TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin rt-PCR test change--AGAIN--now back to 120 hours

Scuba gave the link for the update page

Ok, but how many pages/links should one have to go for get ACCURATE information? Common sense would indicate updates should be on the same site/page where one fills out the application. Oh wait, we are dealing with government here, that explains it!

Exactly.....

I put the link to Government site which has updates with links.

Ok, but that is NOT the site travelers are directed to for application to enter the country and buy the insurance. And again, WAY TOO MANY hoops to jump through and inconsistency with the sites and information contained therein. The government site is not the same as the EHAS (although they are likely related).

There are no update links on the EHAS site, which is where every traveler goes to fill out their application to enter the country. That is where the information needs to be accurate and current.

Looks like it's back to 72 hours.
Link

that's dated January 26...

I know. But that is official site. There is still a link stating 120 for US and Canadian residents but everything contradicts its self.

Correct, which is exactly why SXM needs to get their act together, so potential visitors can actually plan a trip.

I believe several of us tried to tell you that there was conflicting information, lack of timely and accurate updates, and it has been basically a $hitshow with regard to the EHAS site conflicting with other government sites. People read something on one "official" site, then something else on another.

I actually emailed EHAS and got a very pleasant email tell me it’s 72 hours

And I emailed them yesterday and have received no response.

The tourism page still has the exemption for US and Canada, allowing 120 days. The EHAS page still does not have that information.

I just emailed them as well. I’ll post if I get answer.

That is what is so confusing.

I just received an email from EHAS and was told it is 72 hours for a RT-PCR test.

Did you tell them you are from the US? If so, how ridiculous. Is the Tourism website perhaps wrong and they DIDN'T change back to 120 hours after all?????????

Unbelievable!

Anything goes with that Government.

If you look at the question and answer for test on the Government FAC page here is what the answer is.
"The rt-PCR test sample should be taken within 120 hours and the antigen test sample within 48 hours prior to departure to St. Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights)."
Unbelievable the confusion this causes.
And no mention if US or Canadian.

Jeff Berger still says its 120 for US and Canadian visitors. Who the heck knows at this point.

We'll find out soon enough. My flight to SXM departs at 10:30 EST on Saturday. I just got home from a rt-PCR test site (tested about 117 hours in advance of scheduled departure). I plan to upload that result to EHAS, when I get it.

I'll share what happens in a new thread.

Bill--If you are aware of where you can get an antigen test that qualifies, I might be looking into that, to try to be safe. This is just not RIGHT, what they are doing..

Bill- I am also traveling on Saturday. The American Airlines website still says 72 hours. I don't want to show up at the airport only to have them deny boarding. I'm changing my plans to be tested on Wednesday morning.

Scott

Good call. If AA says 72 hour I'd go with that as they are the ones that decide if you board the plane.

I just called the EHAS office (1-721-542-1570)and was told it is 72 hours after 2-12-21. They confirmed that I was from US and my flight reservation for 2-20-21.

Southbound--I guess it is still 72 hours then??? Wow...

I received a followup email from EHAS apologizing and confirmed it is 120 hours for the RT-PCR test for US travelers.

Thanks for the follow-up. I am going to close this one as there is a similar thread going and this one has gotten rather long.