TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin New testing site at PJIAE

Government of Sint Maarten
2thSpofnsomreSdi ·
** COVID-19 testing facility now open at Princess Juliana Airport. **
The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richard Panneflek hereby informs the public that PJIAE in cooperation with Healthcare Laboratory (HCLS), has opened a COVID-19 testing facility at Princess Juliana Airport. Passengers who are traveling to US territory, both tourists and residents can make use of this facility from 11am until 4 pm daily. This service will offer quick and easy antigen rapid testing for $110. The Minister of VSA Richard Panneflek was invited and paid a work visit to the facility where he was met by Dr. Fey van de Dijs.

I am not familiar with the time frame for results from the antigen test. Is this something that can be done upon arrival at the airport for your return flight?

It is my understanding that results from an antigen test can be had within 15 minutes, so I guess the answer is 'yes'.. Although I think in under to check in, one has to already have their negative test result.

Not unless you are returning to U.S. within 48 hours of your arrival.

If one must get a test at the airport... I have words to say, I'm just not saying them.

I'm not sure I understand the negative comments about this. If I can arrive at the airport a couple of hours before my flight home, get my test and result in a timely manner, and therefore not disrupt my precious vacation time, a few dollars more is worth it to me. What needs to be published is the timing for results that are acceptable to the US airlines, as it's my understanding that the airlines are being held responsible for complying with the testing requirements.

Thank you, GaKaye. My thoughts exactly, but are we missing something?

Right on.👍👍👍

I would definitely do that versus wasting a vacation day.
Thank you for the great info.
carib cheers,
doctorj

By the time we left and got back to our condo unit, it took us about half a day - and that was with a quick turnaround by the doctor's office. It was well worth it, but if we'd had the opportunity to do it at the airport, we certainly would!

Georgia--I agree with you. I have to assume that this is the reason why they are doing this, to allow people to do just that? Although as I said before, you would not be able to check in unless you have your negative test result, so this would have to be outside security. The other possibility is that they are getting this set up for the cruise passengers. However, to me it would make more sense if the cruise line does all the testing onboard ship.

I was hoping there would be something in the Daily Herald about this, but I haven't seen anything so far.

There is a big tent set up I think near the employee parking is.

Where did you go? We made 8:00am appointments before we left for the isla d. When we arrived at our appointment they took us both in, nasal swab and we left, went to the pharmacy in Simpson Bay and were sitting at Yacht Club by 8:30! Results arrived via email before we left to go back to the condo. I would definitely use Medwork again.

Testing at airport is a good option for some.

Kim--thanks for the feedback on Medwork. That sure seems like a good option for those in Simpson Bay..

How much was the test by Medwork?

According to this link, it's $70 for antigen test and $125 for PCR at Medwork.

Kim I searched for Medwork but found nothing on Forum. Would you mind sharing details about location, hours, cost? Thank you

Louise--I have posted the link to the SXM official site here SEVERAL times, which includes the information for Medwork, as well as a couple of other sites, including in the post right above yours. Link

Carol, I didn’t see the hyperlink and as I said I used the search feature for Medwork and it yielded no results. Thank you for pointed out the link.

Louise--I think you must have not been doing something right, as I got 15 responses by just putting in Medwork and 1 month.

Let us hope the new virus does not come to SXM. I am not sure the tests would be the same for this new strain that is starting to spread in Europe? https://www.barrons.com/news/we-are-in-a-new-pandemic-due-to-virus-variant-merkel-01616466604

My only concern is that you are relying on an absolute two to three hour result time or you aren't leaving. Too risky for me with the airport folks involved.

Current vaccines are effective to this variant. All the more reason to get vaccinated.

Wendy--how does this have to do with the original topic of this post??

Hello everyone
I have been subscribed to this site for a while and always enjoy and learn from the contributions of members. Even I don’t contribute much.
I love St. Maarten and is my favorite and happy place in the world where I mentally “escape” when I need solace and peace.
I d visited every ear for the last 30 years even after Hurricanes Luis and Irma. Five months after Irma (even we were destroyed by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico) I went to try to help a couple of friends there.

I was also there Feb 2020 when corona virus was not the most important issue.

Beside that, I’m trying to understand why so many members of this site during the pandemic go through a lot of hardship, procedures, risks, uncertainties to get there. Unless you are assisting with your expertise you are not needed there yet.


Why not rediscover options around our towns, neighborhoods. It will be simpler and easier for everyone even san Martians that have to deal with additional outside contagions.
Thank you for your feed back.

Luis

Plane and simple. St Maarten needs us for their economy and are well equipped to welcome tourists that want to go.

fanprSXM--Sorry, I totally disagree with your principle. Sint Maarten's people NEED tourists, period. Those that can see their way clear to jump through all the hoops to go to the island are VERY needed and appreciated.

What makes you think we're not doing both? We've been supporting our local businesses since the beginning of this pandemic, by ordering carry-out meals when restaurants were closed, and later visiting restaurants in person when they opened. We also jumped through all the hoops to spend our usual three weeks in St. Martin this past November/December, knowing that the island economy relies on tourism. We posed no threat to the island residents, as we knew we were healthy, and we contributed quite a bit to the island's economy during those three weeks. The island does need us, and they want us to be there.

Thanks Carol and Scubaman.

Couldn’t disagree with fanpr more. St Maarteners ( martians ? Lol) need us now more than ever. While we certainly patronize local establishments ( very difficult to do btw as we are in NY and restrictions are onerous to say the least) we will jump through whatever hoops SXM requires to visit if they will have us. We’ve visited 3 times since Covid and it’s gradually picking up but nowhere near usual levels. We got tested to go , most recently had to get tested to return ( only took about an hour and a half total - went to a pharmacy on the French side) and had to get another test at home to return to work! So not really worried that I might be bringing a contagion to SXM. The real point is, SXM is hurting economically and we love the Island so we decided to visit. The airlines are checking health documentation very carefully ( from what we observed)so the risk is minimized. The Islanders are getting vaccinated as well. Anyway, why judge ? Stay at home if you’re uncomfortable but the rest of the world needs to return to normal ASAP.

Louise, when you use the search feature, it's important to check the "search entire posts" box to get the best results. The default is "search titles only", and you won't get a hit on anything that doesn't have your search word in the actual title of the post. Hope this helps.

Doctor's office in Phillipsburg. No complaints, but it took a lot of time including driving there and back, finding parking etc.

Edited to add: This was in early February and testing was difficult to find, especially if you wanted until the last minute, like some did. Some labs were turning people away with no available appointments. It seems there's a lot more information now and they have figured things out a bit better.

Louise - I Messaged David on FB the link.

https://medcare.aw/en/covid-test-sxm/