TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Once you get the vaccine.

Has anyone talked about changing the entry restrictions for those who have been vaccinated. Not that big of a deal, but thought it might change things.

The only country that I have heard that is doing that right now is Belize.

We are finally eligible to get the vaccine this week so was hoping it might help. Oh well, not that difficult to get the test now anyway.

Thanks,

Costa Rica has eliminated their testing requirement for entry

If you check out cnn.com they have a list of the countries open to U.S. tourists, but I'm not sure how often they are updating this. But, this morning it was updated through 3/13/21 so that's pretty good! Some countries and destinations are more complicated than others, but hopefully as more people are vaccinated things will begin to simplify and proof of vaccination for COVID-19 will be all that's necessary for international travel. But, not yet. My belief is that once a major destination begins to accept this, others will soon follow suit or potentially lose another year of tourists and the income they generate for their economies. Take Niagara Falls, Ontario for example. The shutting down of the U.S./Canadian border absolutely crushed this popular tourist destination last year. By the end of May, 2020 the city's financial losses in tourism revenue reached $7 million. Of course this was a necessary step at that time taken by both countries because of the virus, but now with vaccinations on the rise if the border does not open by Memorial Day this year for vaccinated individuals another season of lost revenue is imminent. For St. Maarten, my hope is that by mid-summer simple proof of vaccination will be all that's necessary.

In spite of the vaccinations, because the USA is still having about 50,000 deaths per day, Canada just released that the border will not open until at least September. Of course this is subject to change if conditions improve.

50,000 deaths a day....??????

that must be in “Canadian” numbers

Don't know if it's Canadian numbers, but not right, for sure..

50,000 new cases per day not deaths.

It should change the calculus from:
Status quo: “we must protect the masses that cannot protect themselves from this risk”
Future State: ”protection available worldwide to be chosen and you chose not to protect yourself from this risk”

Whether taking this protection becomes mandatory as a condition of entry/carriage will be interesting.

We took many vaccines and prophylactic pills for a recent Asian trip. No issues. We did not get a flu shot for the trip. The real threat on the trip was dengue fever - but no preventative available. We went anyway.

This vaccine, taken last week, has had a number of odd/noticeable side effects to us including Blue palms/fingers. Hopefully it is working on us as intended.

Do we want to take it every year like a flu shot as an annual condition of entry to SXM. No, we hope this fades away.

Yes, 50,000 new cases per day in US, Sorry for the error. Too many deaths everywhere for sure.

Pelican Pirate.....BLUE PALMS? What about the soles of your feet? Seriously. I know someone who also had that.

Many people types and many different reactions. But only Marvin Hagler's family say he died after his 2nd dose of Mederma. Larry Gatlin said he ended up in hospital after 2nd dose Mederma but is now well. My husband's brother ended in hospital after 1st dose Mederma with severe respiratory problems now he's afraid to get the 2nd dose. And now hubby is thinking we should wait to get it.

Actually, that's not correct either. Yesterday we had 41,000 new cases, and 629 deaths. Today 31,000 and 438. Both new cases and deaths are on a downward trend worldwide.

The numbers are looking better and better here in the states! The point I am trying to make is that if governments like St. Maarten go into the summer months too cautious and refrain from opening things up for vaccinated individuals, people will take their vacation plans elsewhere -- if they have that flexibility. After all, one of the main benefits of having a vaccine is the prospect of opening things back up in destinations where tourism revenue is so critical to the local economy. If such places procrastinate as we head into spring, many people will likely make vacation plans to destinations that have far less 'red tape' and hassle (i.e., Mexico).

And for RonDon, I would not pass up getting the vaccine. Yes, some people have some significant see effects by the vast majority of people have minor side effects that dissipate within 24 to 48 hours. And, many other people have no side effects at all. The alternative is taking your chances with COVID-19 disease that has killed over 530,000 people.

Monday there were 57,081 new cases and the daily average is significantly down but still north of 50k


US daily case report link

I guess it just depends on which statistics you believe. Here's a link to the Worldometer site, which shows less than 50,000 cases. https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/

Also, every time a person tests positive, it's reported as a new case, even though it may be the same person being tested and still showing the virus. People are being tested multiple times as the CDC is recommending and some employers are requiring for their employees to return to work. I personally believe the the reported numbers are inflated.

I received my second Moderna vac back on Feb. 9 and had no side effects whatsoever. My wife felt a bit "odd" the next day or two, but continued with her normal activities. It's hard to say how people will react, but severe side effects are the exception, not the rule. I see many people in my dental office every week and the worst I've heard was just a funky feeling for a day or two. I wouldn't be too worried about it, although if I had a different job I'm not sure I would've gotten it. I did it mainly for my patient's peace of mind. We're going to Orient Beach next month unless the world gets paranoid again.

I agree with using the worldometer site. I've been using it since last spring and two friends, both physicians use it as well. Seems accurate and very detailed.

I got the same numbers on three sites including the CDC which I linked below....and "people being tested multiple times" like for travel or work and testing negative multiple times should decrease the positivity percentage not increase it....yes some who are positive might test positive a few times but those tests done for travel far outweigh those people,

CDC daily positive covid case chart link

...and using your link the 7 day average daily case number as of yesterday is 55,423 (Worldometer)

I think, maybe sooner than later, the Covid vaccine will become another vaccine listed on your card for entry into countries, the same way you have to show proof of vaccination for various countries now. While the vaccines aren't always mandantory, we got several before going to Peru, and of course, when traveling to Africa, I know that there are several vaccines that are either required or recommended.

I had Covid last March. I got my first Moderna shot a week ago. Felt a little cruddy the day after the shot, but NOTHING like last March (trust me, waking up in the middle of the night because your lungs sound like rice crispies is down right scary...)

I have no issues with St. Martin doing what they feel is necessary to keep their population healthy. Rather than pushing for them to drop testing requirements we should be pushing for access to the vaccine for the residents as well. In time travel will return to something relatively normal if we don't get impatient now and undo all the progress currently be made in the US towards curbing this cootie. Unfortunately this thing doesn't recognize borders.

My body just had a visceral reaction to this vivid description of your lungs! Glad you are better and got your first dose. I got my first Moderna shot last week too. Cannot wait for this thing to be over.