Today I emailed EHAS to hopefully get my own copy of approval for the BinaxNowAg home test. I have copied the exchange below.
From: Linda Lehmann <lindalehmann@outlook.com> Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 4:12 PM To: EHAS <EHAS@sintmaartengov.org> Subject: Clarification re Abbott BinaxNow Ag home test
Good morning – I hope this finds you well.
The Government of Sint Maarten’s web site states (at St. Maarten now accepting Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card rapid antigen test (sintmaartengov.org)) that you accept the Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 AG Card test. I would like written confirmation that you also accept this same test when administered at home in combination with eMed telehealth services and eMed lab results. This test is monitored/proctored via telehealth services and will provide the needed documentation of a negative result to then be uploaded to your EHAS website.
I am sure you receive many, many similar emails daily and very much appreciate the time taken to review and respond to my inquiry. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please stay safe.
Linda Lehmann -------------------- From: EHAS <EHAS@sintmaartengov.org> Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 1:24 PM To: Linda Lehmann <lindalehmann@outlook.com> Cc: wendydoranyorkehas@gmail.com; Richardson, Sherry <Sherry.Richardson@sintmaartengov.org> Subject: RE: Clarification re Abbott BinaxNow Ag home test
Good afternoon Miss/ Mrs. Lehmann
Thank you for contacting St. Maarten EHAS.
My name is Jacquelyn Walker I am one of the EHAS administrative assistant with the island of St Maarten.
Pursuant to your question below yes the Abbott ID Now is accepted but results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted. Hope to have informed you adequately.
Regards, St, Maarten Tourism Bureau, Jacquelyn Walker, -------------------- From: Linda Lehmann <lindalehmann@outlook.com> Sent: Monday, October 4, 2021 4:28 PM To: EHAS <EHAS@sintmaartengov.org> Subject: RE: Clarification re Abbott BinaxNow Ag home test
Is this true even though the home test is the Abbott BinaxNow Ag Card test? Others who have asked the same question I am asking have been told it is accepted, so I am confused. I look forward to your clarification. -------------------- Good afternoon Miss/ Mrs. Lehmann
Thank you for contacting St. Maarten EHAS.
My name is Jacquelyn Walker I am one of the EHAS administrative assistant with the island of St Maarten.
Pursuant to your question below the test is accepted but home test kits collection we don’t accepted. Please visit our webpage stmaartenehas.com travel/ requirements.
So . . . . my concern is that both bdeeley and KathyD242424 have received emails stating that the BinaxNow Ag Card test is accepted. BUT neither of their emails say the BinaxNow Ag HOME TEST is accepted.
I guess my question is: can EHAS tell from the test result that it was the home test?
So . . . . my concern is that both bdeeley and KathyD242424 have received emails stating that the BinaxNow Ag Card test is accepted. BUT neither of their emails say the BinaxNow Ag HOME TEST is accepted.
I guess my question is: can EHAS tell from the test result that it was the home test?
Exactly the point hat has bee made a few times regarding the home test vs the same test done outside the home....and the second part is a valid question
We are flying out on Tuesday, Oct 26th. I plan to take the emed test on Sunday morning and submit the results to EHAS. If we fail to receive approval, We'll have to rush down for a test on Monday morning. Not ideal, but when I booked the Tuesday flight, the rules were different. Will anyone be trying the emed test before the 26th?
KathyD asked exactly the same question, mentioning multiple times that it was the proctored home version and received a positive response. KathyD's interaction is below and just happened a couple of weeks ago. I have bought the tests, will try with trip in November, but I will have a rapid PCR test as a backup and will bring 2 with me for testing, for the flight home. I will still save money.
KathyD's correspondence with EHAS
Subject:Clarification Re: BinaxNow Ag Home Test (monitored)
Good Afternoon Sir or Madame, I hope that this emails finds you well.
I am writing to you to get written confirmation that the Government of St. Maarten will accept the BinaxNow Ag Home Test, the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Card Home Test is FDA Emergency Use Authorized for entry into your country of St. Maarten. This test combined with eMed telehealth services, and eMed lab's results meet conditions of proof of negative COVID-19 test by the CDC. This test is monitored/proctored via the telehealth services and will provide the needed documentation of a negative result to then be uploaded to your official website.
I am sure that you are inundated with these types of emails, so I truly appreciate the time taken to review and respond to my inquiry.
I look forward to your response, please stay safe.
Respectfully,
Kathleen Marie Doherty
I received the following reply at 5:56pm
EHAS 5:56 PM (34 minutes ago) to me
Good afternoon Ms./Mrs. Doherty
Thank you for contacting SXM EHAS
My name is Sherry Richardson, and I am one of the EHAS administrator for the island of St. Maarten.
I think it's important to clarify there is no lab directly involved in the BinaxNow test. It's all done at home and nothing is sent anywhere for testing. The reference to the eMed lab results could be interpreted as suggesting the sample will be sent in and then analyzed. That's part of what makes all of this so confusing. There are "at home tests" done without any lab analysis and then "at home collection tests" that allow you to collect at home and then send the sample in for the actual results. I struggled through all of the details when trying to figure out what tests might be options for getting back into the U.S.
Pretty sure there isn’t a lab at all. The at home tests is just that at home. The other option is the “telemed option”. So someone watches you do it and reads the results. Nothing is sent to a lab. Even at Walgreens my understanding is it’s done there. Same with the walk in clinics. Tests are done with the AG card in office. Info keyed in and email sent.
Kim, you are 100% correct, there is no lab. The BinaxNOW testing is done immediately following the swabbing of the nose. Using the reagent provide in the kit along with the BinaxNOW AG card, the sample from the swab is inserted into the test card that has had the reagent applied and in 15 minutes the results are shown. At home, at a pharmacy or at any other location the test is the same. BinaxNOW is the most readily available and widely used rapid antigen test in the country for Covid. It is used by all states for rapid testing, many universities, most professional sport leagues, etc.... These sources can use the test and produce results by becoming a CLIA certified location.
I will use the test and submit it, and have a secondary test as a backup if my initial submission is denied. I will continue to push for the BinaxNOW testing, even though now it seems that the left and right hands are in disagreement, because acceptance by SXM would benefit all travelers from North America and greatly ensure an easy and optimum solution for complying with SXM's entry requirements.
This is why this all has to end as I doubt the outcome justifies the cost/expense of testing and the potential for scaring travelers from even booking.
If you are going to do something, require vaccination to avoid insurance and be done with it.
The difference between a BianaxNOW done at an official test site and one done at home is at the test site, someone trained to perform the nasal swab takes the sample and performs the test process. At home, the person testing themselves takes the nasal swab.
I agree that it is a very small difference, but evidently enough difference that it will not be accepted by SXM's EHAS review. The application will be denied.
On the official EHAS link it clearly states: "Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted."
I agree with the Vacced to avoid insurance but that is just the money part....it's the testing that is the issue...cost is NOT a factor with most testing (IdNow/PCR. NAAT). Your choice to do something else
The difference between a BianaxNOW done at an official test site and one done at home is at the test site, someone trained to perform the nasal swab takes the sample and performs the test process. At home, the person testing themselves takes the nasal swab.
I agree that it is a very small difference, but evidently enough difference that it will not be accepted by SXM's EHAS review. The application will be denied.
On the official EHAS link it clearly states: "Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted."
I don't like it any more than you.... but currently the BianaxNow Home test will not meet the requirements.
The last few trips I have pulled up to Walgreens and swabbed my own nose at the drive through. Heck for surgery I had to swab my nose at two different hospitals - Danbury CT and Greenwich CT (it was a rough year!!). So no one trained to swab is doing it. To return to the states these tests are approved. They literally watch you swab your nose and run the test. We shall see. If the island wants a successful winter season and still test, they better approve these home monitored tests.
The difference between a BianaxNOW done at an official test site and one done at home is at the test site, someone trained to perform the nasal swab takes the sample and performs the test process. At home, the person testing themselves takes the nasal swab.
Actually, at most " official" test sites, ie., Walgreens and other test locations, much of the swabbing is done by the individual being tested. The only real difference is at sites like walgreens, they(pharmacy techs) are placing the reagent on the card and inserting the swab, and then reading the results. Today, Self-swabbing is very common in covid testing.
If it was me i would just go to Walgreens. Why pay for something that you have to risk being denied when you can go to Walgreens and get tested for free knowing it will be accepted. I don't follow the logic.
Kim, I agree with you 100%. I think people need to continue to push for these proctored home tests, BinaxNOW, to get accepted. The official PDF reports issued by EMED comply with all of the requirements for information that SXM is requesting. I share what I know on the forum, but I am trying to do more, in a direct way, to get these tests accepted.
As you see, from many of the responses that come from EHAS, They say that BinaxNOW, is or will be accepted once it receives an EUA from the FDA. The BinaxNOW test received its EUA from the FDA in August 2020, more then 13 months ago. The test was approved and accepted by their government in December 2020 for entry into SXM.(published on their government website) You would think that the people with responsibility for review of applications would know all of this information. Maybe have a published set of accepted policies that are readily handy to review.
I am frustrated, but not upset with the people doing reviews, I think they are trying to do the best they can with limited resources. I am constantly reminding myself that it is a country of less than 45,000 people and a Government that is very small. They have limited manpower and resources to accomplish everything. Mistakes happen, and things get overlooked but hopefully patience and perseverance will win out.
If it was me i would just go to Walgreens. Why pay for something that you have to risk being denied when you can go to Walgreens and get tested for free knowing it will be accepted. I don't follow the logic.
Exactly...assuming you can get an appropriate appointment....that is my plan A
The difference between a BianaxNOW done at an official test site and one done at home is at the test site, someone trained to perform the nasal swab takes the sample and performs the test process. At home, the person testing themselves takes the nasal swab.
Actually, at most " official" test sites, ie., Walgreens and other test locations, much of the swabbing is done by the individual being tested. The only real difference is at sites like walgreens, they(pharmacy techs) are placing the reagent on the card and inserting the swab, and then reading the results. Today, Self-swabbing is very common in covid testing.
The main difference as I see it: Even with the self swab the person at the window is watching (actually told me to stop before I got started) to listen to ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS then to swab -- being careful about how you put the swab back in the container, etc and then to the lab, even if just in store. The home test are for your convenience for covid testing and there are not really any controls even with the zoom. I can fully understand SXM and other places refusing to accept the home test.
On Zoom, the person watching you could/would be giving you those same directions. They could void the test at anytime, if you are not following procedure, or if there is any doubt of the result. They even tell you not to open the box before the zoom call starts as that can be a cause for failure. I can fully understand that the United States and other countries accept the proctored BinaxNow for entry.
"Even with the self swab the person at the window is watching (actually told me to stop before I got started) to listen to ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS then to swab -- being careful about how you put the swab back in the container, etc and then to the lab, even if just in store." That is how ours was at Walgreens too.
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