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Joined: Apr 2003
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We are both reading the SXM Travel Requirements and find many confusing/conflicting statements.
This is my understanding:
For a Saturday departure we need a test no sooner than Wednesday then after we get results (two hours in our case) you send in the EHAS form. Once you get approval back from SXM, your good to go.
My wife and I are both confused about the phrase "For travelers from the USA, US territories and Canada the time frame remains 120 hrs. prior to departure."
Are we making this harder than it looks.
Dolfer
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For a Saturday departure you will need to be tested 120 hours prior to your last flight to SXm....So Monday testing....after your time of departure from the USA...antigen 48 hours
Wednesday is only 72 hours (3 days)
This is assuming you are not arriving from the ABC islands
Last edited by boucharda; 04/18/2021 03:05 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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Are you confused about the phrase because of the inclusion of “remains”? The requirement for everyone with a pcr test was 120 hours, then it was reduced to 72 hours for everyone except travelers from the US and Canada where the requirement is still 120 hours.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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First, are you talking a PCR test or an antigen test?? For a PCR test, it is 120 hours for someone from the US or Canada. It is 48 hours for an antigen test. And as eightzerobits said, they changed the PCR test requirements back to 72 hours for everyone EXCEPT the US and Canada.
Carol Hill
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But according to Spirit Airlines it is 'WITHIN 120 hours'.
Dolfer
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Correct....for the rt-pcr
Probably would be helpful if you mentioned what type of test you are referring to
Last edited by boucharda; 04/18/2021 03:49 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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But according to Spirit Airlines it is 'WITHIN 120 hours'. Yes. That is for the PCR test. 48 for the antigen. All these times are from the last flight to SXM. Not arrival to SXM.
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I am getting the PCR test. however due to todays debate I changed that appointment to tomorrow morning when it was scheduled on Wednesday. Both times are however 'within' 120 hours, right?
Dolfer
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Yes. To play it safe when we leave CLT on a Saturday at 9:35am I'm scheduling my PCR test on Monday afternoon after 1:00pm because I have a 3 hour time difference from the west coast and not sure how that will be factored in to the 120 hour window.
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Are you staying on the French or Dutch side? If Dutch you are fine, if French I think it’s 72 hours. You would have to check with your hotel. Oddly it’s different and landing on the Dutch side and going to a French side hotel could create an issue on timing
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Dolfer
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Ok. Then Dutch side rules.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Do NOT rely on what the airlines says. Go with the official SXM website.
Carol Hill
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Do NOT rely on what the airlines says. Go with the official SXM website. But, what if the airline in question will NOT allow boarding? While I agree. Go with the official government website, they have not made it easy with the flip-flopping of entry requirements.
J.D.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Do NOT rely on what the airlines says. Go with the official SXM website. But, what if the airline in question will NOT allow boarding? Show them the official site and educate them.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Do NOT rely on what the airlines says. Go with the official SXM website. But, what if the airline in question will NOT allow boarding? Show them the official site and educate them. Good luck with that.
J.D.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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The airlines are likely getting the entry requirements from the IATA Timatic database, rather than sourcing it themselves. It’s difficult, but not impossible, for them to mess it up.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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I would require them to look at the official website..
Carol Hill
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I’m a little bit confused if flying from Us to SXM IS IT 120 hours and is the PCR TEST good for use in SXM . hopefully things might change by october / november
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Link in the sticky at the top of this forum says it all (SXM link updated April 2nd) https://stmaartenehas.com/travel-requirements/
Last edited by boucharda; 04/19/2021 08:34 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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I’m a little bit confused if flying from Us to SXM IS IT 120 hours and is the PCR TEST good for use in SXM . hopefully things might change by october / november Because of a major mistake and failure on the part of our hospital lab to submit out PCR samples, we were forced to use the rapid antigen test which we had done at an Urgent Care facility in a nearby town. It allowed for a 48 hour window which was about all we had left when we discovered the original error and we walked out of the clinic with our lab report in hand. No problems at all. I’m hoping by the time you travel they may have done away with most of this testing but if not, c’est la vie!
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
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Joined: Mar 2017
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Yes, 120 hours PCR test and 48 hours for Antigen test all within the time of the last flight leaving the US.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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Yup...I hope by our January trip there will be less hoops to squeeze through
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Went to Sint Maarten in late March. I recommend the antigen test. In NJ you can get the result in 15 mins at a number of places. So less stress on getting result. PCR test may take a day or more.
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Joined: Aug 2010
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But with the antigen test, it shortens your window to get clearance and approval from EHAS. We have a Monday departure, so we would have to take the antigen test on a Saturday and hope to get the okay back from EHAS before an early flight Monday morning. Then, we have to hope and pray that our application isn't denied for some obscure reason, leaving us scrambling to get approved the day before departure. Not sure I could handle the stress.....lol.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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Here is what we are doing and I hope it helps someone. We fly out of JFK on Sunday morning and staying on the French side. For a number of reasons, we won’t be able to do the rt-PCR at 72 hours but we will be tested within the 120 hours to satisfy the Dutch side. We arrive at JFK on Saturday early evening and we will go to Jet Blue Terminal 5 where we can get a 48 hour Antigen test whose manufacturer is approved by the French side - one of the Abbott tests. I confirmed the test. Our French side hotel requires us to email the antigen results before we arrive. If worse comes to worse, we can take an Antigen test within 24-48 hours of arrival on the French side. We will take this test, if need be, at the Red Cross in Hope Estates.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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Here is what we are doing and I hope it helps someone. We fly out of JFK on Sunday morning and staying on the French side. For a number of reasons, we won’t be able to do the rt-PCR at 72 hours but we will be tested within the 120 hours to satisfy the Dutch side. We arrive at JFK on Saturday early evening and we will go to Jet Blue Terminal 5 where we can get a 48 hour Antigen test whose manufacturer is approved by the French side - one of the Abbott tests. I confirmed the test. Our French side hotel requires us to email the antigen results before we arrive. If worse comes to worse, we can take an Antigen test within 24-48 hours of arrival on the French side. We will take this test, if need be, at the Red Cross in Hope Estates. Sounds like a good plan.
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So I am STILL a bit confused about all this timing. We travel to SXM this Saturday. We changed our test appointments from Wednesday (72 hours) to yesterday (120 hours), got our negative results and the EHAS applications has been sent and approved, so we're good there.
However, now I read Spirit Airlines requirements for taking off from Chicago is to have a negative result 72 hours before the flight. What will they say when they see my test was 120 hours, not 72 hours prior to the flight?
Dolfer
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I'm not sure where you are reading this, but suggest you 1) call the airline and 2) be prepared with a print-out AND a link to the official SXM website. The rule is 120 hours for a PCR test if one is from the US or Canada. Period.
Carol Hill
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So I am STILL a bit confused about all this timing. We travel to SXM this Saturday. We changed our test appointments from Wednesday (72 hours) to yesterday (120 hours), got our negative results and the EHAS applications has been sent and approved, so we're good there.
However, now I read Spirit Airlines requirements for taking off from Chicago is to have a negative result 72 hours before the flight. What will they say when they see my test was 120 hours, not 72 hours prior to the flight?
Dolfer
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If I were you I’d ask Spirit that question and not rely upon us well intentioned travelers. My best guess is they SHOULD follow the government rules but that’s not saying they will.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
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If I were you I’d ask Spirit that question and not rely upon us well intentioned travelers. My best guess is they SHOULD follow the government rules but that’s not saying they will. 100% correct pat. It is not a chance I would take without getting clarification from Spirit.
J.D.
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And for the return test if you do the antigen test, is it 72 hours or 48 hours prior to departure?
Definitely THE most frustrating and stressful trip preparation we have ever experienced including a 15 day trip to Italy.
Dolfer
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Spirit Airlines website states 5 days and is a tad misleading (Rapid Antigen) but probably should be printed as evidence Spirit Flight Schedule: Spirit has resumed service and is currently operating all scheduled flights to St. Maarten. Book now.
Testing: All travelers are required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen test result, which has been taken within 5 days of travel.
Quarantine: There are currently no requirements for quarantine.
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Joined: Mar 2009
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And for the return test if you do the antigen test, is it 72 hours or 48 hours prior to departure?
Definitely THE most frustrating and stressful trip preparation we have ever experienced including a 15 day trip to Italy. It's 3 calendar days on the return to US. Sounds like Spirit hasn't got the right people following these rules. Another reason to avoid them.
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I just looked at the Spirit website and under their COVID-19 Information Center (top of the webpage) Travel Requirements section, if you drill down to St. Maarten, it says 5 days for either a PCR or Antigen test. So even though they are incorrect about the Antigen test time frame, you should be OK if this is what the ticket counter personnel are going by.
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Correct. Posted the quote from Spirit two responses above yours
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