TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Stricter US entry requirments being considered

I thought this was already in place? We had to test negative before we left SXM 3 weeks ago to return to US.

These proposed requirements are more onerous, Louise. Testing one day prior to departure, retesting after arrival, and mandatory quarantine after arrival regardless of test results. Sheesh!!

Much more involved with testing before and after. Might want to read full article. We'll find out on Thursday.

I tested 3 days after returning and quarantined until I got negative results.

Makes me have second thoughts about traveling to SXM this year. Not sure it’s worth the hassle.

I am with you and that thought.

We're supposed to arrive in two weeks. Our plan for return testing was to just do the Binax video monitored option. Assuming the test is still accepted with the new regulations, we'll just have to do it the day before we leave rather than three days out. However, if additional restrictions are imposed or we are required to get a lab test, we may end up postponing. The combination of this and the protests happening at once is a little much.

As I posted in another thread, the cruise lines are now reacting to the French side situation.

The "French Side situation" is a different issue. This relates to EVERYONE returning home to the USA and will be a real pain in the butt. I guess they don't put much faith in a negative result (two) for a vac'ed person if they are thinking about a one week quarantine for everyone. I don't think that will be part of the final requirement and I do realize that it takes time for the virus to be detected. Maybe daily tests for two weeks? (sarcasm)

Since November 1, 2021 if you were fully vaxxed you did not need to test to enter SXM if you were from the US. Upon return to the US you needed a negative test within 3 days of arrival. And the US accepts the proctored tests from Abbott and Veritas Genetics. No quarantine upon arrival to the US and no need to test again once home

Yup....but that potentially will change soon. Testing for everyone (twice) for those returning to the US. Quarantine is a maybe....I wonder if SXM will also change their entry requirements

I with Mowtown's post.

Unless I didn't quite fully understand this news article, I wonder about having to test one day before flights home. If my flight leaving SXM is scheduled for a Monday how do I get a SXM test on a Sunday?

I wish ALL governments set up testing at ALL airports to be done prior to departure.

As long as these tests are still accepted (they're approved for now), you can do it yourself with video monitoring on a Sunday.

https://store.optum.com/shop/products/abbott-binaxNOW-COVID-19-ag-at-home-test-kit-3-pack/

Thank you for this post dvesc. I know very little about technology so having to"video" scares me more than trying to attach to that form froSXM Health. Easier to not go to SXM or fly anywhere else.

Until the government attempts to control my life more I can still drive cross country. But I'm sure that will change soon. Might as well use my vaccination card to wipe my A@@ it's not worth anything. I didn't want to get "stuck" in the first place but did it so I could travel to SXM.

According to this story, a quarantine requirement isn't likely to happen.

"A mandatory quarantine for US citizens returning home is not under consideration, according to a White House official."

https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news...01-21/h_ef7e40d7c981cb51a2000c2cd083bf24

I am 100% with you on all accounts. This was alleged to be the key to freedom to travel.

Not being able to travel to really anywhere is the least of my concern if that happened. Unless the Gov is not telling us everything they know it sounds like a total knee jerk reaction to something we don't know fully about and many say is not going to cause any major sickness, much like a bad cold. More travel restriction would ruin world economies and life's. Talk about Gov control of everything we do. It has gotten beyond crazy.

I agree that it is definitely a knee jerk reaction but I don't go by what "many say" ....

.I would guess that the symptoms/effects of the strain would be at LEAST the same as the strains presently around which was kinda more than a bad cold for the over 1600 that died yesterday from the virus in the US

I can’t help but wonder how many of those 1600 were fully faxed.

As for me, I’m NOT planning on relying on ‘what many say’ or what the government, particularly this government under these circumstances, might or might not do.

I will live my life and at the same time I will fully respect the rights of others to make these choices for their own reasons. To each his own.

We’ve been back to the island three times since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, each time complying with all the rules and suggestions. And I might add, they were three trips among the possibly 50 to 75 we’ve made there over the years. No regrets and many great memories.

How are they going to be able to enforce a quarantine? People with a positive test here in the US are not doing that and no one seems to care.

The quarantine will not be part of the new restrictions....posted above

All speculation on the quarantine. Wait for the official announcement tomorrow then the court battle.

https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/cdc-has-identified-first-case-omicron-variant-us

First omicron traveler tested positive in California

That's no surprise.

Canada announced yesterday that any travellers that are fully vaccinated and arriving in Canada will have to have a PCR test done upon arrival and quarantine until you receive your results, which could be possibly be up to 72 hours. This is even though you have to have a valid PCR test done before you travel to Canada. It’s suppose to start in the next few days. This is not good news for the travel industry. If my accommodations for this January were refundable at this point, I’d seriously consider cancelling my vacation.

Yes, we're in the same boat. I believe we are on the same WestJet flight down on January 13th. Our refundable period just expired, unless either Sint Maarten or Canada shuts down air travel. Since we are staying for 5 weeks we would take a big hit, so I guess we now consider ourselves committed!

The Canadian government hasn't provided a lot of details on the type of arrival test. I believe the current random tests on arrival for non-Canadians are rapid tests. I have no idea how they would process regular PCR tests for everyone, without hiring massive numbers of staff, and that is not likely to happen. About the only "good" thing, if I can even call it that, is that the tests are at their expense.

The quarantine info about what you can and can't do, until you receive a negative test result, are also a bit lacking in detail. We normally spend the night before departure, as well as our night of return back in Toronto, at the Sheraton Gateway. If we have to isolate in the hotel room on our return, then we will likely just cancel that stay and head straight home. At least at home we can isolate much more easily and in more comfort!

We still have 6 weeks, so I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that they will back off a bit and this is just a bit of an overreaction. We were so pleased when SXM eliminated the pre-arrival Covid test for those fully vaccinated. Hopefully that doesn't change either! Quite frankly, we feel much the same as you. Between all the new testing and potential quarantine hassles, plus the unrest on the French side, we would likely consider not coming after all.

P.S. - I sent you a PM.

Doesn’t Canada have a history of greater restrictions? Last spring a Canadian traveler on Dawn Beach told me he would have to quarantine in a hotel upon return. I think we are seeing reflex responses and options but that the actual rules may be significantly less onerous than those being currently discussed. The second to last thing Biden wants to do is put brakes on the recovery and economy. Much of this would get better if more people realized that real American patriots put what was best for the country foremost and became VACCINATED!

It looks like the testing requirement for return to the US will be changed from 72 to 24 hours which brings up an issue with early AM flights on Monday back to the US since most places are not open on Sunday to perform the test.....

Massive over reaction!!

Absolutely...and it shows zero Government confidence in the way Covid is/was being handled by them....if measures against Delta et al are not sufficient then the country needs an explanation rather than "We do not know yet"

I'm sure this will not be the last varient....we can't knee jerk and change everything to each new one....

I think not knowing all of the details about the severity of the Omicron variant and its potential resistance to vaccines makes it impossible to have full confidence the existing measures would work. Until more is known, tightening restrictions rather than just hoping for the best is understandable. It's a hassle in some cases, but if it potentially reduces the chances I'll be on a plane in two weeks with Covid-positive travelers, I'm willing to deal with the inconvenience. Honestly, I'd feel better if testing was required to get into SXM like it was last year. I know that's not a popular opinion.

No issue at all if you are carrying proctored, rapid antigen tests with you. With a decent WiFi connection you can take the test 24/7 and have the results in less than 20 minutes. Easy, peasy, lemon squeeze! Also, the testing requirements for reentry to the US is in days not hours, currently, so you might have 30 or 40 hours between your test and your flight.

Recent article this morning about testing requirements.
LINK
No mention of quarantine.

Winter COVID 19 campaign...

https://www.wcax.com/2021/12/02/biden-launching-winter-covid-19-booster-testing-campaign/

It covers making testing free for health care policy holders and stresses the importance of boosters for COVID 19.
Pfizer claims will have a vaccine for Omicron in 100 days? International travelers returning or entering the U.S.A need a negative COVID test within in 24 hours to entering the U.S.A. Mandatory masks on flights, rail and public transportation.
So basically we are back to square one and nothing is going to be normal...

This links to the White House statement with some additional details.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing...iants-as-we-battle-covid-19-this-winter/

IT IS NOT 24 HOURS, BUT 1 CALENDAR DAY.

A HUGE, HUGE DIFFERENCE.

A man returning to his home in Minnesota from a convention at the Jarvis Center in NYC has tested positive for the Omicron variant. So it begins...

And....?