TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Who is leaving when and trying BinaxNow!

Ok - maybe this will make it easier. I fly 10/29 and will try the telemed tests on 10/27. Will take the IDNow test on 10/26 - JUST IN CASE!! And will report back. Just difficult following all the threads.

Kim--OK, I guess I'm missing something here. The ID Now at Walgreens is free.. Why would anyone risk not getting accepted with using a Binox Now home test, unless you take an ID Now test and it doesn't come back in time?? Why wouldn't the default be ID Now and then you have a Binox Now test in reserve if necessary? Considering we KNOW the Binox Now proctored test is acceptable to come back into the US, and if you have it, you can always use it for that???????????

Because it’s a major pain in the butt!!! You can only set up testing 2-3 days in advance which makes it’s hard for no retired people. Or setup testing at a walk in clinic, and while the testing is free the “dr visit” gets a copay. Which is weird but last time I had met my deductible so didn’t mess with it. I would do it this time as a back up in case the other doesn’t work. I use these tests to come home without an issue. I have two trips scheduled and then another in February with my “cape cod kid”. And if she she can do this it would be fantastic as testing is awful out there!!!

Kim, we are flying on the 26th. Will be submitting our BinaxNow results on the 24th. Will post as soon as we know!

Kim,

On the official EHAS site, it clearly states:

"Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted."

See link: https://stmaartenehas.com/travel-requirements/

I think where the confusion comes in is some test sites use the the Binox Now test.

However, based on what the EHAS sites says, and there response to others email, I am sure a home Binox test WILL NOT be approved.

We will find out soon. The real problem is that there are THREE BinaxNow tests.
There is the non-proctored, at home test which is clearly not accepted.
There is the BinaxNow test used at some test sites which is definitely accepted.
Then, we have all the confusion about the emed proctored home test. I'm betting EHAS doesn't know the difference between the last two.

..or maybe it will. Lots of mixed messages from the EHAS people....and just because a proctored home test does get the OK doesn't mean the next one will...so....that is NOT on my to go list

Related but not to SXM....we are going to Aruba end of October and I have been looking at CVS/Walgreens testing potential....Walgreen's looks the best with the IDNow BUT, as mentioned. you can only schedule two days, maybe three, in advance....result time NOT an issue though. CVS on the other hand has appointment potential at least 10 days in advance BUT it's the PCR/NAAT test not done onsite...soooo....a couple of days for the result.

Decisions, decisions,,,,,,,or ....make the CVS appt way in advance as a backup plan B to the Walgreens plan A....at least there is something that will be done

Honestly, I think it is luck of the draw on who reviews the data submitted to EHAS. As I mentioned in another post, we submitted 3 of the exact same test (Non-proctored Let’s Get Checked) PCR test (collected at home and overnighted to a lab) and 2 of 3 accepted. We then submitted the BinaxNow Ag test (proctored eMed) and it was accepted. For reference this is what the BinaxNow Ag test results look like from eMed (just blocked my name).

100% correct. They do not know what they are doing and the inconsistency shows as much.

..We are going back Oct 25 and planning on using BinaxNow (eMed) again with Walgreens as back up..We have some kits for going and return that will expire so nothing to lose…

Exactly

If it was me i would just go to Walgreens. Why pay for something that you have to risk being denied and still go and get the Walgreens free as a "back up" that is accepted. I don't follow the logic.

I agree, it is free so I do not see the issue. You can get the appt. 3 days before and now it seems that Walgreens/CVS are getting the results back in a timely fashion. So why bother spending your vacation $$ on something that is not accepted (by their rules) but might be accepted by chance. So you spend $$ and still get the free testing as a backup just to test the portal??? I also do not follow the logic.

RSPMan, Please let us know how it turns out.

i am just hoping by March, testing will be a thing of the past...both coming and leaving. Last two years got tested at an urgent care facility close to home, and had results within 24 hours. If needed, will do that route again. Did do it a month ago, for a cruise, and sweated that the lab they used would be acceptable to Royal Carribbean. Turns out the lab used is the one that Royal Caribbean uses for their tests, so it was a no brainer.

Because they come in a package of 6. We use them to come
Home from the US. So because some are told yes, some are told no and some have used it and had no issues it’s worth trying. And just maybe if they get approved enough the government will realize it’s no different than having it done at Walgreens - again they are not sent to any lab. So it’s really a no brainer.

I understand but good luck.

Exactly Kim. I will let everyone know how it goes for us on Oct 23rd using BinaxNow (eMed).

Can anyone tell me where I can find a list from the St Maarten government on what tests Antigen tests are accepted? I keep hearing different things but just want to confirm what tests are acceptable.

CanadianCutie, here is the link to the official government website: https://stmaartenehas.com/travel-requirements/

I read that it has to be a lab test, but I wish they would list the acceptable brands of tests. Thank you for the link!

CanadianCutie They will accept a Rapid Antigen test. I would recommend Shoppers Drug Mart .Walk in and $40. It is accepted by EHAS. I have received my authorization already to enter tomorrow Oct 7 via Sunwing direct flight from Toronto YYZ. I just posted a new thread regarding my experience

The test completed by Shoppers Drug Mart in Ontario is the Abbott Panbio Covid -19 Rapid Antigen Test which has been approved by Health Canada and accepted by EHAS

From the SXM government website:

"The list of acceptable rapid antigen tests includes the Abbott (CGIA Panbio COVID-19 Ag rapid test), Becton Dickinson (CGIA BD Veritor COVID-19 test), Roche (SD Biosensor F test) and Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card. The list is constantly being reviewed as government continues to seek the most accurate alternatives to the PCR test which remains St. Maarten’s gold standard testing method."

Good experiment! Please do post your results. I am confident in the research that I have done, getting guidance on here, and the letter that I have received that clearly states what test I was inquiring about. Safe travels!!! can't wait till 10/30!

Fantastic!!! Once again, thanks bdeeley!!!

BinaxNow (and other antigen tests) have been accepted for quite some time...that's not the issue. It is the home testing that is the issue. BinaxNow performed at Walgreen's or another facility IS acceptable...it's not the test...it's where it is performed

Also from the SXM government website:



With that said the report that the proctored test produces might get accepted if someone at EHAS doesn't read it completely and thinks it's a BinaxNow done outside the home

I have reviewed that page numerous times, but I'll be darned if I can find a list or link to the actual brands of tests that are accepted. If anyone has a link to that information, I also would love to see it.

Never mind. bdeeley provided the link on another thread:

LINK

I'm finding that testing was a breeze in July, not so much now--we were planning on using Walgreens IDNOw test again, however, there are little to no appointments available. I'm beginning to worry -- may have to look into other options.

And that is the issue!! Not the procedure but getting the testing done. I have many options where I am located. But they are becoming less and less! I’ve made 5 or 6 trips this year. Just getting harder and harder to get easy testing done.

Lots of people need testing for work and traveling.

Maybe the early bird will get the worm...i went on early this morning and there were a few appts for three days out. I guess I will shoot for very early next or Tuesday to try and schedule for Thursday. Feels like the old days when I would try to use frequent flyer miles to fly!

Exactly!!!!

Exactly...I have been looking both in the am and early afternoon just to see if there are appointments and the afternoon always has zero anywhere within 20 miles and the morning usually has "few" or "some" appointments available at all locations (Walgreens)....CVS seems to be fine with availability 10 days in advance but that is for the rt-pcr

Just a dry run trying to plan for a few weeks from now

Yes.. most mornings I run a test to see where and when Walgreen's appts are available. Seems consistent in my area that I need to be up early AM to get an appt 2 days out with many times slots available. My backup plan is the Antigen test 48hrs from travel.

Has anyone been able to determine when Walgreen's opens up the new 3 day schedule (i.e. midnight, 5 am, etc.)? Thanks

I checked this am around 6:30 and only times available were Saturday for my local area.

About 6 weeks ago, Walgreens was showing NO appointments available anywhere within 45 minutes of our house, but by the time we left home, there were a couple of places within about a half hour, that we were able to find appointments. I guess it goes in spells..

Hmmm...good question

..and....re:

If that would be Walgreens the map shows that the antigen test is only available in Maine.....that would be my backup plan also but it's not available in MA/RI