TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin US CDC to allow self tests for re-entry into US

Link

I really don't know how all this would work from outside the country, but something worth exploring, I guess.

I was just gonna post the same thing and have the same questions. It looks like the test will have to be observed remotely and results confirmed by the manufacturer....sounds complicated but might just become the norm in the future. It would definitely lessen the concern of travel to places where testing might be an issue....

Cost? Test + remote observation and report = ?

Same thing to go to a NY Yankees game at Yankee stadium! Do it at home in front of video, get results in minutes, cleared with results sent to smart device. Show for entrance to the stadium.

Not to ask a stupid question, but I don't understand what physically happens with the test. I guess you don't submit it to a lab for testing?

Abbott has something. Called the BinaxNow, it’s what many offices use. For a hot second United was allowing it. But then stopped it. You do Telehealth and someone watches you administer it. They watch and see the results. Then will email you approval. Abbott has an app for it already.

OK, wow, that seems pretty easy. Cost?

The most expensive one, Lucira CheckIt, is $55.

A good article comparing three of these tests -
https://www.technologyreview.com/20...-review-accuracy-binaxnow-lucira-ellume/

Are these these accepted for returning to US?

Uhmn, yes, that is what this thread is about..

BinaxNow


Carol - this is the test I referring to

That sure seems cheaper than $70 a person at most places. My laptop doesn't have a camera, so if we wanted to do this, we'd have to figure that out, maybe take one from the office computer., which is a plug in one.

iPad, iPhone etc.

So, has anyone here used any of these tests to return to the US, or seen any reports of anyone who has?? I am contemplating whether to buy them, as it sure seems a lot cheaper than $70 a person...

Came back yesterday.

Orient Beach Hotel arranged for a private nurse to do our tests. $45.00 per person.
We were also allowed to have three friends that were staying on the Dutch side join us at our room for testing.
It was very professional and efficient. The nurse provided the paperwork needed for the airline crew.

I can’t tell you how much we enjoyed Orient Beach Hotel. What a beautiful hotel! The people are amazing!

carib cheers,
doctorj

Honestly I think I will just do the 70 at the place near Avantika. Super easy and stress free. I liked the BinaxNow concept but if internet isn’t strong enough you are screwed. Though it will work on a smartphone as well.

BinaxNow for Travel

i posted about these DIY tests a couple weeks ago

DIY Covid Tests

we had our tests done yesterday at Pharmacie Soualiga in Marigot…free, no questions about where you’re staying…did take a little over 2 hours, my wife was the 50th person tested that day…testing was to start at 9, we got in line at 9:30, with like 40+ people in front of us…funny thing, no one got in line behind us for like 45 minutes, then eventually another 10-15 people joined the queue…according to sign on door, antigen testing is done Tue & Thur, 9-10:30, Sat 9-11:30…but i’m assuming they tested everyone behind us, and we were tested around 11:20

not the most efficient process since just one lady does both the testing and processing of the results…she hands you a form with “negative “ checked, which you then take around the corner into the front entrance of the pharmacy (testing is done at back entrance) where after a few minutes you are then given the official test results document

OK, so the answer is, that no one has done this yet? If we don't do the Binax thing, will do the place near Avantika, as I'm not willing to waste a couple hours of our vacation waiting in line, even if it is free. Which, according to official French side policy, you're not supposed to use their testing unless you are staying there or live there, so I personally wouldn't do it anyway..

yeah well, it was either get free COVID tests or go hungry that night

Your budget is that tight. OMG

thank goodness for casinos!!

Again, has anyone done this??? We are thinking about buying the test and trying it. It saves a lot of money..

I have done it here in the states and it works great and is very easy. I'm tested weekly and purchased 10 of these kits which is 20 tests. (2 per kit). I'm taking 3 boxes with us on our upcoming trip. We need for tests and I'm taking an extra 2 in case someone messes up.

Look at the BVI site, there is someone that is posting there that is doing doing blood test,(easy), that is good for several months and is approved by the CDC for travel back to the us if you have been vaccinated

Is this the test all over the TV now? So you administer it via a telemedicine type format? And if negative the results show up in your NAVICA app? I had looked into it briefly when United first announced it. But then it was removed. I’m thinking it’s the same test

OK, I think we will take a chance with this and see what happens.. The Binax Now is $24 for two tests at Walgreens.

OK, back up. Apparently the $24 test is NOT acceptable for return to the US. There is a Binax Now test that is acceptable, but it's the one where there are 6 in the package for $150. Link So that is effectively more than the $70 PP for us. If you have a bigger group, it might make sense though.

No, Carol, they are the same. What you see at Walgreens is a single box of two tests for $23.99. The 6 pack you just mentioned is for 6 boxes, totalling 12 tests, which is effectively $25 per box. You can even find them cheaper, because my local Wal-Mart sells a single box of 2 tests for $18.98

OK, that link in the story said the 2 test kit is NOT acceptable.. Did the test you took have the live supervision over the internet??

Yes it did

OK, unless I find something else in writing that says that the two test kit is acceptable, we won't do it, as that one story says specifically that it is NOT acceptable...

Carol, I stand corrected. The initial BinaxNow tests that I did receive, were from a supplier. I reached out to them this morning and they did tell me that they were procured from Emed and included the Telehealth. The 2 test individual boxes that you I did purchase over the counter at Walgreens do not have the Telehealth option, so they do not comply with CDC guidelines.

Carol, select Walgreens and CVS pharmacies are offering the BinaxNOW kit, individually, including Telehealth, which fully complies with the CDC guidelines for $35 per test kit. I have included a link below to the information. If you do this, you need to pack the test kit boxes in your carry-on luggage.


BinaxNow - Individual kits with Telehealth for travel

OK, thanks for the research. At that price, for just the two of us, I think it's not worth it, so just will go with a place on SXM.

bdeeley, not sure if you have left for SXM and are back yet, or will be traveling in the near future. Regardless, can you keep us updated as to how this worked leaving the Island? How long you had to wait for a Proctor and those details as well as what your experience was at the SXM airport coming home? I'm interested in this for my upcoming trip and would like to know how it goes beginning to end; please and Thank you!! Safe travels!