TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Help! RT-PCR vs. PCR

did anyone get approval for entry and submit a regular PCR test? Does the lab report state the test is RT-PCR? I've called a few places and they said the Rt-PCR is also known as PCR, very confused.. ugh

Awaiting approval currently, but any PCR test used for diagnostic purposes is an rt-PCR test.

thank you for the response. I am hearing so many conflicting things, I called EHAS and the guy I spoke with said RT-pcr is different than PCR, which completely confused me. Please let me know when you receive your approval. THANK YOU

If they give you a tough time, I'd ask them to explain the difference between rt-PCR and PCR. Should make for a good laugh.
The real test is an rt-qPCR test, but I doubt anyone actually has "q" printed on their tests.

see the follow-up email exchange I had with the EHAS office, after my confusing phone call. The person responding said the "method of application" is different? No idea what that means?

-------------------
Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 12:53 PM
To: EHAS <EHAS@sintmaartengov.org>
Subject: Question on testing

According to the labs I have called, the rt-pcr and pcr are same test? Specifically, Diagnostic tests are broken down into two types: molecular tests, which identify the virus's genetic material, and antigen tests, which detect certain proteins on the surface of the virus. Among molecular tests, the most common is the RT-PCR test, or more simply PCR test.
------------------

From: EHAS <EHAS@sintmaartengov.org>
Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 at 1:31 PM

Subject: RE: Question on testing

Good afternoon,

Only the rt-PCR test is accepted for entry. The difference Is the method of application.

Regards,

I am getting the same confusing information regarding the rapid tests. I found a place who says they do the BD Veritor--they couldn't say if it was Beckton Dickinson--but I am assuming that is what BD stands for. I absolutely could be wrong on that. I emailed them to ask what specific info the needed to have on the results as I didn't think this test goes through a lab--again could be wrong on that. They emailed me back that I must provide proof of a negative test!!

I responded that I was absolutely aware of that but what specific info did they need--was anything at all they sent me back ok to use when I fill out the form requesting entry. The info they want for the rt-PCR test is very specific, but not so much for the rapid antigen tests.

I guess I will just have to wait and see how they e-mail me back.

That would be the Becton Dickinson test. Good luck.

BD Veritor

From the EHAS site:

5.Alternatively, travelers originating from a country that is categorized as high or moderate risk can do an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten. Only the following antigen tests are approved: the Becton Dickinson (BD) Veritor Plus, the Abbott Panbio, the Abott BinaxNow and the Roche/SD Biosensor F antigen tests. Tests performed outside of the 48 hours period or other brand and type of antigen tests will not be accepted.

We couldn’t find anywhere near us to get the rt-PCR test. We got and submitted our PCR test results and were approved quickly. No issues when we arrived last week. YMMV.