

I would agree with JD, there will likely be more changes to the testing requirements by March. Clear Wellness in Chicago had many appointment times available and let me book ahead by a month. Keep that one as a possibility, and maybe Passport Health will have more options as the date draws closer, testing equipment may be limited to non-essential (not symptomatic) sites. But as more people get the vaccines, the numbers of people with this will drop. The difference between where you administer the test yourself vs. going to a clinic may be how deep the swab goes. I have had both tests, and the clinic test was much deeper in the nasal passage.

You have a couple of months to get it done, I would not stress about it now. Different types of tests are being created -- who knows, those may be accepted in 2021.

Correct....March is "years" away from December/January. Much more potential then

We are supposed to leave on March 4th, last leg of trip through CLT at 9:35 AM. Am I correct in counting, at least as it stands right now, that I should have the test performed on Saturday, February 27th? Does anyone know of the places you've mentioned are open on a Saturday?

Before you get too upset and in a panic mode, I would give it some time. A LOT can change and if travel is restricted or cancelled, you should have recourse for a refund. A lot gets thrown out on different social media sites, some is accurate and some is not. By the time March comes, home tests may be accepted but personally, I would go with what is required at the time of travel and stated on the SXM government site. There may be some others tests getting through but there is always a chance that NOT having the required and proper test could result is some major travel issues.

Good luck. Relax and see how the thing play out over the next few months. Things can also change for the USVI, Aruba or any other destination.

https://thecovidconsultants.com/

I know a lot of people travelling to St Barths have been using this agency to get the home covid test for travelling.

stmaartenehas.com

That is where you go to look at the requirements for travel. They used to make you do this all in 3 days, and now it is 72 hours, which helps a lot with the testing requirements. You have to get the required test, then wait for the results. Once you get the results, you go to the portal on the stmaartenehas.com website, enter in all your travel information, download your test results, and wait for their approval. How I found the Clear Wellness in Chicago is they said results come back within 3 days, that was key for us. That gave us time to get our information into the portal, and we were both approved within 7 hours.

We had to show paperwork for the pre-approval in Chicago, Miami, and again in SXM. There were people in line in Miami that did not have the approval, they were not allowed to travel on to SXM.

Thanks to all of you!!! I will give it more time to see what changes come about. Hopefully, all positive.

Rterrones...I would greatly appreciate hearing what you find out and how it all turns out for you.

clearwellnessgroup.com lists weekday appointments you can do online -- for weekends, it says to call. It also is listing a Schaumburg, IL site now too.

Artile talking about this test.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/me...med-fully-at-home/ar-BB1b8GCB?li=BBnb7Kz

But, this is a St. Maarten discussion.

I know. Was just providing info about the test being discussed.

THANK YOU for posting that test information Linda. You may have just saved our Thanksgiving!! I am high risk and will not allow anyone to come into our home for the meal (M.I.L...lol) unless she is tested!!

Beachkitten--well, that is a whole different use of the test than I thought, but definitely useful for that purpose.

** Travel entry requirements updated to allow rapid antigen tests **

The Ministers of TEATT Ludmila de Weever and VSA Richard Panneflek have updated the entry requirements to include antigen testing with effective date of November 25th. Travelers to St. Maarten are required to complete a mandatory health authorization application via the Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) available on www.stmaartenentry.com and upload their negative RT-PCR test within 5 days or their negative antigen test result within 48 hours. Currently, the following antigen tests have been approved: Abbott (CGIA Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid test), Becton Dickinson (CGIA BD Veritor COVID-19 test) and Roche (SD Biosensor F test). The list of acceptable tests is constantly being reviewed as government continues to seek the most accurate alternatives to the PCR test.

“I’m happy with the addition of another test as this will assist in easing travel to St. Maarten since these specific antigen tests are readily available in our main tourist markets. In fact, one of our major airlines, Air France, is already using this test for travel between Paris and Guadeloupe, within the 48-hour window. Our island’s economy needs to return to pre-pandemic levels as safely and quickly as possible and this decision allows us to make the necessary adjustments to help improve load factors, thereby increasing the number of visitors and with it economic activity,” said Minister of TEATT Ludmila de Weever.

The Minister of Public Health, Richard Panneflek, stated, “I am diligently working at the possibility of using antigen tests for the local population. This will allow us to further synchronize the protocols that CPS and ARS have been working on. Due to the improved accuracy of antigen tests, the realization of mass testing will be possible for St. Maarten in the near future, allowing for a more realistic depiction of our COVID-19 situation. However, PCR test will remain St. Maarten’s gold standard testing method.”

And again, the rapid tests approved are not the same as a home test, so home tests are not approved, as of now.

I am from Florida. I looked up recently where we can get a test down here, and found that a lot of the Walgreen's Drug stores are doing them with an appointment, and results back in a couple of days. Best bet would be to put in RT PCR into your browser, and ask where available near me. It's a start anyway.

Jenni, I was the one who commented about Passport Health in Waukesha. Found out Waukesha clinics were closed when I called to make an appointment. We are getting tested at the Passport Health office in Lake Bluff, Ill. Only 1 hour south of Milw and they were very helpful. We are traveling 12/05 so are getting tested 11/30 in the afternoon which gives us 115 hours. Some of the cost is covered by Ins. All the local testing sites were not encouraging and we wanted to lock in a facility for the test. Good luck.

Again, just so we're clear, the most recent posts have to do with tests done at LABS, not a home test.

Thanks for the update!!! I'm hoping restrictions will change by the time March rolls around. But it's nice to know that there are some other options available. I hope everything goes well for you and you have a wonderful time.

I still don't understand the 120 hour requirement. So if my last leg to St. Maarten is at 10:30 am on a Thursday when should I schedule my test?

No earlier that 10:30AM Saturday

Thank you